With an extensive stint in music, television, and film spanning over four decades, Reba McEntire has the Midas touch in the showbiz industry. Throw in her wholesome image, adorable smile, and her signature wild mane– what is gotten is one of the most admired celebrities in Hollywood.
Although it’d be tiring to name them all, the country icon has released over 13 No.1 albums throughout her career. Four years ago, her official website announced that the singer-songwriter blazed the trail for the most No. 1 country albums amongst women. What’s more surprising is that the country artist has also held a chart-topping album in each of the last four decades.
Before becoming a singer, songwriter, producer, and actress, McEntire graduated with an elementary education major and music minor from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. With her musical talents and skills, it was just apt that she wanted to be a music teacher early in life.
However, she’s not the only person in her family who is a singer. Pake, her older brother, landed a No. 5 country hit with the single “Savin’ My Love for You” from his debut album. McEntire’s younger sister, Susie, is a gospel singer.
McEntire has learned to keep a low-key personality even with all these achievements. It was totally surprising in 2006 when she aimed at The Chicks on the Academy of Country Music Awards stage. “If the Dixie Chicks can sing with their foot in their mouths, surely I can host this sucker,” she quipped to quell her fears on the stage.
Backstory
Per The New York Times, the history of the quarrel dates back to 2003 when George Bush was still the President of America. “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas,” The lead singer of the Chicks band, Natalie Maines, noted to a London audience. Although the comment was directed to fellow country singer Toby Keith, it sparked a feud with the entire country music community. For most country-music fans, the genre was about identity, and The Chicks had already disregarded it by inadvertently insulting all country-music lovers.
In a 2006 cover story for Time Magazine, another member of The Chicks band, Martie Maguire, mentioned the specific kind of fans they wanted. She said the group wished for “a smaller following of really cool people who get it,” and didn’t want fans “that have us in their five-disc changer with Reba McEntire and Toby Keith.”
McEntire’s Response
After McEntire saw the Time story, she said she felt good about her scripted joke to the band.” After they did come out in Time magazine and said that about Keith and me, I was delighted that I had the written script about me being nervous doing the 2006 ACM awards show.”
“I was ready to say that because I hope they realize that they’re not doing themselves any favors,” she added. McEntire also mentioned that she was “very disappointed” in them.
“When somebody talks bad about my music, my family, that does not sit well with me,” she noted. “And when you bite the hand that feeds you, I just don’t think that’s very nice.”
She also added that she felt for them and could relate to their sadness. “I feel for the girls. I do. I don’t think they understand how many people are out there in the world who would love their situation and their spot on the radio and the concert tour.”
The Chicks Respond To McEntire’s Response
In a sit-down with Out, the band spoke of McEntire’s response. “She’s been outwardly critical of us. Some of it has been poking fun, and that’s fine because we have been the butt of jokes. However, some of it, and not just Reba in particular, was pretty harsh.”
The Chicks have enjoyed numerous collaborations outside of country music during all this fiasco. One included a collaboration on Beyonce’s “Lemonade” album called “Daddy Lessons.” They also collaborated on Taylor Swift’s “Lover” album called “Soon You’ll Get Better.” This is the 12th track on Swift’s recent album.
Who Are The Chicks?
The Chicks, previously known as Dixie Chicks, is an American country band composed of lead singer Maines and instrumentalists sisters Maguire and Emily Strayer.
The band was founded in 1989 in Texas with bassist Laura Lynch and guitarist Robin Lynn Macy. Their music specialty included bluegrass and country music, touring the bluegrass festival circuits and small venues for years without attracting a major label.
In 1992, Macy left, and Lynch moved up to the role of a lead vocalist. After this change, the Chicks achieved commercial success, beginning in 1998 with hit songs “There’s Your Trouble” and “Wide Open Spaces.”
