Country Queen Set to Sing the National Anthem at the Biggest Football Game of the Year
Reba McEntire's voice was first heard around the world in December of 1974 in the iconic Jim Norrick Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the 1974 National Finals Rodeo when she sang the emblematic “Star Spangled Banner,” the country’s national anthem at the mere age of 19 years old.
Reba singing the National Anthem at the 1974 National Finals Rodeo.
Following the rodeo, Reba was invited to the Justin Boots suite at the Hilton hotel, where rodeo contestants were lodged. It was in the suite where legendary Red Steagall, to whom Reba credits a significant part of her success, was playing the guitar with other rodeo cowboys. When it was Reba's turn to sing, her exceptional talent from this a cappella performance impressed Red. This paved the way for a record deal with Polygram Mercury Records only a few months later, thanks to the legendary cowboy poet himself.
An autographed picture of Reba and Red Steadgall to Reba from Red.
Today, having a more than four-decade reign of number 1 hits, Reba is a household name. She’s earned the title of the “Queen of Country Music,” selling more than 56 million albums worldwide. She has also amassed 15 American Music Awards (AMA), 13 Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards, nine People’s Choice Awards, seven Country Music Association awards, and three Grammy Awards.
Reba receiving an Academy of Country Music Award early in her career.
Marking a full-circle moment, Reba is set to sing the National Anthem at the biggest football game of the year, 50 years after her debut singing the anthem at the National Finals Rodeo.
The most anticipated game of the season is expected to kick off on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 6:30 PM ET on CBS. We are looking forward to watching her perform just as much as we are looking forward to watching the game.
