Reba McEntire

Reba McEntireGage Skidmore [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

When people hear the name Reba, they automatically think of the sassy red head with the golden throat. Reba has had numerous accomplishments, but it is truly her good heart and perseverance that has made it all possible. She lived her childhood on a 7,100-acre ranch with her mom, dad, brothers, and sisters. Reba’s mother taught all the children to sing. The McEntire children then became the “Singin McEntires,” singing at local events in their hometown of Oklahoma. Reba entered that country music world in 1976. Reba’s style is constantly changing, but she has always stuck to her true country soul. McEntire is not only big on performing, but also big on charity. She spent a lot of time working with different charities, including establishing some of her very own. Reba is known as one of the greatest female country artists of the twentieth century. She is a hero not only for what she brings to the stage, but what she brings to her community.

McEntire not only works in the music business, but also works with her community and fans. Reba was born on March 28th, 1955, and raised on a 7,100 acre-ranch. Her father was a championship steer roper, and her mother was a school teacher and singer. Reba’s mother taught the children how to sing, and they went on the road. In 1974, Reba finally got an unexpected break, singing the national anthem at the National Rodeo finals. Reba had become very successful, and even had her very own tour in 1991. That year, an engine jet carrying her tour manager and seven band members crashed; Reba was heart broken. She didn’t think she could go on with the tour, but the though of disappointing her fans and the memory of her crew gave her the strength to get back up there. Reba has also done a lot of charity work for The Salvation Army, Texoma Medical Center, and The Children’s Medical Research. She was also named one of The Salvation Army's top five greatest Americans. In conclusion, Reba is not only a great performer, but also a great person.

Reba is a hero because no matter what different styles of music people wanted her to try, she always stuck to what she loved, which was her Reba style. “Lord knows I’m country, I don’t sing country songs, and I don’t sing pop, I sing ‘Reba songs” (Mazurkiewicz). Reba’s style is constantly changing, but one thing that will never change is her Reba style. Even when she would sing pop, or R&B, you could always hear the “Reba” in the music. “In spite of her wide view of entertainment, McEntire has always seen music as her bedrock. Her best songs not only incorporate the attitudes and emotional intensity of classic country, they also have important things to say” (Reba BIO). Even though Reba was always trying new things, she still stuck to her classic country, and added important messages into her songs. No other country artists in that era could match her. Reba is admirable because she is always true to herself, and doesn’t let anyone change that.

Reba is hero because she uses her fame and fortune for the good of her community. Reba uses her publicity for the good of her community by working with numerous charities. “Reba’s charity work includes Habitat for humanity, First Book, The Reba Ranch House, The Reba McEntire Center for Rehabilitation and The Reba Mammography Unit” (“Reba McEntire”). The list could go on, but the fact that Reba can take time out of her busy schedule to work with all these charities truly does made her a hero. She does not use her fame and fortune for her own advantage; she uses it for the good of others.

Reba is an inspiration because no matter what, she kept going. Fans have told Reba that her music inspires them to keep going, but there was also a time when Reba’s music saved her: “In 1991, a twin-engine crashed with her tour manager, and seven band members, killing them all” (David Liz). Reba could hardly imagine performing without her tour family, but their memory and the thought that she might disappoint her fans gave her the strength to get back on stage. Reba loved what she did and was good at it, but for some reason she could not hit number one. “To stereo review contributor Nash, the reasons were obvious; executives at Mercury tried their darndest to obscure McEntire’s natural assets” (“Reba” Discovery Bio). People were trying to change Reba into something she wasn’t, and that was why she wasn’t hitting the top spot. Reba still continued to try out different styles until she finally hit number one; she never gave up. No matter what life threw at her, Reba McEntire never quit, never quit giving, which is why she deserves to be recognized as a hero.