Reba McEntire took advantage of that opportunity and country music has never let her down.
The “Fancy” singer, who won entertainer of the year nearly 30 years ago, returns to the stage for the 17th time to emcee the Academy of Country Music Awards on Thursday, May 16 in Frisco, Texas.
In addition to her hosting responsibilities, Reba will perform her latest single, “I Can't,” during the ACMs live broadcast. Her performance comes on the heels of news that NBC recently picked up its “Happy's Place” pilot for a Friday night slot in the fall.
If McEntire's plate seems full, don't be fooled. She is used to lifting heavy objects.
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Reba McEntire is set to return to television with her new comedy, “Happy's Place.” (Getty Images)
“Happy's Place” will follow the story of Bobbie, played by McEntire, who inherits her father's restaurant after his death. Not only will he start a new company, but he will also learn about his new business partner, Isabella (played by Belissa Escobedo), who turns out to be the younger half-sister he never knew he had.
“I love all genres of entertainment, but comedies are so much fun because there's a new script every week and you're having fun,” McEntire told Entertainment Tonight.
“It's really hard to memorize all the lines you have to do, but… it's not my first rodeo. I love it. It's just play time. We have a great time.”
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Reba will also have some familiar faces on set, from when she worked on “Reba” and then “Malibu Country.”
Peterman and McEntire previously worked together on the comedy “Reba” for six seasons. (Marsaili McGrath/Getty Images)
“We have the same producers, the same showrunner, the same writers, and now we're back with Melissa Peterman and Rex Linn, my boyfriend, and a wonderful cast and crew,” she said.
McEntire first appeared alongside Peterman in the comedy hit “Reba”, which aired on The WB and then The CW, for six seasons between 2001 and 2007. The show was a huge success and, aside from the dynamic characters, is remembered for its theme song, “I'm a Survivor”, sung by McEntire.
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She met her boyfriend, Rex Linn, nearly 40 years ago while working on the 1991 film, “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw.” They had an instant connection three decades later, when she guest-starred on her show, “Young Sheldon,” and were already dating when she appeared with him on Season 3 of “Big Sky.”
McEntire and Linn began dating in 2020, after originally meeting in 1991. (Gilberto Flores)
McEntire recently starred in the final season of “Big Sky” with her boyfriend Rex Linn. (Michael Moriatis/ABC via Getty Images)
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“I've been married twice. After the second one broke up, I don't have much faith in…being bound by a piece of paper or a ring,” she told E! News. “But I'm really engaged to rex, so if that's something you feel totally strongly about, that's fine with me. He had never been married before. So if he wants to experience that, I'm okay with that.”
McEntire was previously married to Charlie Battles, from 1976 to 1987, and Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015.
He has a close bond with his only child, Shelby Blackstock, whom he welcomed with his ex in 1990. Narvel is also the father of Brandon Blackstock, the Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband.
Reba McEntire and her second husband, Narvel Blackstock, formally separated in 2015. (Larry Busacca)
Reba has a son, Shelby Blackstock, with her ex-husband Narvel Blackstock. (Ed Rode/Getty Images)
“Shelby is a gift from God to me,” he told People magazine. “We're very close. I was a very self-centered person to a certain extent before Shelby. But then there's this little character who you're given the job of protecting, nurturing, loving and teaching, so all the attention is no longer on you. “.
Her transition to comedy star came only after she dominated the charts as the queen of country, and Reba went on to have an impressive music career spanning decades.
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The Oklahoma-born singer grew up on an 8,000-acre cattle ranch and was encouraged to perform by her loving mother.
“It was Mom who encouraged the kids to sing, taught us to sing, and led us to our jobs as singers,” he told compatriot Garth Brooks on TalkShopLive. “Thirteen years playing breweries and honky-tonks, Peg, Susie and I went up and sang.”
Her first big break came in 1974, when she was hired to sing the national anthem at the Oklahoma City National Rodeo. Red Steagall caught wind of her performance and Reba later signed with Mercury Records. The duo later collaborated on the 2007 hit “Here We Go Again.”
Reba McEntire, who lost most of her band in a tragic plane crash in 1991, sang “I'm Checkin' Out” at the 63rd Academy Awards. (Getty Images)
In the midst of her blossoming career, McEntire suffered tragedy. While on tour in 1991, one of two chartered private planes carrying members of his band crashed near San Diego. Eight members of the band did not survive the accident. The pilot and co-pilot also died.
Days after the accident, McEntire put on a brave face and took the stage at the 63rd Academy Awards. She released her album, “For My Broken Heart”, later that year, which she dedicated to those who died in the accident.
Despite the tumultuous time, McEntire continued to focus on bringing positive messages to fans through her music. He has released 13 number one albums in his four-decade career.
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Reba has three Grammy Awards, won the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year award four times, and, in 2018, received the Kennedy Center Honors for her lifetime of contributions to American culture. Last year, Reba took over as Blake Shelton on the reality singing competition show “The Voice.”
In 2020, the celebrated singer announced that she would return to her original label, Universal Music Group Nashville, where she spent the first 32 years of her career.
If her ACM pre-show rituals are any indication, Reba is putting faith first, like she always has.
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“I really enjoy doing the awards, so I don't have any rituals,” he said in a video shared on Instagram. “I have nothing to do before leaving except pray.
“I ask the Holy Spirit to walk for me, speak for me, speak for me and sing for me. And that always gives me the confidence to take the first step and go have a good time.”
