Reba McEntire.

  Biografi-Fakta

2001 marks 27 years since Reba McEntire was first discovered singing the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo. Appropriately, Reba releases her 27 CD this year, “Greatest Hits III – I’m A Survivor.”  “I’m A Survivor” is the first single from the release, but is also an apropos description of Reba in 2001.

Through all of country music’s incarnations of traditional, roots, and pop, Reba McEntire has been a survivor. More than a survivor, she reigns as the most successful female artist in the genre with 50 million records sold. And, her success is not just limited to country music. Few performers can claim the multi-layered resume of Reba – Broadway phenomena, motion picture actress, television series star, best-selling author, international touring sensation, and multi-platinum recording artist. As Reba herself says, “I keep changing to keep from getting bored, and I’m also curious to see if I can do it, and how much fun it’s going to be.”

Reba stormed Broadway in early 2001, as the star of Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun.” Although ineligible for a Tony, Reba’s critically acclaimed performance received every other major theatre award. She also received unprecedented unanimous acclaim from the New York media. The New York Times said, “Without qualification the best performance by an actress in a musical comedy this season.” Amazingly, “Annie Get Your Gun” marked Reba’s debut as a stage actress. The woman who has sung on every stage from Sydney, Australia to Peoria, Illinois can now make the unique claim that her first theatrical performance took place on the Broadway stage.

Reba honed her acting chops in feature films and TV roles. Her movies have ranged from the cult classic, Tremors, to the current USA Films release, One Night at McCool’s. Her television roles have included an early depiction of Annie Oakley in the CBS mini-series, Buffalo Girls, along with starring turns in highly rated movies of the week, Forever Love, and Secret of Giving.Along the way, Reba has acted opposite a multitude of acclaimed actors including Burt Reynolds, Kevin Bacon, Anjelica Huston, Melanie Griffith, Dan Ackroyd, and Paul Reiser. In 2001, she takes on her biggest screen project yet with the debut of her own sitcom, Reba, on the WB network. Early predictions indicate the show will be well received.

Not limiting herself to just the performing arts, Reba has also contributed two books to the publishing world. Her autobiography, My Story, spent several weeks on the New York Times Bestsellers List. Reba followed that book’s success with a collection of essays written with her special brand of homespun wisdom, Comfort from a Country Quilt. Reba’s written works have sold a combined total of over 1 million copies.

Musically, Reba has toured domestically and internationally for over 25 years. Her tours have been on “Pollstar”’s top grossing tours list for much of that time. Breaking boundaries, Reba became the first female country singer to sell as many tickets as the boys. And in true Reba fashion, she championed the first all female major country music tour, “Girls’ Night Out,” starring Reba, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Jamie O’Neal, and Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Known for her elaborate staging and costume changes, Reba can also bring the house down with the sheer emotion of her voice. The Hartford Courier said of Reba’s portion of Girls’ Night Out, “Reba’s show is a powerhouse.”

Beyond all the milestones, awards, and applause, lies the music – Reba music. “Greatest Hits III” is a scrapbook of Reba’s best recorded works. From the warm-hearted pledge of “Forever Love,” to the heartbreaking longing of “And Still,” GHIII is a journey of emotion. The diversity of the tracks, from the original take on the country classic, “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” to the sassy, jazz influenced “Take It Back,” makes it abundantly clear that no one sings a song like Reba. Twelve of her hits from the 1990’s are included on the package, but forever raising the bar, Reba includes three new recordings on the CD as well.

The title track and first single, “I’m a Survivor,” is the theme song to Reba’s highly anticipated sitcom. However, Reba originally picked the song for another reason. “I’m a Survivor” is one of those songs that spoke to me the first time I heard it. I thought so many women can relate to that. Things happen in life, but by the grace of God and our own determination we make it through. Then when I saw the completed pilot for the TV show, the lyrics of the song just seemed to fit the character perfectly.”

Tony Brown, Reba’s longtime friend and producer produced “I’m a Survivor,” along with a second new track, “Myself Without You.” Reba says, “I’ve always liked songs about strong women. ‘Myself Without You’ is the story of a woman who realizes she is strong, and although she’s gone through a painful breakup, she can go on. It’s about loving yourself first and knowing that that’s okay.”

The third new track on Greatest Hits III is a remake of the Kenny Rogers hit, “Sweet Music Man.”To produce this track, Reba called upon new friend and fellow recording artist, Alison Krauss. “I came across a band, Nickel Creek, that had this unbelievable pure and beautiful sound. When I found out that Alison produced them, I thought I would love to see what she could do with one of my records. I called her up and we moved our schedules around and made it work. She recorded the tracks in Nashville then flew up to New York to record my vocal during the day before I had to sing ‘Annie’ at night. Then she took the whole thing back to Nashville and worked on the mix. I think it turned out great. I’m so proud to have worked with her, and hope we’ll get to do it again.”

Most artists consider it a rare achievement to accumulate enough single success to fill one volume of Greatest Hits. Reba McEntire now turns in her third collection. If Reba’s past can be any indication, it will not be her last. Officiella hemsidan