REBA McENTIRE OPENS UP ABOUT HER START IN MUSIC, FAMILY ROOTS, AND WHY SOLO CUPS STILL MAKE HER SMILE
Country music legend Reba McEntire has never been one to forget where she came from. In a candid and heartwarming interview, the Oklahoma native reflected on her early start in music, her tight-knit family, and even the humble Solo cups that became an unexpected part of her journey to stardom.
“I’ve been singing all my life,” Reba said with her signature down-to-earth charm. “Back when I was a kid, my mama used to gather us around the kitchen and teach us harmonies. We didn’t have fancy microphones or instruments — sometimes we just used an old hairbrush or a Solo cup as a pretend mic and sang our hearts out.”
Growing up on a ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma, Reba and her siblings — including her late brother Pake and sisters Alice and Susie — learned the value of hard work early on. Her father, Clark McEntire, was a world champion steer roper, and her mother, Jacqueline, a devoted teacher who encouraged her children to dream big. “We didn’t have much, but we had love, and we had music,” Reba recalled fondly. “Mama always told us, ‘If you’ve got a song in your heart, you’ll never be poor.’”
Her path to fame began at a rodeo arena, where she sang the National Anthem between competitions. That performance caught the attention of country artist Red Steagall, who was so impressed that he helped her land her first recording contract in Nashville. “I thought I’d just be a schoolteacher,” she said with a laugh. “But one song led to another, and here I am, still doing what I love after all these years.”
Now, more than four decades later, Reba remains one of country music’s most celebrated voices — with over 30 studio albums, 16 ACM Awards, 3 Grammy Awards, and a legacy that has influenced generations of artists. But despite her success, she’s still deeply connected to her roots. “I may live in Nashville now, but I’ll always be that red-headed cowgirl from Oklahoma,” she said proudly.
When asked about the “Solo cups” story that has often been mentioned in her interviews, Reba chuckled. “Those cups remind me of home — of rodeos, picnics, and family gatherings,” she explained. “When you’re on the road for months at a time, little things like that bring you back. They’re a symbol of simplicity — the good old days before life got too busy.”
Family remains the foundation of Reba’s life. Whether it’s celebrating milestones, cooking southern meals, or spending time with her son Shelby, she keeps her loved ones close to her heart. “Family is everything,” she said softly. “They’re the reason I’m grounded. My mama used to say, ‘Don’t forget the fence posts that hold you up,’ and I never have.”
Even after decades in the spotlight, Reba continues to approach her career with gratitude and humor. “Every time I walk on stage, I still get butterflies,” she admitted. “That’s how I know I still love it. When the day comes that I don’t — well, I’ll just grab a Solo cup, fill it with sweet tea, and sit back to enjoy someone else’s show.”
As she looks ahead to new music and new projects, Reba McEntire remains the same genuine, fiery, and humble woman she’s always been — proof that true country hearts never fade, and that sometimes, the strongest roots grow from the simplest beginnings.