Interview with Reba McEntire


Ch.L.: Country Music has many new fans in Europe, who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who’se never seen or heard you before.

RM: I’d say I’d describe myself as a down home, family loving, caring person. I love to have fun, I enjoy traveling and I love to be entertained. As for the music I play, after 33 years of being in the business and recording 33 albums, I like all types of music so that’s why I’ve recorded a wide variety of songs over the years. Every song I record needs to have a message. It could be a light and fun message or something deep, dark and painful. Music can be a great healer. Hopefully some of my music has done that.

Ch.L.: How was the last year for you? What were the highlights?

RM: This year has been fantastic for me, my family and my organization. I have a new record label, Valory Music Group, and I’m having a blast working with them. I’ve had two top 10 singles so far this year and I love promoting the CD, “Keep On Loving You”. My family and I have gone on some great trips and my organization is working hard and loving what they do. No complaints on my end.

Ch.L.: What’s your favorite song among all the songs you’ve recorded and what’s the story behind it?

RM: I love “Fancy”. Always have. Bobby Gentry wrote and recorded it in 1968 and I recorded it in 1990. I love story songs and it’s one of the best.

Ch.L.: There’s a lot of work that goes into a Number One hit ... what did it take to make it in your case?

RM: You’re right, lots of work! Work from everyone. The record label, the artist and the artist’s entire team. But first of all, you have to have the song. The song finds it’s home and when it does, it’s usually magic.

Ch.L.: Do you have any interesting stories about how fans have been affected by your music?

RM: I’ve had fans write letters to the Fan Club stating that they were ready to end their life when a certain Reba song started playing on the radio. They stopped, listened and changed their mind.
Music is very healing. It sure helped me during my hard times. It’s moved, touched, entertained, healed and brought people back together.

Ch.L.: What do you think about today’s Country Music versus its roots and where do you see it going in the future?

RM: I don’t think country music will ever go back to where it was in the sense of technology but it could in it’s writing and sound. It always seems to go in a circle. We in the country music business are fans of our predecessors. We may do it like they taught us, but we put our own thumbprint on it just for seasoning.

Ch.L.: What moments in your career stand out in your memory as highlights and achievements which you’re proud of?

RM: I’m proud of every step I’ve taken in my career. The good ones and the bad ones. I’ve learned something from every step. Highlights? The awards, the 1 records, the smiles on the faces of an audience when you are on stage sicker than a dog! They all go hand in hand.

Ch.L.: When you get time off, how do you like to relax?

RM: Being with my family, being by myself, reading a good book, watching a great movie. I love to travel, go on vacations with family and/or friends.

Ch.L.: What Prive hopes and desires do you have?

RM: For my family, friends and me to stay happy and healthy.

Ch.L.: Is there anyplace you haven’t played that you would like to?

RM: Red Rocks in Colorado

Ch.L.. What message would you like to send your European fans?

RM: Thanks for being so nice to us when we toured Europe. We appreciated the super hospitality. We’ll be coming back to see you again.

Ch.L.: Fans are always hungry for good road stories. Do you have one you can tell?

RM: There are tons of road stories in my autobiography. I’ll have to dig some up and get them to you.

Ch.L.: Most careers don’t last as long as yours, what’s given your career the staying power?

RM: I work hard to keep finding great songs, new ways of doing things, staying current with technology so I can better communicate with the fans, and I really like what I’m doing.

Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de)

www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka