Biography

With a voice as big as a 50,000-watt radio transmitter, Reba McEntire, in the two years she has been recording, has shown herself to be one of the most polished female vocalists in any line of music.

The beautifully freckled-faced, redhaired Oklahoma native is currently enjoying one of her biggest hits, a duet with Jacky Ward entitled "That Makes Two Of Us," which is included on her second album, "Out Of A Dream." The LP also includes two other recent solo singles by Reba.

She had her first taste of music when her mother would lead Reba and her two sisters and one brother in singing while they were traveling from town to town to watch their father, a champion steer roper, at the rodeos. Her "debut" was singing "Away In A - Manger"at her first grade Christmas program.

Throughout grade school and high school she continued singing, including a country band in the ninth grade, led by one of her teachers. They worked fairs and concerts, and won a few contests for their ability.

While in college at Southeastern State University in Oklahoma in 1974, where Reba majored in elementary education, she had nhe opportunity to sing for the rodeo finals in Oklahoma City, where she met country star Red Steagall, who has been a friend and encourager of Reba ever since.

Because of Reba's hectic show business schedule, she has given up rodeo riding, although she keeps contact with the rodeo by occasionally training barrel racing horses for other riders. Her husband, Charlie Battles, is a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. She and her husband also have a cattle ranching operation, and when Reba isn't on the road, she shares in the ranching chores with Charlie. Reba still has time (somehow!) to keep up on her hobby: oil painting, in which she specializes in western scenes.

She made her debut appearance on the Grand Ole Opry in 1977, just following release of her debut album, entitled simply, "Reba McEntire." And the album results in a story that shows exactly what kind of voice Reba possesses. On several of the album's songs, her producer, Jerry Kennedy, had to use two limiters which are normally reserved to prevent instruments from distorting onto the tape. To use one limiter for a voice is rare. Using two limiters points out the power that is packed in Reba's 5'-6" frame.

Her new album, "Out Of A Dream," features two previous hits for Reba ("Last Night,Ev'ry Night" and "Runaway Heart") as well as her duet with Ward. Also included is her interpretation of the Marie Muldaur classic, "I'm A Woman," and her own tribute to her father in a song entitled "Daddy."

Throughout the album, Reba shows off the incredible voice that has already made her one of the tips for stardom. And with her vocal power, maybe you won't even need a radio or phonograph to hear her. Next time there's a strong breeze, just turn your ears towards Oklahoma. You just might hear Reba McEntire.