The amazing Reba McEntire, who is 68 years old today, is deserving of every accolade possible. I still listen to her multiple times a week, and it feels like she has been in my life.
Reba’s life hasn’t always been easy, though, since this year is the 32nd anniversary of a plane accident that killed a number of her friends.
Following her success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Reba McEntire won the Country Music Association’s “best singer” award four times in a row. Naturally, she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well.
Reba’s life has been difficult despite her amazing profession and all of her accomplishments; she has had a number of personal tragedies.
Jacqueline, Reba’s mother, lost her fight with cancer in 2022 and died at the age of 93.
As a result of teaching Reba to sing, Jacqueline McEntire was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a professional country singer.
We all know how much she loved us, and she departed knowing how much she is loved. Although we will all miss her, we have a ton of amazing memories of her,” Reba remarked.
Reba is undoubtedly aware of what it’s like to face loss and grief.
32 years ago, in on March 16, she lost seven of her band members and her tour manager, who died in a tragic plane crash after a concert.
I remember that day in 1991. I was driving to work and I heard about the crash on the radio. My heart skipped a beat when I thought Reba was also in the plane.
But she wasn’t.
After playing in San Diego on March 16, 1991, Reba and her band were on their way to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for their upcoming tour stop.
Two planes were waiting at the San Diego airport; Reba, her husband, and manager spent the night in San Diego, while the band members and tour manager continued their journey.
Just ten miles east of the airport, the first plane sadly crashed.
Reba has frequently honored her departed friends throughout the years.
She talked about the day her band died in a heartfelt 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
“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 and met with our pilot, and he told us what had happened. And 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, and I said, ‘Are they OK?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’ I said, ‘But you’re not sure?’ He said, ‘I don’t think so.’”
Reba had tears in her eyes as she recalled the details of the tragedy.
She started, pausing as tears welled up in her eyes, “Narvel was going room to room with a phone and calling….” She replied, “I apologize; it’s been 20 years, but it’s just like — I guess it never stops hurting.” However, I can make out that room. Narvel is moving back and forth, as I can see.
It has already been thirty-two years after the catastrophe. She recently recalled the terrible events of that day by sharing a picture of her band on Instagram.
She paid another homage to her friends in 2020.
“I lost my pals in a plane tragedy 29 years ago today. She writes, “It seems fitting that Mama passed away on that anniversary.
“I am aware that they are all together in Heaven, looking after one another. Let’s never take a time with our loved ones for granted and continue to look for methods to care for one another here on Earth.
The country music star received immediate support from Reba’s fans.
A lot of individuals sent prayers and good wishes.
Reba has again showed that she will always remember her companions and that she still grieves their untimely deaths this year, in 2023.
She posted a video of the group performing together along with the caption, “Their love for music and the stage gives us all the strength to go on.”