[boyroder]

11 Questions With Reba McEntire:
by Deborah Evans-Price


With a winning combination of artistic vision and business savvy, Reba McEntire continues to make headlines as one of country music's most creative and relevant artists. This year, she toured with pal Kelly Clarkson and released a three-CD collection featuring 50 of her greatest hits. She'll start the New Year working on her first album for her new label home, Valory Music Co. Always entertaining, the Oklahoma-born redhead took time out from holiday fun to chat with The Boot.

No. 11 Which of your hit songs best represents who you are as a person?

I would say 'Fancy,' because 'Fancy' is a situation where you started with nothing and built up and you worked hard. Not that I was a prostitute and my momma gave me away to a man! It is that idea of the Annie Oakley and the Molly Brown. It is the determination and that that gut-wrenching [attitude of] 'My golly, I am going to do it!'

No. 10 How will you and your husband, Narvel Blackstock, celebrate your 20th wedding anniversary?

He has not told me yet. He is the planner and the schemer. I am the one who goes and does it. I am anxious to see what he has lined up. We have been married 20 years next June third, but we have been working together 29 years.

No. 9 What makes your marriage work?

Respect. We highly respect each other. We like each other. We love each other, but that respect has to be there. I respect his judgment and he respects mine. I think that is one of the strongest things in a relationship.

No. 8 Any new acting projects on the horizon -- TV, movies or Broadway?

We are having meetings and looking at scripts. Hopefully a new TV show will be in the making soon. Los Angeles and the television business have changed drastically since we quit doing the 'Reba' show because of all the strikes. Everything is done differently now, but hopefully we will get another one in the making real soon.

No. 7 You recently moved to the same label family as Taylor Swift. Do you have any advice for her?

'Enjoy it. It will not last forever.' I know that it is a lot of work, but she seems to be enjoying it. Every time I see her, she is beaming. So I do not think there is a problem there. She is very grounded. My two grandkids that are two and five years old just absolutely worship her, especially my grandson Mason. He said, 'Do you think you can get Taylor Swift to come over and babysit me?' Is that not just the sweetest thing?

No. 6 If you could write a letter to yourself at nineteen, what would you say?

Oh my gosh, quit taking things and myself so seriously. Enjoy life! Quit being so stressed out over the little things. It is not worth it. Relax and enjoy life.

No. 5 Your son Shelby is heading to college next fall. What makes you most proud of him?

I love the way that he will come and hug my neck and his daddy's neck, and he says 'I love you.' He is very responsible. He has turned the corner and he is very disciplined in his school work. He is taking honors classes now. He has just taken a huge leap this past year. He is a good kid. He has good morals and he treats people fairly.

No. 4 What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?

I love to piddle with my pictures. I am a big picture fanatic. I love when people send me pictures that I don't have. I can scan them and put them in my computer, and I am archiving right now. So that is probably what I will do this afternoon is sit on the computer and continue to archive my pictures.

No. 3 Who's someone you'd love to duet with someday?

I always thought Bette Midler would be a hoot. Wouldn't that be fun?

No. 2 What is your favorite song recorded by someone else?

'The Weekend' by Steve Wariner. Narvel and I have always loved that one. I have always loved Steve's voice. He is great.

No. 1 You have accomplished so much in your life and career, what are your goals for the future?

What I am gunning for is to make more friends. You can never have enough friends. I am not talking about acquaintances -- you can have a lot of those -- I am talking about friends. Friendship is a job. You have to nurture a friendship, and it is sometimes easier to say 'Oh well, I do not care,' but friendships are very important to me.