Her big break came in 1974 when she sang the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo. Country star Red Steagall heard her and invited her to record a demo in Nashville. After signing with a label in 1975, Reba slowly climbed the charts before breaking through in the 1980s with hits like “Whoever’s in New England.”

In 1991, tragedy struck when a plane crash killed eight of her band members. Reba pushed forward, honoring them with her album For My Broken Heart. She continued rising through the 1990s and beyond, becoming a country icon.

Despite fame, Reba stayed connected to her roots, even opening Reba’s Place in Oklahoma in 2023. Her 2024 Super Bowl performance of the national anthem brought her journey full circle—from a rodeo arena to one of the world’s biggest stages.