Today, Reba McEntire is 68 years old, and she truly deserves all the praise she gets. It feels like she has been part of my life forever, and I still listen to her music several times a week.
However, Reba’s life hasn’t always been easy. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of a tragic plane crash that took the lives of several of her friends.
After breaking into country music in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Reba McEntire was named “best singer” for four years in a row by the Country Music Association. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
But despite her amazing career and success, Reba has faced many personal challenges. In 2022, her mother, Jacqueline, lost her battle with cancer at the age of 93.
“She had a wonderful, full, healthy life and was absolutely ready to go. The cancer might think it won the battle, but we’re giving God all the credit for choosing the time for her to go home,” the country star wrote on social media.
Jacqueline McEntire always dreamed of being a professional country singer, and she was the one who taught Reba to sing, fulfilling her ambitions through her daughter.
“She left knowing how much she is loved, and we all know how much she loved us. We’re all going to miss her, but we have so many wonderful memories,” Reba said.
Reba truly understands what it means to face sorrow and loss.
Thirty-two years ago, on March 16, Reba McEntire lost seven of her band members and her tour manager in a tragic plane crash after a concert.
I remember that day in 1991. I was driving to work and heard about the crash on the radio. My heart skipped a beat when I thought Reba was also on the plane.
But she wasn’t.
Reba and her band had performed in San Diego on March 16, 1991, and were heading to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for their next concert on the tour.
Two planes were waiting at the airport in San Diego. The band members and tour manager flew on ahead while Reba, her husband, and her manager stayed overnight in San Diego.
The first plane tragically crashed just ten miles east of the airport.
Over the years, Reba has often remembered her lost friends.
In a heartfelt interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2012, she talked about the day her band died.
“The tip of the wing of the airplane hit a rock on the side of Otay Mountain, and it killed everyone on the plane,” McEntire told Winfrey.
“When we were notified, Narvel (Reba’s manager) went to meet with our pilot, and he told us what had happened. Narvel came back to the hotel room where I was — it was two or three o’clock in the morning — and he said one of the planes had crashed. I asked, ‘Are they OK?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’ I asked, ‘But you’re not sure?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’”
Reba had tears in her eyes as she remembered the details of the tragedy.
“Narvel was going room to room with a phone and calling…” she began, pausing as tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry — it’s been 20 years, but it’s just like — I don’t guess it ever quits hurting,” she said. “But I can see that room. I can see Narvel walking back and forth.”
Now, 32 years have passed since the crash. Recently, she shared a photo of her band on Instagram to remember the tragic events of that day.
In 2020, she also paid tribute to her friends.
“29 years ago today, I lost my friends in a plane crash. The timing of Mama’s passing with that anniversary seems appropriate,” she wrote.
“I know they’re all in Heaven together and taking care of each other. Let’s keep finding ways to take care of each other down here on earth and never take one moment with our loved ones for granted.”
Reba’s fans quickly offered their support to the country star. Many sent positive thoughts and prayers.
“Reba, I’ve always loved your music, our shared horse background, and now following you on Insta. Prayers for you and your mother,” one fan wrote.
In 2023, Reba showed once again that she will never forget her friends and still mourns their tragic loss.
“Their love for music and the stage gives us all the strength to go on,” she wrote, sharing a video of the group performing together.
The two sisters went on stage and performed the legendary song, which was well received
“Without you” by Mariah Carey was the 1990s’ biggest hit. Since then, many have attempted to emulate this singer’s success and outperform the original, but very few have been successful. Singing the vocally demanding composition at least at a level required a great deal of work.
You may be shocked to learn that little Anastasia and Victoria Petrik are the only Odessans who have accomplished this. The oldest girl, Vika, was sixteen at the time of the performance, and her sister was eleven. Nobody could have predicted their level of intensity and penetration when they took the stage to sing, but their voice enthralled the crowd from the very first note. Of them, the youngest was only six years old, and the oldest was fourteen. With the help of this challenging song, they were both able to showcase their talents. The jury was first skeptical of them because no one had ever tried that song before, and they knew it wouldn’t be successful. These sisters entered the stage looking confident and well-united.
The jury felt that they ought to put on a routine display upon seeing them. But when girls with strong, endearing voices appeared on stage, the impression shifted and took a different turn. They were quick to understand and supportive of one another. even at that age. However, the fact remained the fact, and the performance was tremendous, all right. Thousands of hearts were won over by their voice as it echoed across the hall. People’s hearts were touched by every note of their music, evoking powerful feelings and ideas. They emerged as the day’s standout performers and victors thanks to their exceptional voice. They received appreciation as well. Along with highlighting the fact that the real vocalist and the asexual voice data were being imitated, it was also covered by major publications and television. Without inhibition, without excitement, and without hesitation, they submitted their number hand in hand. A performance like that truly merited praise and the title of victory. The jury’s perspective and way of thinking were only altered by them.
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