Reba McEntire: FACE of the South

When our editorial team first heard that Reba was opening Reba’s Place in Atoka, Oklahoma, we jumped at the chance to chat with her about this exciting new project. And let us state for the record that Reba McEntire has been busy! The GRAMMY award-winning entertainer kicks off the spring run of her tour in March. Speaking of GRAMMYs, she’s up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Does He Love You – Revisited” alongside Dolly Parton.

Beyond the music, Reba continues adding to an already-illustrious acting career. She served as lead actress and executive producer on the Lifetime movie The Hammer, filmed in Canada, then immediately went to Albuquerque to film ABC’s Big Sky … all while on a nationwide tour. Ready to jump from our screens and speakers to our coffee tables, she’s set to release a new lifestyle book this year filled with hosting advice, travel tips, recipes, and personal anecdotes. We dive into juggling all of these things, her favorite people and places right now, and even what’s listed in her concert rider (list of performance requests).

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Tell us a little about Reba’s Place. You’ve got a lot going on right now!

We do. Thank goodness! We like to stay busy. A friend came to me with the project in 2020 when everything shut down. That’s when all the juices started flowing, and everybody started thinking of great things to do. So my friend Carol — part of the city council in Atoka, Oklahoma — asked if I’d want to start a restaurant there. It was the furthest thing from my mind, but we kept talking about it. They presented me with the plan, and Choctaw Nation joined on as a partner. It’s open, and it’s going great. Everybody’s so excited. I got to attend the grand opening, and my whole family has gotten to go!

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What is your best advice for juggling all of these projects at once?

The best advice is what I’ve been told from the very beginning: be prepared, show up, and be on time.

I don’t think anyone can prepare you for what we went through the last few years. One thing you have to have is great people. I have the best team; I am so proud of them.! They take up so much of the work that I don’t have to do. I show up and do my part, but they’ve put in so much work before that. They give their all. I just love them to pieces. There’s my band, my crew. Working on the movie and show, the best part of the experience was all the friends I met along the way. It was so fun for Rex Linn, my boyfriend, and I to act on both together.

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What’s a common misconception about your life?

It’s a misconception that this is a glamorous life. The glamorous life — the fun life — is when you’re actually performing. All the other stuff is the work. But being on stage and in front of the camera is the fun part for me. The promoting is the hard work, but you have to promote so that everyone knows about the project you’ve worked so hard on. That’s the gettin’ up early and the gettin’ in hair and makeup at five o’clock in the morning. People think that what we do in the entertainment business is all glamorous. It is not. It’s a lot of hard work.

When we were on set, it’d be close to midnight and 23 degrees, and we’re outside filming, and you have to make it seem like you’re having a wonderful time while trying not to breathe so hard that you see your breath on camera. Someone in this business has to really want it. I got sick on tour and canceled a few shows, but you have to get back out there. You may not have the lung capacity you wish you did, but the show must go on.

Here’s a look at The Hammer:

Besides faith, family, and friends, name three things you can’t live without.

In my concert rider, I have four things: water, kleenex, a clock, and a trash can. They’re all very important. I always want to know what time it is — when’s showtime? How long do I have? I need to stay hydrated and keep my sinus passageways clear. And I need a trashcan because I don’t want to throw my Kleenexes on the floor! 

What’s your favorite vacation spot?

Right now, it’s home. But other than that, Africa and Italy. Rex and I want to go back to New Mexico. We worked there for five months, but we want to go back there and really dive in. We want to go back as tourists and spend quality time in Taos, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque.

Do you have a favorite hidden gem in the South?

I love Charleston and Savannah. There is something mystical and magical about those places. There is so much history! My great-grandfather came over to Charleston from Chester, England, so I did a backtrack with Mama to see where my people came from. Roanoke, Virginia, is another place he lived and had a farm. I love to go back there.

Who’s inspiring you in the South right now?

Hmm … that’s a great question. My hero and the person I always look up to is Dolly Parton. She’s a giver. She’s a hard worker. She helps her community and her family. Another person I look up to is Shane Tarleton at Warner Brothers Music in Nashville. He’s a hard worker, and he is always giving in one way or another, whether it’s MusiCares or just helping his community and neighbors. It’s the people with big hearts who I continue to learn from.

What are you most proud of when you look back on your life?

Having my son, Shelby, is my biggest accomplishment. I’m very grateful for the life I’ve gotten to lead so far and the people I’ve gotten to meet. I wake up every morning thanking God for what I have and what he’s going to allow me to do. And I am so excited about the day. I think, “Whatcha got for me today?!” And I never do anything without his guidance.

We’re so thankful to Reba for taking the time to chat with us. Check out Reba’s Place at RebasPlace.com, and plan a visit to Oklahoma. Or how about a stop on her tour?

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Get to know more inspiring FACES of the South through our FACES archives!