In 1974, Reba performed at the National Rodeo in Oklahoma City, singing the national anthem, where Red Steagall discovered her talent. The country artist was also performing at the event. From that day onward, her plan of being a teacher changed, as she went on to a path that led to success and the fulfillment of her passion.
Hearing Reba sing that day, Steagall was so impressed by her vocal ability. He proposed to help her launch a singing career in Nashville, Tennessee. After recording a demo tape, Reba signed a contract with Mercury Records one year later. This was her first recording contract.
A Girl With Faith
One thing that Reba learned from her mother was about passing judgement. Reba was baptized when she was still part of the Singing McEntires. One night when they were going to a gig, Reba said to her mother that she would be telling everyone present there that night that they should all go to church and hear the word of God the next morning.
Her mother asked why she thought of this, and then told her that she didn’t know if those people are already going to church. Reba learned a valuable lesson then. She said, “You don’t know what other people do. You don’t know their heart.” From then on, she decided to focus on herself rather than worrying about what others were doing. Solid logic.
Education and Music
Reba planned to become an elementary school teacher, like her mamma, and attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a major in education and minor in music, after she graduated high school. She and Garth Brooks, who also became a country star, were classmates back then.
But, let’s face it, music was her passion. She grabbed every opportunity she had to sing, and continued to perform locally. Reba thought she would be a school teacher like her mother once she graduated from college, but it turned out that her love of music and singing brought her to a much more fulfilling career. It seemed like she fulfilled her mother’s dream of becoming a country artist, as well.
We're Getting Married!
Reba met Charlie Battles, her first husband, in 1976, at a rodeo. Battles was a steer wrestling champion and a rancher. He was ten years older than Reba at the time, and he had three children to a previous marriage. Reba’s music career was just starting.
Reba made her first recordings in January of 1976 with Mercury Records and released her debut single, "I Don't Want to Be a One Night Stand." Unfortunately, it failed to become a major hit and only peaked at number 88 on the Billboard country music chart in May of that year. Reba had a few other singles that didn’t hit the top also, but she did not lose hope. Her first break into the Top 20 was with her cover of Patsy Cline’s, “Sweet Dreams,” in 1979, which reached number 19 on the Billboard country music chart.
Grand Ole Opry Debut
Reba made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 1977. It was quite an honor for her to perform at the most acclaimed home of country music, but she almost didn’t make it in. One of the guards at the Opry gate did not want to let her in because he could not find her name on the night’s list of performers. Reba have to argue with the security guard and she never gave up. Reba called her booking agent at a nearby phone, and he arranged for her to get inside.
Reba’s parents and her sister, Alice, had to drive 1,400 miles round trip from Oklahoma only to find out that Reba’s act was cut in half, from two songs to one song, only because there was a surprise performance from Dolly Parton. Despite those issues, that night still turned out great with Reba singing “Invitation to the Blues.”