Reba: The Lesson She Never Forgot

Reba McEntire is busier now in her life and career than she has ever been. She's a coach on NBC's The Voice. She just released a new album and a lifestyle book filled with tales, recipes, and fun ideas for simple living. The book is called Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots.

We talked with Reba recently, and she told us an important lesson she learned in life from her parents that she practices to this day. She said, "Oh my gosh, I had to learn it the hard way several times. If you say you're gonna do something, go through with it. That teaches you to be careful what you volunteer for and don't just spout it out, 'Oh, yeah, I'll be there.'"

She added, "If you're not gonna be there, don't say it because people depend upon you, and they schedule their time around what you just said. So, honor their time and their life by only doing what you say you're gonna do. Do what you say you're gonna do. Keep your word. Show up on time and be prepared."

Reba recalled watching her parents practice that, "That was a strong point from Mom and Daddy to keep your word. There are a lot of times that Daddy signed big contracts for cattle or buying land with just a handshake. There was no contract 'cause they knew he was good for it."

She concluded with a smile, "They were good people."

Last month (10/10), Reba released a new song and video for the Not That Fancy album that accompanies the new book. The song is called "Seven Minutes In Heaven," and it is a moving tribute to Reba's mother, Jacqueline, who died at the age of 93 in March of 2020.

The lyrics to the new song include, "If I had seven minutes in Heaven / I know just what I'd do / Take a walk down those golden streets / And find a quiet corner booth / I wouldn't spend all my seconds asking God questions / 'Cause He knows I'd be back soon / If I had seven minutes in Heaven / I'd spend them all with you."

I have had the pleasure in my long career covering country music of interviewing Reba McEntire many times throughout the years. Reba makes it a point to note that she remembers you and that she has enjoyed with you on each occasion. I have spoken with Reba at her Starstruck office in Nashville many times, as well as at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, after award shows, and even once in 2001 when she announced her Reba sitcom was coming to T.V. A number of journalists watched the pilot episode of the sitcom along with her before it aired.

Reba never disappoints; she is as sweet, considerate, and friendly as she seems on T.V. or at concerts or award shows. That's one reason it was so fun to watch her play a villain on ABC TV's Big Sky this past year. She is nothing like her Big Sky character. It's interesting to be around her, knowing how legendary she is when she is just so normal and unintimidating.

Through the years, she told me many things about her life and career, and I thought it would be fun to share five things over the years that she told me.

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Reba discussed her friendship with Kelly Clarkson; they were friends even before Kelly was involved with Reba's son, Brandon Blackstock. "Kelly Clarkson and I have become great friends. And I am so thrilled that not only are we friends and buddies, but we get to sing together," referring to their duet "Because Of You."  "We've gotten to go on trips together. As a matter of fact, she and I, and my niece Calamity McEntire and two of her buddies went over to Yosemite national park. It was the first time that I've ever gotten to go over there since we've been in L.A. since the television show. I called Kelly and said, 'You wanna go on a road trip?" and she said, 'Right on! I am right there with ya.' And we've just had a blast."

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Reba talked to me about homesickness, being on the road, and how her band and crew are her family. She said in 2008, "At the end of this hard day, we're gonna go have fun with each other. We can go out to eat and laugh. I didn't have a lot of people around me to make me feel comfortable, confident, and safe. This is very important when you're an entertainer doing what we do because we're insecure little people, and it takes a long time to build that confidence; you need strong people around you to make you feel safe so that confidence can grow and build. It;'s in there, but it's gotta be nurtured. We're very fragile."

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Reba shared with me her thoughts on staying on her feet on stage. As far as she can remember, her last stage fall happened 30 years ago. She said, "Well, I don't know that I've had very many. I fell down in 1985 on stage; it was in the dark, thank goodness. But all you can do is just get up, dust yourself off, and say, 'Did you see that' and if they say yeah, say, 'Well, good cause I ain't gonna do it again."

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On the fact that she has never met the reclusive songwriter of "Fancy," Bobby Gentry, who retired from the industry years ago. Reba told me, "I've never met her. I've never talked to her. And I've talked to so many people who have gotten to work with her and do stay in communication with her. And I would say, 'Hey, would you tell her that I'd really like to meet her sometime or talk to her via email or text or smoke signals or anything? I don't care. I just really like to communicate with her. I'd love to know where did she get the idea of 'Fancy' and what was the thinking behind it when she released it?'

She added, "I'm just a huge fan. I think she's a genius. Great songwriter, beautiful woman, great singer. And it's just been kind of... she's a mystery woman."

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Reba told me what her acting dream roles would be. Reba said at the time, "There are a lot of times when I go to movies, and I say, 'Why didn't they cast me for that part? I could have done that.' A dream role would be ten different kinds because I would like to hit all facets, you know, the kooky neighbor down the hall or the heroin in a Western; there are just so many different types. I love to watch television. I love movies. So, acting is something that entertains me."