Two years ago at a Christmas party I did a lip-synch number, as Reba, to "Mary Did You Know". Everyone loved it.

It is also fun to imitate her southern accent. When people ask me if I am Reba, or tell me I look just like her, I ask them in my best southern accent if they would like my autograph. It is quite a compliment when people tell me I look like Reba. When they say "I'll bet you get told that a lot, huh?", I say. "You are the first one today."

Thank you for this opportunity.
Renee Dolezal

UPDATED: 6/20/2004 8:44AM :: updated by Clark ::

NEW POLL

Do you plan to take advantage of the "Habitat Helper Ticket Package" being offered by FanFire?

Let us know in the new poll.

UPDATED: 6/20/2004 8:27AM :: updated by Clark ::

"Remarkable Reba!"

Hit your local bookstore and you will see Reba's face gracing the cover of the July/August issue of Country Music Today as the subject of this feature story. Here is an excerpt of the article written by Stephen L. Betts: Twenty-five years into her career, Reba McEntire is a multifaceted mom who's in love again - with the songs that have helped shape her musical career. We caught up with her on a brief stop during her recent tour - a show unlike any she's done in recent memory. It's a stripped-down affair that's light on razzle-dazzle but heavy on the one thing she just wouldn't be Reba without: the songs.

reba.com

Exclusive Ticket Offer

Whirlpool Brand, sponsor of the tour to benefit Habitat for Humanity International, announces the availability of a very special, very exclusive, very unique opportunity for fans to meet Reba and help Habitat for Humanity at the same time! To get the inside scoop and pricing information, check out www.reba.com and follow the "Habitat Helper Ticket Package" link to Reba's official online store! (All profits of the Platinum Habitat Helper Package will be donated to help your local Habitat for Humanity Affiliate.)

reba.com

UPDATED: 6/20/2004 8:19AM :: updated by Clark ::

Roker gives Reba an eyeful

Reba McEntire had a creepy surprise during her recent spot on the "Today" show. The sitcom and country star had just performed when Al Roker yanked a look-alike out of the crowd.

"Reba was visually startled," says an on-set source.

"She immediately recognized the woman and said, 'I remember you - you showed up at my TV set in L.A.' The look-alike started saying all kinds of weird stuff about them being long-lost sisters and how she wants to be Reba's body double.

"Reba was [furious]. It was scary. Even the 'Today' producers apologized afterward and said they had no idea Al was going to pull the freak from the crowd."

A rep for the show later denied producers had apologized. "I think your source needs to distinguish between a fan and a fanatic," she said.

Reba's spokeswoman told me: "I know the incident happened. That woman has been around before, but she's not a stalker."

Another McEntire handler denied the crooner was flustered by the encounter, saying, "Reba has always said the best form of flattery is imitation."

They're probably relieved that there's one Reba impersonator out there who's actually a woman.

NY Daily

UPDATED: 6/19/2004 8:56AM :: updated by Clark ::

SOMEBODY ON BILLBOARD

Reba McEntire collects her first top 10 hit on Billboard's radio airplay-based Hot Country Singles & Tracks since "I'm a Survivor" peaked at No. 3 in 2001. The 13-10 shift of "Somebody" (MCA Nashville) is significant, as it moves McEntire into the top 10 among artists with the most top 10 songs on this chart. She now has 53, which ties her with Waylon Jennings for 10th place. The only female artist with more country top 10s is Dolly Parton, with 55.

UPDATED: 6/18/2004 6:57PM :: updated by Clark ::

Reba and Whirlpool Offer Platinum Ticket to Benefit Habitat

Whirlpool Brand, sponsor of the 2004 Reba McEntire concert tour to benefit Habitat for Humanity International, announces the availability of a very special, very exclusive, very unique opportunity for fans to meet Reba and help Habitat for Humanity at the same time!

"It's an honor for Whirlpool to sponsor one of our country's greatest musical artists and support Habitat for Humanity at the same time," said David Swift, Executive Vice President of Whirlpool North America. "We believe that Reba embodies the Whirlpool brand image - as she is a successful career woman, mother, and homemaker and is also committed to various humanitarian causes. Reba's tour provides us with the opportunity to go directly to our consumers, talking to them about Habitat for Humanity in a new way and align ourselves with a terrific performer."

The Exclusive Platinum Habitat Helper Ticket Package includes:
* One Premium Ticket
* One Exclusive Habitat Helper T-shirt
* One Habitat Helper Laminate
* One Autographed Reba photo
* One Meet and Greet and Photo with Reba
* Serve as Official "Helper" Prior to the show

Note: Tickets and Laminate delivered the night of the show at Will Call.

For pricing information and to order your Platinum Habitat Helper Ticket Package at www.reba.com, just follow the Habitat Helper Ticket Package link to Reba's official online store!

All profits of the Platinum Habitat Helper Package will be donated to help your local Habitat for Humanity Affiliate.

*************************************

A Limited number of Platinum Habitat Helper Ticket Packages will be available for the following shows:

06/25/04 - Grand Junction, CO
06/26/04 - Greeley, CO
07/02/04 - Reno, NV
07/03/04 - Provo, UT
07/09/04 - Redding, CA
07/10/04 - Kelseyville, CA
07/11/04 - Costa Mesa, CA
07/15/04 - Hinckley, MN
07/17/04 - Baltimore, MD
07/18/04 - Morristown, OH
07/21/04 - Columbus, OH
07/22/04 - Mount Pleasant, MI
07/23/04 - Twin Lakes, WI
07/25/04 - Minot, ND
08/07/04 - Atlanta, GA
08/14/04 - Jackson, MI
08/15/04 - Indianapolis, IN
08/28/04 - Syracuse, NY
09/04/04 - Albuquerque, NM
09/11/04 - Grand Prairie, TX
09/19/04 - Puyallup, WA
09/25/04 - Omaha, NE
09/26/04 - Grand Forks, ND

The Platinum Habitat Helper Ticket Packages are administered by FanAccess, a division of Signatures Network.

UPDATED: 6/18/2004 8:55AM :: updated by Clark ::

SOMEBODY AT #2!

Reba's video for SOMEBODY has made it to #2 on CMT's Top 20 video countdown!

UPDATED: 6/17/2004 3:17PM :: updated by Clark ::

Tickets for Reba's show at Dickinson Stadium go on sale Friday

By MICHAEL ELIASOHN / H-P Business Writer

ST. JOSEPH -- Tickets go on sale Friday for country music star Reba McEntire's July 20 concert at Dickinson Stadium in St. Joseph.

Her first tour in four years is being sponsored by Whirlpool brand appliances, in part as a way to promote involvement with Habitat for Humanity, so her 29-stop tour was announced at an event for Whirlpool employees May 10 at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center.

The appearance at the St. Joseph High School football stadium was a surprise addition announced then. The concert is to start at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $35 each. They can be purchased starting at 9 a.m. Friday at any Star Tickets Plus location, including all Meijer stores, and can be charged by phone at (800) 585-3737 or via its Web site, www.starticketsplus.com.

Dickinson Stadium will seat about 6,500 people for the concert.

Whirlpool employees had the first chance to buy tickets, starting June 9, and all remaining tickets are available for the public. Company spokesman Christopher Wyse said up to 5,000 tickets were available for Whirlpool employees, but he didn't think they bought that many.

He said Whirlpool is paying the costs involved with the concert, so proceeds from ticket sales, except for the ticket service charges, will be donated to the Benton Harbor chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Benton Township-based Whirlpool has been a Habitat partner since 1999 and donates a refrigerator and range to every-Habitat-built house in North America and Europe.

Habitat's goal is to provide decent, affordable houses to families that could not otherwise afford them. The houses are built by volunteers, with participation by the families who will live in them.

McEntire has sold more than 48 million albums in her country music career, has a hit television series and has starred on Broadway and in feature films.

UPDATED: 6/16/2004 10:15PM :: updated by Bernie ::

Reba Finds Camaraderie in Karaoke

Reba McEntire promotes togetherness on “Reba” with karaoke.

By Neil Haislop, Country Forever Productions

LOS ANGELES, CA Wednesday 6.16.2004 /netmusiccountdown.com/ -- According to one of Reba McEntire’s production team members of her sitcom "Reba," she’s one of the best-loved stars of a top show in the sitcom world.

One of the things Reba does to promote a relaxed sense of comradeship on the show is to stage karaoke nights a couple of times each season. Without notice Reba occasionally ends a week of production by bringing in a full karaoke set up and margarita-making machine for an impromptu party.

"She loves to do this," says one of her video engineers. "By the time the night’s over, she makes sure everybody in the cast or crew gets up to sing a karaoke song with her, and nobody is having more fun each time than Reba."

Reba Scores 53rd Top 10 Hit

Reba McEntire's "Somebody" climbs to No. 10.

By Neil Haislop, Country Forever Productions

NASHVILLE, TN Thursday 6.17.2004 /netmusiccountdown.com/ -- Reba McEntire's current release, "Somebody" climbs to Billboard's No. 10 slot this week, making the single her 53rd Top 10 Billboard hit. McEntire heads the list for most Top 10 solo hits by a female on Billboard's country charts, with 51.

McEntire's duets "The Heart Won't Lie" with Vince Gill and "Does He Love You?" with Linda Davis were also Top 10 hits. "Somebody" is the second release from McEntire's current "Room to Breathe" CD and follows the popular single, "I'm Gonna Take that Mountain." McEntire's concert tour in support of the album next stops in Grand Junction, Colorado on June 25.

Lee Ann Womack

Lee Ann Womack was recently asked: If you were asked to be a part of a Reba McEntire tribute album, which song would you like to cover?

Oh, that's a good idea! That's a real good idea. I think I'd do "Today All Over Again," which most people probably have never heard. But what's funny is, Reba had an entire career before "Whoever's in New England." People don't even know all that stuff she did on Mercury with [producer] Jerry Kennedy, years and years and years ago. Real traditional country stuff, that's my favorite Reba stuff.

UPDATED: 6/8/2004 8:55AM :: updated by BigRedReba ::

SPARTA PICS

Click thumbnails for full sized images.

Photos by fancyreba.com's Mary Roach

UPDATED: 6/8/2004 8:37AM :: updated by BigRedReba ::

CAMDEN NJ PHOTOS

Click thumbnails for full sized images.

Photos by fancyreba.com's Mary Roach

UPDATED: 6/8/2004 8:08AM :: updated by BigRedReba ::

MORE: MOHEGAN SUN PICS

Click thumbnails for full sized images.

Photos by fancyreba.com's Mary Roach

UPDATED: 6/8/2004 7:53AM :: updated by BigRedReba ::

MOHEGAN SUN PICS

Click thumbnails for full sized images.

Photos by fancyreba.com's Mary Roach

UPDATED: 6/8/2004 7:26AM :: updated by BigRedReba ::

TODAY SHOW PICS

Click thumbnails for full sized images.

Photos by fancyreba.com's Mary Roach

UPDATED: 6/8/2004 6:55AM :: updated by BigRedReba ::

SOUND CHECK FOR THE TODAY SHOW

Click thumbnails for full sized images.

Photos by fancyreba.com's Mary Roach

UPDATED: 6/7/2004 3:58PM :: updated by Clark ::

MOHEGAN SUN PHOTOS

Click thumbnails for full sized images.

Photos by Michelle Brady

UPDATED: 6/7/2004 1:12PM :: updated by Clark ::

A LOVE OF COUNTRY

Kentucky's four-day Stampede attracts 121,000 fans whose patriotism rivals their reverence for good music

By C.E. Hanifin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Stampede culminated with Reba McEntire taking the stage Sunday evening for a crowd mellowed by four days of festivities. After a few songs, she told the audience, "Let's keep this party rolling," and ratcheted up the tempo. Folks responded by clapping their hands, lifting babies onto their shoulders and letting loose a few final howls.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

UPDATED: 6/7/2004 1:07PM :: updated by Clark ::

Comment about Kentucky show

"I don't know if anyone had the opportunity to get out to the Country Stampede festival in Kentucky this weekend, but last night's show was phenomenal. Craig Morgan showed a great deal of enthusiasm, even as the crowd was just getting settled. He also showed that he has some more potential hits in the pipeline. Clay Walker was impressive for the Kenny Chesney-girl crowd. The guys could get into one song and then feel like an idiot with the next. And last, Reba proved that she is far from done in country music. In a long history of concert going, I have never seen so many people give undivided attention to a concert. She had nearly every person in the 30,000+ crowd on their feet for her entire performance. She sounded great, looked great, and definitely made it known that her career in country music is far from going the way of the older legends who are relegated to a song every now and then on a syndicated TV show."

- from allaboutcountry.com

UPDATED: 6/7/2004 10:12AM :: updated by Clark ::

Number Three

UPDATED: 6/7/2004 7:26AM :: updated by Clark ::

Reba Related #2

Picker packs in big gigs

Opportunities just keep coming for dobro player

How many places are there where a dobro player can pick away in a year's time? And by places, we mean big places. All-star gigs. Different and distinguished recording sessions. The Big Time.

For Rob Ickes (rhymes with bikes), the answer is still being computed...

CLICK HERE to read full article

UPDATED: 6/7/2004 7:17AM :: updated by Clark ::

Reba Related

ARRIVING & SURVIVING

After an absence from the spotlight for five years, Linda Davis is singing new songs with a new attitude

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

UPDATED: 6/5/2004 8:54AM :: updated by Clark ::

Reba's Recharged

For most artists, a smash run on Broadway followed by multiple seasons as the star of a network television show would qualify as the centerpiece of a career. For Reba McEntire, it was something to do while taking a break from her day job.

CLICK HERE to read the full article

UPDATED: 6/5/2004 8:27AM :: updated by BigRedReba ::

MARY REPORTS

Wonda and Mary here! We just returned to our hotel in NYC from the concert in CT tonight. Reba came down to talk to us because we set a record at The Today show for how long we were in line and she told us at the Today Show that she would see us at the concert tonight and when we asked a couple of people what that meant, we got 4 free tickets from Reba and her tour manager (Mike). The seats were awesome and the concert was even better. REBA's facial expressions were the highlight of the show. Linda Davis performed a song and did a good job as well. For anyone attending a REBA concert this summer, we guarantee you a great time!!! Bye!

UPDATED: 6/4/2004 10:48AM :: updated by Clark ::

THIS JUST IN...

Reba turned in an incredible performance this morning on NBC’s Today Show. Reps for the program called it their biggest audience yet this season for the outdoor concert series. The artist kicks off her US tour tonight in Uncasville, CT, for what promises to be one of the most anticipated tours of the summer. Reba has been absent from the concert stage since 2001, instead focusing on her hit WB sitcom, Reba. In the meanwhile, her current single ”Somebody,” from the MCA Nashville CD Room To Breathe continues to climb the country music charts. Reba’s tour is sponsored by Whirlpool, and benefits Habitat For Humanity.

Jennifer Bohler

UPDATED: 6/4/2004 10:31AM :: updated by Clark ::

Bid on Reba's car!

Bid now!
Reba McEntire's 1998 Boxster Cabriolet

CONFIRMED
There is currently an auction running on Ebay. The auction claims this is Reba's car but Reba never drove it. It's actually Narvel's car.

UPDATED: 6/4/2004 10:02AM :: updated by Clark ::

Photos from TODAY - pun intended!

Click thumbnails for full image

UPDATED: 6/4/2004 9:42AM :: updated by Clark ::

Reba on Today

Watch the Performance

Reba performs "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain," "I'm A Survivor," and "Somebody" on the Toyota Concert Series on Today.

UPDATED: 6/3/2004 6:24PM :: updated by Clark ::

Reba helps make cancer patient's dream a reality.

Thanks to the folks at the Meijer Country Stampede in Sparta, Kentucky. They’ve arranged for a courageous cancer survivor to realize a dream to meet Reba McEntire this weekend.

The daughter of a local Corbin, Kentucky resident, Courtnie Allen, wrote to the festival chair with an emotional request on her mother’s behalf. Her mother, Patricia Allen, was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago and metastatic liver cancer four years later.

A letter from Courtnie requested information on contests or chances for her and her mother to win tickets to the festival to see Reba perform on June 6. It said that she could not afford to purchase tickets for her mother due to expenses associated with her mother’s cancer.

Immediately, the Meijer Country Stampede staff began to work on a way to help this local Kentucky family with their wish. "We decided that we wanted to help make this woman's dream come true, so we've arranged for Courtnie and Patricia to meet Reba and get free admission to the festival. We hope that it will provide additional strength for this amazing woman who has already endured so much," said Wayne Rouse.

Neil Haislop

UPDATED: 6/3/2004 5:53PM :: updated by Clark ::

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR REBA?

Reba is joining "Deborah Norville Tonight" for a full hour on Tuesday, June 8! Do you have questions for her? E-mail them to norville@msnbc.com so that Deb can ask them!

UPDATED: 6/3/2004 9:40AM :: updated by Bernie ::

REBA! REBA! REBA!

Watch this Friday, June 4th when the "Toyota Concert Series on Today" presents country music icon Reba McEntire as she sings live on Rockefeller Plaza. The four-time winner of the Academy of Country Music's "Top Female Vocalist of the Year" award will be performing songs from her lastest album "Room to Breathe."

NBC - FRIDAY, JUNE 4
7:00 a.m. ET

UPDATED: 6/2/2004 4:53PM :: updated by BigRedReba ::

ACM PHOTOS

All photos by fancyreba.com's Mary Roach.

UPDATED: 6/2/2004 3:12PM :: updated by Bernie ::

Reba Makes "Somebody's" Day at Meijer's Kentucky Country Stampede This Weekend

Out of roughly 140,000 fans that will be attending this year's Meijer Country Stampede in Sparta, Kentucky, one in particular stands out to festival president, Wayne Rouse. The daughter of a local Corbin, Kentucky resident, Courtnie Allen, wrote to the festival chair with an emotional request on her mother's behalf. Her mother, Patricia Allen, was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago and metastatic liver cancer four years later, and she has since looked for inspiration and comfort in a familiar icon of strength-Reba McEntire.

The letter from Courtnie Allen requested information on contests or chances for her and her mother to win tickets to the festival to see Reba perform on June 6th. It said that she could not afford to purchase tickets for her mother due to expenses associated with her mother's cancer. Immediately, the Meijer Country Stampede staff began to work on a way to help this local Kentucky family with their wish. "We decided that we wanted to help make this woman's dream come true, so we've arranged for Courtnie and Patricia to meet Reba and get free admission to the festival. We hope that it will provide additional strength for this amazing woman who has already endured so much," said Wayne Rouse.

Patricia Allen was told that she only had a maximum of six months to live, and two years later she's still fighting. "I decided against chemotherapy because I wanted my remaining days with my family to be spent as naturally as possible," Patricia said calmly in an interview earlier today. She has drawn inspiration from both Reba's lyrics and attitude, and it is this strength that has kept her with her family. "Anytime my mom is feeling down, she'll put in one of Reba's albums and she has more energy. She's a country music fan, but there's something about Reba's music that encourages my mother, and that's why I want her to have a chance to hear her live. I believe that Reba's music has influenced my mother's attitude, and that, combined with my mother's will, has kept her alive," said Courtnie.

Reba will be performing Sunday, June 6th at 8:00 PM at the Meijer Country Stampede in Sparta, Kentucky at the Kentucky Speedway, and Patricia will be among the many in the crowd thanks to her daughter's love and her amazing strength.

UPDATED: 6/2/2004 2:17PM :: updated by Bernie ::

Whirlpool worker wins visit to 'Today' show, chance to meet Reba McEntire

In 35 years of work at Whirlpool Corp., Paul Patrick has never been called into the office. So when he was called in last week, he couldn't imagine what he could've done.

He had it all wrong.

It was in the office over a conference call that Patrick received great news: The tool and die maker was one of five Whirlpool employees nationwide to win a trip to New York for NBC's live "Today" show, where he'll meet country music star Reba McEntire.

McEntire is to perform on the show Friday, then kick off a tour in Uncasville, Conn. that night.

"It was a shock," the 54-year-old Patrick said. "I'm not that lucky."

If there's time on the show, the five winners might be introduced on air. The "Today" show airs from 7 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday on NBC.

Either way, the vacation doesn't stop there. Patrick and the four others will hop on a train and follow Reba to Connecticut -- they've also got tickets to see the show.

"He called me and he says, 'You'll never guess what happened today," said Paul Patrick's wife, Connie. "I won the Reba tickets!' And you sit there and you're kind of stunned -- it's like winning the lottery.

"I just said, 'What? Out of all those people?' "

Connie, Paul's wife of 36 years, doesn't get to go on the trip, but she's already told him she wants autographed pictures of "Today" hosts Katie Couric, Al Roker and Matt Lauer. Instead she'll watch the program from Clyde.

"I watch it all the time," she said. "I love the Today Show."

Paul -- who said he really enjoys country music -- said he's most excited to meet Reba and actually see New York. He's never been there. On Thursday, the group will get a tour of Central Park, but other than that, it's to the Today Show, and off to Connecticut with a couple provided meals in between.

He'll fly home Saturday.

"It's almost going to be like a working vacation it's going to go so fast," Paul Patrick said.

The contest was offered through a partnership between Habitat for Humanity International and the Whirlpool Corp. Whirlpool is sponsoring Reba's tour -- which runs through September -- to raise awareness and encourage involvement in Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian housing organization whose volunteers help build affordable houses for people who lack adequate shelter. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 50,000 houses with families throughout the United States and another 100,000-plus houses in communities around the world, according to the organization's Web site.

Whirlpool currently donates a refrigerator and range to every Habitat for Humanity home built in North America as part of its $25 million commitment to the organization's More Than Houses campaign.

UPDATED: 6/2/2004 12:53PM :: updated by Bernie ::

Chart Updates

Reba moves from 12 to 11 in R&R and 15 to 14 in Billboard this week.

UPDATED: 6/1/2004 12:53PM :: updated by Clark ::

Return Of Reba

After a three-year hiatus, country queen Reba McEntire is returning to the road this summer.

The singer, who has spent most of the last few years concentrating on her hit TV show "Reba," will hit amphitheatres and fairgrounds for four months in support of her new album.

She warmed up for the tour May 26 by hosting and performing at the Academy Of Country Music Awards. The outing begins in earnest June 1 in Rama, Ontario, and is scheduled to wrap September 26 in Grand Forks, N.D.

A San Francisco date is on the books for November, so don't be surprised if she continues to announce shows late into the year.

McEntire last toured in 2001 on the Girls' Night Out ticket with Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Jamie O'Neal and Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Room To Breathe, her first studio album in four years, was released in late 2003 and features guests including Phil Collins, Vince Gill and Alison Krauss.

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