Reba McEntire reveals she was real-life ‘cowgirl’ on her family’s Oklahoma ranch before her music career

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Reba McEntire, who was born in 1955, reflected on her childhood days before rising to fame in country music and acting. She fondly remembered starting to work at her family ranch when she was just five years old. 

Growing up in southeastern Oklahoma with her parents, Clark and Jackie McEntire, and her siblings—sisters Alice and Susie, and brother Pake—Reba developed a close bond with her family while contributing to their tight-knit community. Her journey from those early years to becoming a music icon is a testament to her roots and resilience.

Reba McEntire reflects on her life before becoming famous

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the 69-year-old country music star reflected on her life before achieving fame. She shared that she was raised in a family living on an 8,000-acre ranch in Oklahoma, where her father managed several thousand cattle each year.

She reminisced, "I began working on our ranch at age 5. If Daddy needed a driver to move grain in his pickup truck, he came in and got whoever was there. I was so little that Daddy put a 50-pound feed sack on the driver’s seat before putting me on top of it. I’d be on my knees to work the steering wheel. He’d put the truck in granny gear, jump out and off I’d go. I didn't play cowgirl growing up. I was one."

Reba McEntire also recalled the experience of working alongside her siblings on the ranch while their father, a three-time world champion steer roper, competed in rodeos.

"Daddy was gone rodeoing between June and September. Running that big ranch while he was away fell to us kids," she continued. "We also had a hired hand, Louie Sandman, and Grandpap, John McEntire, who was a champion steer roper himself."

Reba McEntire longs for her mother's praise

Reba McEntire is not only known for her ranching background but also for her involvement in various activities, including basketball and track, as well as playing guitar and piano. Above all, singing was her true passion.

In the same interview, she shared, "I always wanted to be on stage. I was the third of four kids, so I was pretty much invisible. I had to carve out something for me to gain attention, and that was singing."

She fondly recalled her longing for her mother's praise, saying, "I yearned to hear her say, that was real good, Reba."

Reba also reminisced about forming a band with her siblings, Pake and Susie, called 'The Singing McEntires.'

She emphasized her mother’s role in their lives, stating, "she was our best friend, our cheerleader, and our disciplinarian." McEntire’s mother died in 2020 after a battle with cancer, leaving a profound impact on her, as she noted, "She was our rock. Country music meant a great deal to her."

Reba McEntire's recollection of her childhood receives praise from her fans

After discovering Reba McEntire's cowgirl lifestyle and the skills she learned while helping her father on the ranch, many internet users quickly shared their thoughts, as per Fox News.

One user commented, "She's a great entertainer, and smart enough to stay out of politics, remains grounded, and keeps on winning."

Another user wrote, "Cowgirls don't cry. Love Reba." 

A third user said, "She has led an authentic American Dream life. That is what makes her such an outstanding personality. Not many like her in the music industry."

Another remarked, "Reba is a cowgirl...great! Maybe she can pay a visit to the View and help guide them to their pasture."

One fan declared McEntire as "one of my all-time favorites," while another lauded, "Reba is a class act!"

Finally, one user added, "Reba is too multi-talented. She was so great on her sitcom "Reba." I haven't seen her new sitcom yet, but I bet it is just as good."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.