Career Timeline of Reba McEntire: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Reba McEntire built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Reba McEntire, known as "The Queen of Country," is a highly successful American country singer and actress. Starting in the 1970s, she has sold over 75 million records globally and charted over 100 singles on Billboard's Hot Country Songs, with 25 reaching number one. Beyond music, McEntire has acted in films and starred in the television series *Reba* for six seasons. She also has entrepreneurial ventures, including a restaurant and clothing line.
2 days ago : Reba McEntire at 70: Rodeo Throwback, Trailblazer Success, and Career Peak.
Reba McEntire, a country music icon, shares a rodeo throwback photo. Her 'Trailblazer' is gaining recognition and she achieved a new career peak through a superstar collaboration.
1971: Release of "The Ballad of John McEntire"
In 1971, The Singing McEntires, a trio formed by Reba and her siblings, released a single called "The Ballad of John McEntire" about their grandfather. It was pressed as a single by a local label and distributed regionally.
1974: Singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the National Finals Rodeo
In 1974, Reba McEntire was encouraged by her father to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. She got the gig with the help of family friend and rodeo announcer Clem McSpadden, which led to her being heard by country artist Red Steagall.
March 1975: Trip to Nashville to Record Demo Tape
In March 1975, Reba McEntire, accompanied by her mother, traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to record a demo tape, with the help of Red Steagall. This trip marked a pivotal moment in Reba's decision to pursue a professional country music career.
November 1975: Signing with PolyGram/Mercury Records
In November 1975, Reba McEntire signed a country music recording contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records, marking a significant step in her professional music career.
1975: Signing with PolyGram/Mercury Records
In 1975, Reba McEntire signed a country music recording contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, with her mother. This opportunity came about after being heard singing at a rodeo event by country performer Red Steagall, who helped her secure the contract.
1975: Opportunity to Record with Red Steagall
In early 1975, Red Steagall contacted Jacqueline McEntire and offered to help Reba get a recording contract after being impressed with her talent. Steagall stated he could not take all three siblings, but he could take Reba.
January 1976: First Recordings for PolyGram/Mercury Records
In January 1976, Reba McEntire made her first recordings for PolyGram/Mercury Records, produced by Glenn Keener with a Countrypolitan arrangement.
September 17, 1977: Grand Ole Opry Debut
On September 17, 1977, Reba McEntire made her Grand Ole Opry debut. Her act was cut from two songs to one, "Invitation to the Blues", due to Dolly Parton's appearance.
1977: Release of Debut Album
In 1977, Reba McEntire's self-titled debut album was released by Mercury. The album showcased a country crossover style similar to Barbara Mandrell and Tammy Wynette.
1978: Collaboration with Jacky Ward
In 1978, Reba McEntire collaborated with country artist Jacky Ward on the double-sided single "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight"/"Three Sheets in the Wind", which became her first top 20 hit on the country chart.
1979: Release of Out of a Dream
In 1979, Reba McEntire's second studio album, Out of a Dream, was produced by Jerry Kennedy and released. The album's cover of Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams" became her first top 20 hit as a solo artist.
1980: Formation of Band and Release of Feel the Fire
In 1980, Reba McEntire formed her own band, including her sister Susie and brother Pake McEntire, and hired a new manager. Also in 1980, "(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven" became her first top ten hit on the country songs chart and was included on her third studio album, Feel the Fire, which was released in October.
1981: Release of Heart to Heart
In 1981, Reba McEntire's fourth album, Heart to Heart, was released. It was her first disc to chart on the Billboard Country Albums list and its lead single, "Today All Over Again", became her highest charting country single yet, reaching number five.
1983: "Can't Even Get the Blues" Reaches Number One
In 1983, Reba McEntire's single "Can't Even Get the Blues" reached the number one spot on the Billboard country chart. It was followed by her second number one song "You're the First Time I Thought About Leaving". Both singles appeared on her 1983 album Unlimited.
1984: Signing with MCA Records and Breakout Album
In 1984, Reba McEntire signed with MCA Records after being unhappy with her career trajectory at PolyGram/Mercury. Her second MCA album, My Kind of Country, released in 1984, became her breakout release, featuring two number one Billboard country singles and shifting towards a more traditional musical style.
1984: Breakthrough with My Kind of Country
In 1984, Reba McEntire signed with MCA Records and released her seventh studio album Just a Little Love. After rejecting the initial country pop arrangement, she collaborated with Norro Wilson to produce the album. The album My Kind of Country, released in 1984, became her breakthrough recording, featuring the number one singles "Somebody Should Leave" and "How Blue". This led to her winning the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year accolade.
1985: Have I Got a Deal for You album release and World Series performance
In 1985, Reba McEntire released the album "Have I Got a Deal for You", following a traditional country format. On October 19, 1985, she also performed the National Anthem at Game 1 of the 1985 World Series.
January 17, 1986: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry
On January 17, 1986, Reba McEntire was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
February 1986: Release of "Whoever's in New England"
In February 1986, Reba McEntire released her ninth studio album "Whoever's in New England", blending traditional country with a contemporary sound. The title track reached number one on the Billboard country chart and earned McEntire a Grammy Award.
1986: Release of "What Am I Gonna Do About You"
In 1986, Reba McEntire released her twelfth studio album "What Am I Gonna Do About You". The title track became a number one song on the Billboard country chart and the RPM Canadian country chart.
1987: Divorce from Charlie Battles
In 1987, Reba McEntire divorced Charlie Battles and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to further pursue her career.
1987: Release of "The Last One to Know" and "Merry Christmas to You"
In 1987, Reba McEntire released her thirteenth studio project, "The Last One to Know", and her first Christmas collection, "Merry Christmas to You". Also in 1987, she played Carnegie Hall in New York City for the first time.
1988: Release of "Reba"
In 1988, Reba McEntire released her pop-inspired fifteenth studio album "Reba", which included covers of pop hits and produced number one Billboard country singles.
1989: Marriage to Narvel Blackstock
In 1989, Reba McEntire married her manager and former steel guitar player Narvel Blackstock at Lake Tahoe in a private ceremony. Together, the pair formed Starstruck Entertainment.
1989: Release of "Sweet Sixteen" and "Reba Live"
In 1989, Reba McEntire released the album "Sweet Sixteen", a return to neo-traditionalist style, and her first live project, "Reba Live".
January 1990: Film Debut in Tremors
In January 1990, Reba McEntire made her film debut in Tremors, marking the beginning of her acting career.
1990: Release of Rumor Has It
In 1990, Reba McEntire released "Rumor Has It", a pop-oriented album that reached the top 40 of the Billboard 200 and became her highest-selling album.
October 1991: Release of "For My Broken Heart"
In October 1991, Reba McEntire released her sixteenth album, "For My Broken Heart", dedicated to the deceased members of her road band. It contained songs of sorrow and lost love.
December 1992: Release of "It's Your Call"
In December 1992, Reba McEntire released her seventeenth album, "It's Your Call". It reached the top ten of the Billboard 200 and spawned the country hits.
1992: Opening of Reba's Ranch House
In 1992, Reba McEntire opened Reba's Ranch House in Denison, Texas, a residence for relatives of patients at Texoma Medical Center.
1993: Collaboration with Linda Davis and CMA Awards Controversy
In 1993, Reba McEntire collaborated with Linda Davis on the single "Does He Love You", which became a number one hit. They performed the duet at the CMA Awards, where McEntire's red dress caused controversy.
1994: Release of Read My Mind
In 1994, Reba McEntire released her eighteenth studio album, "Read My Mind". The disc reached number two on both the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart.
1995: Release of Starting Over
In 1995, Reba McEntire released "Starting Over", a collection of her favorite songs originally recorded by others, to commemorate her twenty years in the music industry.
November 1996: Release of What If It's You
In November 1996, Reba McEntire released "What If It's You", a return to a contemporary country sound. The record debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 and eventually topped the Billboard country albums list.
1996: Release of What If It's You
In 1996, Reba McEntire released the album What If It's You, which was commercially successful and featured the number one country single "How Was I to Know".
June 1998: Release of If You See Him and If You See Her albums
In June 1998, Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn released their respective albums "If You See Him" and "If You See Her", both featuring their duet "If You See Him/If You See Her".
1998: Release of If You See Him
In 1998, Reba McEntire released the album If You See Him, which included the number one country single "If You See Him/If You See Her," a duet with Brooks and Dunn.
1999: Release of "The Secret of Giving" and "So Good Together"
In 1999, Reba McEntire released two albums: "The Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection" in September and "So Good Together" in November.
2001: Broadway Debut in Annie Get Your Gun and Launch of TV Series Reba
In 2001, Reba McEntire made her Broadway debut playing Annie Oakley in the musical Annie Get Your Gun. In the same year, The WB launched the television series Reba, starring McEntire, which aired for six seasons.
2001: Release of "I'm a Survivor" and TV series debut
In 2001, Reba McEntire released "I'm a Survivor", which became the theme song to her 2001 television series. She focused on an acting career in the early 2000s and took a temporary musical hiatus.
August 2003: Release of I'm Gonna Take That Mountain
In August 2003, Reba McEntire released the single "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain", marking her return to recording after a musical hiatus.
November 2003: Release of Room to Breathe album
In November 2003, Reba McEntire released her studio album, "Room to Breathe", her first in four years. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard country chart.
2004: Room to Breathe tour
In 2004, Reba McEntire embarked on her first tour in several years, also titled "Room to Breathe", which included 36 cities in the United States.
2005: Release of Reba #1's compilation album
In 2005, MCA released the double-disc compilation album titled "Reba #1's" while Reba McEntire was in between albums.
September 2007: Release of Reba: Duets
In September 2007, Reba McEntire released "Reba: Duets", a collection of duets with various music artists. It topped both the Billboard country chart and the Billboard 200.
2011: Induction into Country Music Hall of Fame
In 2011, Reba McEntire was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Dolly Parton inducted her into the Hall of Fame.
2013: Miranda Lambert Ties Record
In 2013, Miranda Lambert tied Reba McEntire's record for most consecutive Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Awards.
2016: Carrie Underwood Joins Elite Club
In 2016, Carrie Underwood joined the elite club of artists winning the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Award four times in a row, a record previously held by Reba McEntire.
December 2018: Kennedy Center Honor
In December 2018, Reba McEntire received the Kennedy Center Honor.
2018: Horatio Alger Award
In 2018, Reba McEntire was honored with the Horatio Alger Award for Education and Charity Work, recognizing her perseverance and giving back.
2023: Coaching on The Voice
In 2023, Reba McEntire became a coach on The Voice, starting from the twenty-fourth season.
2024: Coaching on The Voice
In 2024, Reba McEntire continued as a coach on The Voice, through the twenty-sixth season.
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