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. Since the 1970s, she has sold over 75 million records worldwide and placed over 100 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, with 25 reaching number one. Beyond music, McEntire has starred in film and television, notably in the series 'Reba,' which ran for six seasons. Additionally, she is a businesswoman with interests in restaurants and a clothing line.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1971: Release of "The Ballad of John McEntire"

In 1971, The Singing McEntires released "The Ballad of John McEntire", a single about their famous grandfather.

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1974: Singing at the National Finals Rodeo

In 1974, Reba McEntire sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, after being encouraged by her father.

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 demonstration tape with the hope of securing a record deal. She was initially hesitant, but her mother's encouragement changed her mind.

November 1975: Signing with PolyGram/Mercury Records

In November 1975, Reba McEntire officially signed a country music recording contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records.

1975: Recording Contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records

In 1975, Reba McEntire secured a country music recording contract with PolyGram/Mercury Records, thanks to the help of Red Steagall, who was impressed by her singing at a rodeo event.

1975: Opportunity from Red Steagall

In early 1975, Reba was offered an opportunity by Red Steagall to record. He said, "I can't take all three. But I could take Reba. She's got something a little different."

January 1976: First Recordings for PolyGram/Mercury

In January 1976, Reba McEntire made her first recordings for PolyGram/Mercury Records. The music was produced by Glenn Keener and featured a Countrypolitan arrangement.

September 17, 1977: Grand Ole Opry Debut

On September 17, 1977, Reba McEntire made her Grand Ole Opry debut, performing "Invitation to the Blues" after Dolly Parton's surprise appearance led to her act being cut short.

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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.

1980: Formation of Band and Top 10 Hit

By 1980, Reba McEntire had formed her own band, including her siblings Susie and Pake McEntire. In 1980, her song "(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven" became her first top-10 hit on the country songs chart.

1983: Success of 'Can't Even Get the Blues' and 'You're the First Time I Thought About Leaving'

In 1983, Reba McEntire's single "Can't Even Get the Blues" reached number one on the Billboard country chart, followed by her second number-one song, "You're the First Time I Thought About Leaving".

1984: Signing with MCA Records and Release of 'My Kind of Country'

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 breakthrough release, featuring two number-one Billboard country singles and signaling a shift towards a more traditional musical style.

1984: Signing with MCA Records and Breakthrough with 'My Kind of Country'

In 1984, Reba McEntire signed with MCA Records. She then released 'My Kind of Country'. This album became her breakthrough recording, leading her to win the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year award.

1985: Release of 'Have I Got a Deal for You' album and World Series performance

In 1985, Reba McEntire released the album 'Have I Got a Deal for You' and performed the National Anthem at game one of the World Series on October 19.

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' album

In February 1986, Reba McEntire released her ninth studio album 'Whoever's in New England', blending traditional and contemporary country styles. The album title track went on to win a Grammy Award.

1986: Release of 'What Am I Gonna Do About You' album and stage show changes

In 1986, Reba McEntire released her twelfth studio album 'What Am I Gonna Do About You'. She also began implementing choreography and experimenting with stage lighting for her shows.

1987: Divorce from Charlie Battles

In 1987, Reba McEntire divorced Charlie Battles and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to further her career.

1987: Release of 'The Last One to Know' and 'Merry Christmas to You' albums and Carnegie Hall performance

In 1987, Reba McEntire released 'The Last One to Know' and her first Christmas collection 'Merry Christmas to You'. Also in 1987, she performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City for the first time.

1987: Grammy Award Win

In 1987, Reba McEntire won a Grammy Award.

1988: Release of 'Reba' album and career control

In 1988, Reba McEntire released the pop-inspired album 'Reba' and took more control of her career by firing her manager and forming her own entertainment company.

1989: Release of 'Sweet Sixteen' and 'Reba Live' albums

In 1989, Reba McEntire released 'Sweet Sixteen', a return to neo-traditionalist country, and her first live album, 'Reba Live'.

January 1990: Film Debut in Tremors

In January 1990, Reba McEntire made her film debut in the movie Tremors, marking the beginning of her acting career.

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1990: Release of 'Rumor Has It' album

In 1990, Reba McEntire released 'Rumor Has It', a pop-oriented album which became her highest-selling album.

October 1991: Release of 'For My Broken Heart' album

In October 1991, Reba McEntire released 'For My Broken Heart', dedicating it to the deceased members of her road band. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

December 1992: Release of 'It's Your Call' album

In December 1992, Reba McEntire's 17th album 'It's Your Call' was released, becoming her first to reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart.

1992: Opening of Reba's Ranch House

In 1992, Reba McEntire opened Reba's Ranch House in Denison, Texas, an extended-stay residence for relatives of patients undergoing treatment at Texoma Medical Center.

1993: Release and performance of 'Does He Love You'

In 1993, Reba McEntire collaborated with Linda Davis on the single "Does He Love You", which became a number-one hit. Later that year, they performed the duet at the CMA Awards where McEntire's dress caused controversy.

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1994: Release of 'Read My Mind' album

In 1994, Reba McEntire released her 18th studio album 'Read My Mind', which reached number two on both the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart.

1994: Grammy Award Win

In 1994, Reba McEntire won a Grammy Award.

1995: Less Favorable Response for "Starting Over"

In 1995 Reba's album "Starting Over" received less favorable response from radio programmers than her album "What If It's You" in 1996.

1995: Release of 'Starting Over' album

In 1995, Reba McEntire released her 19th studio album 'Starting Over', a collection of her favorite songs originally recorded by others to commemorate her 20 years in the music industry.

November 1996: Release of 'What If It's You' album

In November 1996, Reba McEntire released her album 'What If It's You', which returned to a contemporary country sound and topped the Billboard country albums list.

June 1998: Release of 'If You See Him' and Brooks & Dunn's 'If You See Her' albums

In June 1998, Reba McEntire released the album 'If You See Him', while Brooks & Dunn released 'If You See Her', both containing the duet "If You See Him/If You See Her".

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1999: Release of 'The Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection' and 'So Good Together' albums

In 1999, Reba McEntire released her second Christmas album, 'The Secret of Giving: A Christmas Collection', and her 22nd studio album, 'So Good Together'.

2001: Broadway Debut and Launch of TV Series 'Reba'

In 2001, Reba McEntire played the role of Annie Oakley in the Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun. Also in 2001, the TV series Reba, starring McEntire, was launched on The WB.

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2001: Release of 'I'm a Survivor' and TV series

In 2001, Reba McEntire released "I'm a Survivor", which became a top-five country hit and the theme song to her 2001 television series of the same name. McEntire focused on an acting career in the early 2000s and took a temporary musical hiatus.

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August 2003: Release of 'I'm Gonna Take That Mountain'

In August 2003, Reba McEntire released the MCA single "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain", which was included on her album 'Room to Breathe'.

November 2003: Release of 'Room to Breathe' album

In November 2003, Reba McEntire released the album 'Room to Breathe', her first studio album in four years. It 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, 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 'Reba #1's' while Reba McEntire was between albums.

September 2007: Release of 'Reba: Duets' album

In September 2007, Reba McEntire's album 'Reba: Duets' was released, featuring duets with various music artists. The album topped both the Billboard country chart and the Billboard 200.

2011: Induction into Country Music Hall of Fame

In 2011, The Country Music Association announced Reba McEntire's induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

2013: Miranda Lambert Ties Record

In 2013, Miranda Lambert tied Reba McEntire to win the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Award four times consecutively.

2016: Carrie Underwood Ties Record

In 2016, Carrie Underwood joined Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert by winning her fourth Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Award.