Reba Nell McEntire was born on March 28, 1955 in McAlester, OK . She is the daughter of Clark McEntire who is a professional rodeo rider and Jackie , a school teacher. As a child, she also was a rodeo rider along with her sisters Alice and Susie and her brother, Pake. But her mom taught her music. Reba and her sisters and brother formed a group called "The Singing McEntires." She was discovered in 1974 singing the National Anthem at the National Rodeo Finals in Oklahoma City. Red Steagall had heard her sing and suggested that she go to Nashville . She was hesitant to pursue a solo career but eventually decided to take a chance..
Reba signed with Mercury Records in 1975 and released her first album that year. She wasn't a big hit at first, her first singles didn't make the top 40. She married Charles Battles around the same time and completed her teaching degree. Finally in 1978, she was getting noticed on the charts but she didn't have any significant hits until 1980 when ( "You Lift Me)Up To Heaven" went to number eight. She stayed with Mercury Records for a few more years. She gathered quite a following at this time and in 1982 finally had her first number one single, "Can't Even Get The Blues."
Reba switched to MCA Records in 1984 and at MCA, she established herself as one of the decade's most popular artists. She has sold over 20 Million albums and winning four Female Vocalist of the Year awards from the Country Music Association. She has over 24 straight Top Ten Hits, and having over 14 number one singles. Reba divorced Charlie Battles in 1987 and married her road manager and steel guitarist, Narvel Blackstock. In 1990 Reba and Narvel had their son Shelby. They have both assumed complete control of her career from recording to marketing and formed their own company "Starstruck Entertainment."
In the 1990's Reba has remained the most successful female country vocalist of the decade. Both her albums and singles are consistently charted in at the top Ten, with such hits as "Fancy," "Is There Life Out There, "Take It Back,"The Heart Won't Lie," "She Thinks His Name Was John." She also began an acting career, starring in such hits as "Tremors," "Is There Life Out There," and "Forever Love." She also has become an author, writing her own biography, "Reba--My Story" and just recently "Comfort From A Country Quilt". She is one of the top ten grossing live performers in United States, her tour with Brooks and Dunn ended as the highest grossing concert tours in country music history and her shows are second to none!!!
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