ENTERTAINMENT

Happy 70th birthday, Reba McEntire: Oklahoma's iconic country music star through the years

Country music singer Reba McEntire, left, talks with Tony Brown during the Grammy Gala held on Feb. 26, 1985, at the Radisson Plaza by the Nashville chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Country music singer Reba McEntire, left, talks with Tony Brown during the Grammy Gala held on Feb. 26, 1985, at the Radisson Plaza by the Nashville chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Kathleen Smith / The Tennessean
Reba McEntire performs at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.
Reba McEntire performs at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022.
GARETT FISBECK/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN
Vince Gill and Reba McEntire perform during the Centennial Spectacular to celebrate the 100th birthday of the State of Oklahoma at the Ford Center on Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, in Oklahoma City, Okla.  Photo By CHRIS LANDSBERGER, The Oklahoman
Vince Gill and Reba McEntire perform during the Centennial Spectacular to celebrate the 100th birthday of the State of Oklahoma at the Ford Center on Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo By CHRIS LANDSBERGER, The Oklahoman
CHRIS LANDSBERGER
Reba McEntire talks with guests during the grand opening of Reba's Place in Atoka, Okla., Thursday, Jan.26, 2023.
Reba McEntire talks with guests during the grand opening of Reba's Place in Atoka, Okla., Thursday, Jan.26, 2023.
SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN
Reba McEntire, right, listens to VH-1 producer Richard Woodall, left, as she prepares to interview singer Steve Earle, center, on Sept. 18, 1986, for the music video cable VH-1.
Reba McEntire, right, listens to VH-1 producer Richard Woodall, left, as she prepares to interview singer Steve Earle, center, on Sept. 18, 1986, for the music video cable VH-1.
Bill Welch / The Tennessean
Reba McEntire, right, hugs John Michael Montgomery as they arrive at the Grand Ole Opry House late afternoon of Sept. 29, 1993, for that night’s CMA Awards show.
Reba McEntire, right, hugs John Michael Montgomery as they arrive at the Grand Ole Opry House late afternoon of Sept. 29, 1993, for that night’s CMA Awards show.
Mike DuBose / The Tennessean
Host Reba McEntire during the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, April 15, 2018, in Las Vegas.
Host Reba McEntire during the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Sunday, April 15, 2018, in Las Vegas.
Larry McCormack, Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com
That fiery Oklahoma redhead, Reba McEntire, weeps tears of joy at the double honor of winning Female Vocalist of the Year and receiving the first spontaneous standing ovation of the evening during the 18th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 8, 1984.
That fiery Oklahoma redhead, Reba McEntire, weeps tears of joy at the double honor of winning Female Vocalist of the Year and receiving the first spontaneous standing ovation of the evening during the 18th annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 8, 1984.
Dan Loftin / The Tennessean
LeAnn Rimes, left, and Reba McEntire are performing "When You Love Someone Like That" during the 41st annual CMA Music Awards show at Nashville's Sommet Center on Nov. 7, 2007.
LeAnn Rimes, left, and Reba McEntire are performing "When You Love Someone Like That" during the 41st annual CMA Music Awards show at Nashville's Sommet Center on Nov. 7, 2007.
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean
May 22, 2011; Nashville, TN, USA; Reba McEntire, left, poses with Brenda Lee at the Hall of Fame medallion ceremony, where McEntire, Jean Shepard and Bobby Braddock were formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame May 22, 2011. Mandatory Credit: Larry McCormack-USA TODAY NETWORK
May 22, 2011; Nashville, TN, USA; Reba McEntire, left, poses with Brenda Lee at the Hall of Fame medallion ceremony, where McEntire, Jean Shepard and Bobby Braddock were formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame May 22, 2011. Mandatory Credit: Larry McCormack-USA TODAY NETWORK
The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK
Country music star Reba McEntire, front, waves to the crowd after being introduced by talk show host Maury Povich, back, during taping one of four episodes of "The Maury Povich Show" on the first day of two at Opryland USA theme park's Theater-by-the-Lake Sept. 28, 1992.
Country music star Reba McEntire, front, waves to the crowd after being introduced by talk show host Maury Povich, back, during taping one of four episodes of "The Maury Povich Show" on the first day of two at Opryland USA theme park's Theater-by-the-Lake Sept. 28, 1992.
Frank Empson / The Tennessean
Paul Natkin / Getty Images
Reba McEntire performs during the grand opening of Reba's Place in Atoka, Okla., Thursday, Jan.26, 2023.
Reba McEntire performs during the grand opening of Reba's Place in Atoka, Okla., Thursday, Jan.26, 2023.
SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN