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. 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 starred in films and the TV series 'Reba.' She is also a businesswoman with ventures including a restaurant and clothing line, demonstrating her diverse talents and entrepreneurial spirit.

Sections (4)

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

1971: The Singing McEntires release a single

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

1974: Singing at the National Finals Rodeo

In 1974, Reba McEntire sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, encouraged by her father. It was there that she was heard by country artist Red Steagall.

March 1975: Trip to Nashville with her mother

In March 1975, Reba McEntire and her mother traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to record a demonstration tape 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.

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.

1975: Steagall offers to help Reba get a recording contract

In early 1975, Red Steagall contacted Jacqueline McEntire and offered to help Reba get a recording contract.

January 1976: First recordings for PolyGram/Mercury Records

In January 1976, Reba McEntire made her first recordings for PolyGram/Mercury Records.

September 17, 1977: Grand Ole Opry Debut

On September 17, 1977, Reba McEntire made her Grand Ole Opry debut. Her act was cut to one song, "Invitation to the Blues," due to a surprise appearance by Dolly Parton.

1977: Release of debut album 'Reba McEntire'

In 1977, Reba McEntire's self-titled debut album 'Reba McEntire' was released by Mercury Records.

1978: Collaboration with Jacky Ward

In 1978, Reba McEntire collaborated with Jacky Ward on the double-sided single release of "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' album

In 1979, Reba McEntire's second studio album, 'Out of a Dream', produced by Jerry Kennedy, was released. The album's cover of Patsy Cline's 'Sweet Dreams' became her first top 20 hit as a solo artist.

1980: Forming her own band and releasing 'Feel the Fire'

In 1980, Reba McEntire formed her own band, including her siblings Susie and Pake McEntire, and hired a new manager. Also in 1980, she released her third studio album, 'Feel the Fire', which included her first top ten hit, "(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven".

1981: Release of 'Heart to Heart' album

In 1981, Reba McEntire released her fourth album, 'Heart to Heart', which became her first disc to chart on the Billboard Country Albums list. Its lead single, 'Today All Over Again', became her highest charting country single yet, reaching number five.

1983: Release of 'Unlimited' album

In 1983, Reba McEntire had her first number one hit with 'Can't Even Get the Blues'. She also released her album 'Unlimited'.

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

In 1984, Reba McEntire signed with MCA Records and released her breakout album, 'My Kind of Country'. The album spawned two number one Billboard country singles and marked a shift towards a more traditional musical style.

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 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', which blended traditional country with a contemporary sound. The album's title track reached number one and won a Grammy Award.

1986: Release of What Am I Gonna Do About You album

In 1986, Reba McEntire released her twelfth studio album, 'What Am I Gonna Do About You'. The album's title track became a number one hit on both the Billboard country chart and the RPM Canadian country chart.

1987: Release of The Last One to Know album and first Christmas collection; Carnegie Hall debut

In 1987, Reba McEntire released her thirteenth studio album, '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 one of her three Grammy Awards.

1988: Release of Reba album and taking more control of career

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

1989: Marriage to Narvel Blackstock

In 1989, Reba McEntire married her manager and former steel guitar player Narvel Blackstock in a private ceremony on a boat at Lake Tahoe. Together, they formed Starstruck Entertainment to manage her career.

1989: Release of Sweet Sixteen album and first live project

In 1989, Reba McEntire released the album 'Sweet Sixteen', which was a return to neo-traditionalist style. Her first live project, 'Reba Live', was also released in 1989.

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 album

In 1990, Reba McEntire released the pop-oriented album 'Rumor Has It', which became her first album to reach the top 40 of the Billboard 200. The album was a commercial success.

October 1991: Release of For My Broken Heart album

In October 1991, Reba McEntire released her sixteenth album, 'For My Broken Heart', dedicated to the deceased members of her road band. The album contained songs of sorrow and lost love.

December 1992: Release of It's Your Call album

In December 1992, Reba McEntire released her seventeenth album, 'It's Your Call', which reached the top ten of the Billboard 200. It spawned several country hits, including a duet with Vince Gill.

1992: Opening of Reba's Ranch House

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

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 dress choice created controversy.

1994: Release of Read My Mind album

In 1994, Reba McEntire released her eighteenth studio album, 'Read My Mind', which reached number two on both the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart. Five major hits came from the release.

1994: Release of album 'Read My Mind'

In 1994, Reba McEntire released the commercially successful album 'Read My Mind', which featured the number one country single 'The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter'.

1994: Grammy Award Win

In 1994, Reba McEntire won one of her three Grammy Awards.

1995: Release of Starting Over album

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

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

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

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

In 1996, Reba McEntire released the commercially successful album 'What If It's You', featuring the number one country single 'How Was I to Know'.

June 1998: Release of If You See Him album

In June 1998, Reba McEntire released the 'If You See Him' album, which featured the duet "If You See Him/If You See Her" with Brooks & Dunn. The album produced three more top ten country hits.

1998: Release of album 'If You See Him'

In 1998, Reba McEntire released the album 'If You See Him', which featured the number one country single 'If You See Him/If You See Her,' a duet with Brooks and Dunn.

1999: Release of two albums: Christmas collection 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. The latter featured the top five country songs "What Do You Say" and "I'll Be".

2001: Role in 'Annie Get Your Gun' and TV series 'Reba'

In 2001, Reba McEntire played Annie Oakley in the Broadway musical 'Annie Get Your Gun'. Also in 2001, she starred in The WB's TV series 'Reba'.

2001: Release of I'm a Survivor and temporary musical hiatus

In 2001, Reba McEntire released "I'm a Survivor", which became a top five country hit and the theme song to her television series. She then focused on acting 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" as a lead-up to her album release after a break.

November 2003: Release of Room to Breathe album

In November 2003, Reba McEntire released her album 'Room to Breathe', marking her return to recording after a four-year hiatus. The album featured a guest appearance from Vince Gill and spawned the number one song "Somebody".

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

In 2005, MCA released the double-disc compilation titled Reba #1's while she was in between albums.

September 2007: Release of Reba: Duets album

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.

2013: Tied Record for Consecutive CMA Female Vocalist Wins

In 2013, Miranda Lambert tied Reba McEntire's record for winning the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Award four years in a row.

2016: Record for Consecutive CMA Female Vocalist Wins

In 2016, Carrie Underwood joined Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert in holding the record for winning the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year Award four years in a row.