OMAHA PHOTOS

CLICK THUMBNAIL FOR FULL IMAGE

-Photos by Jason Luedtke

CLICK HERE to discuss in our forum.

Reba at the Ralph

Queen of country rocks Grand Forks

By Paulette Tobin

Letting loose a string of hits mixed with the newest stuff from her latest album, Reba McEntire brought a show to Grand Forks on Sunday night that was both righteous and rowdy, just like country music was meant to be.

Her 90-minute show in Ralph Engelstad Arena ranged from the loving and losing songs she's made famous, such as "We're So Good Together" and "Whoever's in New England," to heartbreak songs such as "He Gets That From Me" from the "Room to Breathe" album she released earlier this year.

In a world of country/pop music crossovers, Reba remains as country as cornbread and still manages a sophistication worthy of the star she's become. With a career now in its fourth decade, 22 No. 1 songs, roles on Broadway and in the movies, and her own television show, she's in a league of her own.

Reba's diehard fans rely on her to bring authenticity to every song. Country music may change, they say, but Reba doesn't.

"She has just been around for so long, and she is so much what country is," said Lisa Christianson of Fertile, Minn., who got in line at 8 a.m. when tickets for Reba's show went on sale and scored seats in the front row.

Christianson and a small group of female relatives and friends wore white T-shirts that they'd decorated to spell out "Hi Reba" from the front, and "Bye Reba" from the back. The group included her sister-in-law, also named Lisa Christianson, Joy Dale, Stacy Arends, Lindi Christianson and Amanda Christianson.

On stage Sunday night, Reba looked fabulous. Her trademark red hair was feathered and chic, and she wore skintight black jeans with silver studs down each side and a sequined, black tank top.

She sounded pretty fabulous, too. Backed by an outstanding band and featured singer Linda Davis, she rolled out one great song after another, including "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia," "I'm Gonna Take that Mountain," "The Greatest Man I Never Knew," "Love Revival, "Somebody," "Forever Love," "I'm a Survivor," "Take It Back," "Why Haven't I Heard From You," "Is There Life Out There?" and "Fancy."

Linda Davis soloed on "That's Just Love Sneaking Up On You." Watching her team with Reba on the plaintive "Does He Love You (Like He Loves Me)?", I found myself bemused. I couldn't have been the only person in the audience wondering why two women this hot would be fighting over a man who couldn't make up his mind which one he wanted. They should have been singing about kicking this loser to the curb.

But, hey, where would country or Reba be without those cheating songs?

Opening for McEntire were the Roosters, a four-piece rocking country band out of Fargo that did a fine job covering Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. The guys closed their part of the show with a great rendition of Big and Rich's "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy."

CLICK HERE to discuss in our forum.