It’s been 40 years since Reba McEntire made her Grand Ole Opry debut, and on Friday, September 22nd she’s returning to the famous circle to celebrate! The iconic entertainer will perform two shows with a mix of signature hits and selections from her latest offering, Sing It Now: Songs Of Hope And Faith.
“First time I ever sang on the Grand Ole Opry was September 17, 1977,” McEntire states in an announcement video. “I was supposed to sing two songs, but they came to me when I got there and said, ‘We’re gonna have to cut you down to one song because Dolly Parton just pulled up into the driveway, and she’s gonna take one of your songs. I said, ‘Okay, she can take both of ’em. Can I meet her?’ That was a big event in my life because Mama and Daddy always listened to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio, 650 WSM, and now here comes the anniversary, 40 years later. September 22nd, I’m gonna go back and sing at the Grand Ole Opry. Won’t you come out and help me celebrate?”
The two shows start at 7:30 and 9 pm Central. Tickets start at $38 with packages including Sing It Now, available for a limited time. No other details as to what she may perform or what other artists will appear have been announced as of press time.
McEntire released Sing It Now, a 20 song double disc collection of gospel songs and hymns, in February. The album became her thirteenth summit to No. 1, maintaining the record for the most Top Country Albums No. 1s among women and only the second artist to have a chart-topping album in each of the last four decades. Around the album’s release, the legendary singer returned to the original home of the Opry — the Ryman Auditorium — to celebrate the album’s release with a pair of sold out shows containing a mix of 35 hits and new songs.
In March, McEntire filmed a drama pilot in Georgia, called Red Blooded, helmed by Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry. The pilot was said to be a shoo in for the fall season for ABC, but the network ultimately passed on the series. Sister studio, ABC Studios, began shopping the show, but couldn’t find a home for it.
Reba returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Las Vegas in November for a run of shows through December 9th with Brooks & Dunn. Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas surpasses Shania Twain’s Shania: Still The One as the longest-running country music residency at Caesars Palace since The Colosseum opened in 2003. The residency is now into its third year.
