Reba McEntire First Heard Herself on the Radio at Home, With Family
Oklahoma-born Reba McEntire began her Nashville recording career in 1975, when she signed a contract with Mercury Records. Her first single, "I Don't Want to Be a One Night Stand," didn't exactly set the country music world on fire, though: It peaked at No. 88 on the charts.
Clearly, things have improved considerably since then for McEntire! So, where was the future queen of country music when she heard her first single on the radio for the very first time? Below, she remembers.
I was in Chockie, Okla., where I grew up. My mama, Jacqueline McEntire, Susie, my little sister, and I were there at the house. We had an old radio that would get better reception if you stood close or even put your hand on it.
We were listening to KVOO out of Tulsa, Okla., and "I Don't Want to Be a One Night Stand" came on. We sort of melted to the floor and cried. I can see us there on the floor, laughing and crying like it was yesterday! We've always been a very supportive family.
This story was originally written by Pat Gallagher, and revised by Angela Stefano.
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