15 Things You May Not Know About Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire is one of the biggest country stars in country music (she’s been hailed “The Queen of Country” after all), and while it may seem like fans know everything about the legend, there still may be some facts they’ll be surprised to learn about the star. From her early days in a singing troupe with her siblings to why she turned down a role in one of the most Oscar-nominated films of all time, here are 15 things you may not know about Reba McEntire.

1. Her TV show almost had an entirely different name
It’s hard to imagine McEntire’s successful TV series being named after anyone than the icon herself, but her character’s name and the show’s title was originally Sally until producers decided to change it to Reba at the last minute. Other titles considered include Deep in the Heart, Family Planning and The Reba McEntire Show.

2. She was offered a role in Titanic
Can you imagine Reba in the role of the iconic Molly Brown in the groundbreaking film? The country star was offered the role, but unfortunately had to turn it down due to a scheduling conflict between her tour dates and the film’ shooting schedule. The role famously went to Kathy Bates.

3. She starred in Tremors
Believe it or not, the country singer was a part of the franchise’s first film about hideous, deadly worm-like creatures that attack residents of a town in Nevada starring Kevin Bacon. McEntire plays the character of Heather Gummer, who survived an attack by the creatures and helps to fight them off. It also marks her debut as an actress.

4. She was part of a singing group with her siblings
Before she became a household name, the country star sang in a trio called the “Singing McEntires” alongside her two siblings Susie and Pake throughout their childhood. Not only did she sing, she also played guitar and wrote all of the group’s songs. They split up when McEntire got a record deal in 1974.

5. She grew up on a cattle ranch
While it’s a well-known fact that the legendary star is from Oklahoma, some may be surprised to learn that was raised on a 100-acre cattle ranch. Coming from a family of steer rope champions, her father was crowned world champion three times.

6. She also participated in ranch competitions
Clearly the ranching gene runs in the family! Following in the footsteps of her grandfather and father, McEntire would compete in the barrel race course at various rodeo competitions across the country from childhood through her college years.

7. She was discovered at the National Rodeo Finals
When McEntire was tapped to sing the National Anthem at the 1974 National Rodeo Finals, she had no idea it would help set her on the path to superstardom. Fellow country singer Red Steagall was in the crowd that night and was so impressed with the singer’s performance that he encouraged her to record a demo, which ultimately led to a record deal.

8. She gets her singing chops from her mother, Jacqueline
McEntire’s voice is just one of her trademark qualities and she has her mother to thank for the talent. While traveling to rodeo shows, Jacqueline would teach McEntire and her siblings harmonies. McEntire included her mother and two sisters Susie and Alice on a recording of “I’ll Fly Away” on her 2017 gospel album, Sing it Now: Songs of Faith & Hope.

9. She ran her own cattle ranch as an adult
Her early days on the ranch clearly stuck with the superstar. She and first husband Charlie Battles ran a cattle ranch in her native Oklahoma until their divorce in 1987 after she refused to stay at the ranch despite Battles commands and pursued her dreams in Nashville. “I had to pack everything in one day and leave. I was totally starting over. I wasn’t the little girl anymore, taking orders and doing what he said,” she says (quote via Axs).

10. “Fancy” is a cover song
Though one of McEntire’s signature hits, “Fancy” is actually a cover of the Bobbie Gentry song released in 1969. McEntire’s rendition reached the top 10 on the country charts in 1990 and remains one of her most iconic hits.

11. She attended college to be a teacher
Though destined to be a singer, McEntire toyed with the idea of following a different career path while in college. She attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University for two years where she was planning to become an elementary school teacher like her mother. She graduated with a degree in elementary education and a minor in music in 1976.

12. Some of the best life advice she received came from Conway Twitty
McEntire can certainly dish out a dose of valuable advice to any interested party, but she shares with Sounds Like Nashville that some of the wisest words about success passed down to her came from fellow legendary country star, Conway Twitty. “Keep looking, don’t be satisfied with just a mediocre song, keep digging and find those great songs,” she says.

13. She received the National Artistic Achievement Award in 2010
The “Back to God” singer is one of few artists to be awarded with this prestigious honor. The award goes to an artist who goes above and beyond toward “enriching the national legacy of the performing arts.” She is one of only five recipients alongside Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Emilio and Gloria Estefan and John Williams.

14. She counts some of the biggest names in country music as her dear friends
Being one of the genre’s top acts, you’re bound to make some close friends along the way, and that’s exactly what McEntire has done. She cites Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, Vince Gill and Amy Grant and, of course, her longtime pals and Vegas residency co-stars Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks as some of her closest friends in the genre. “I’ll put it this way, winning an award is sweet but having a friend in the music business that you get to share good times, bad times, experiences with, the stage with — that’s priceless. That’s the gift from God,” she tells Sounds Like Nashville.

15. She’s one of the world’s most successful recording artists
In addition to 40 No. 1 hits, several chart-topping albums and record sales of more than 85 million, McEntire also has 28 albums that are certified gold, making her the second female artist to have the most gold albums behind Barbara Streisand.