Reba McEntire Credited for ‘Popification’ of Country
Reba McEntire, pop crossover? The country queen is being lauded (or blamed?) by the LA Times for the "popification of country music over the last two decades."
In a review of Reba's performance at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival over the weekend, the author praises her for having "few equals" and working the audience with "the greatest of ease." He also takes a look back at Reba's career, as she blazed onto the country scene in the '80s. But it was in the '90s that the Times reporter says Reba changed course.
"The Oklahoma singer applied her exceptionally elastic pipes during the '90s to an ever broader range of material with considerable success, and a goodly chunk of Nashville tried to follow," writes Times reporter Randy Lewis. "But although hits such as 'The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter' and 'The Fear of Being Alone' may have showcased her flexibility as a vocalist, they sacrificed the compact power of the more traditional country material of her musical peak in the mid-'80s."
What do you think? Is Reba country to the core, or has she blurred the country/pop lines? Cast your vote below.
Stagecoach 2009 Pictures
Musician Kenny Chesney performs onstage at the 2009 Stagecoach Music Festival on day 2 at the Empire Polo Fields on April 26, 2009 in Indio, California.
Michael Tran, FilmMagic
Singer Reba McEntire performs onstage during day one of California's Stagecoach Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Club on April 25, 2009 in Indio, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Musician Brad Paisley performs onstage during day one of California's Stagecoach Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Club on April 25, 2009 in Indio, California.
Dove Shore/Getty Images
Musician Kid Rock performs at the 2009 Stagecoach: California's Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 26, 2009 in Indio, California.
Jordan Strauss/WireImage
Musician Miranda Lambert performs onstage during day two of California's Stagecoach Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Club on April 26, 2009 in Indio, California.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Musician Darius Rucker performs onstage during day one of California's Stagecoach Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Club on April 25, 2009 in Indio, California.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Musicians Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum perform at the 2009 Stagecoach: California's Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 26, 2009 in Indio, California.
Jordan Strauss, WireImage
Musician Kevin Costner performs onstage at the 2009 Stagecoach Music Festival on day 1 at the Empire Polo Fields on April 25, 2009 in Indio, California.
Michael Tran, FilmMagic
Singer Reba McEntire performs onstage during day one of California's Stagecoach Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Club on April 25, 2009 in Indio, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Musician Miranda Lambert performs onstage during day two of California's Stagecoach Country Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Club on April 26, 2009 in Indio, California.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
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