As I begin this, we don’t have any snow on the ground. By the time I finish it, I think we may have a bit. UPDATE: I think we have about 10-11 inches on the ground right now! Yay!!! The forecast is calling this a monster storm that’s tracking south. We are well stocked and anticipating staying home for the duration. The worst thing (besides about 12 inches of snow) will be the temperatures. Our warmest day next week will be Tuesday when it’s supposed to get up to 21 (-6C) with most days hovering around 10 (-12C). All of my sources are saying the predictions are true so we shall see. I’m more worried for our neighbors to the south who are expected to get ice. Give me snow any day! You can usually make your way slowly through it, but ice is a completely different thing altogether. Anyway, welcome to the last Monday in January and another edition of Songful Style! Suzy and Shelbee decided to riff (see what I did there) on Style Imitating Art only with music! Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of Suzy Turner, and I make up the bloggers in this group. You can find all of us on our blogs and Instagram. Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. Shelbee chose this month’s song. Last time, I selected “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young. Oh, and there’s a link party, too!
The artist…
Reba McEntire was born in McAlester, Oklahoma on March 28, 1955. I have always liked Reba even though I’m not a big fan of Country Western music. And, after learning she earned a degree in Elementary Education, I like her even more! She was the third of four children and was raised on a ranch in Chockie, OK. Her grandfather, John Wesley McEntire, was a world-champion steer roper in 1934. Her father won the same title in 1957, 1958, and 1961. Her mother wanted to become a country singer but was a schoolteacher, librarian, and secretary…I hope not at the same time! She must have been one tired woman. Interestingly, Reba wrote in her autobiography, “When we were growing up, I used to regret that Daddy never told us that he loved us.” Her mother, however, was very affectionate with her children. OK, this is kinda funny yet kinda gross at the same time…living on a ranch means working on a ranch. And, just because you’re a kid doesn’t get you out of chores before and after school. Two of those chores could be castrating bulls and giving them worm medicine!
A little more…
Early on, the four McEntire kids were singing. Their mother taught them to sing in harmony on car trips to their father’s rodeo dates. Reba began performing in first grade when she sang “Away in a Manger” at the Christmas pageant. She joined 4-H and won first place in the Junior Act Division when she sang “My Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown.” In addition to singing, Reba played piano and guitar. She also played basketball and ran track. She even trained to be a barrel racer!
Still more…
Her first band, made up of her siblings, was called the Kiowa High School Cowboy Band. They even had paying gigs at bars at dance halls near Oklahoma City. Once her brother graduated from high school, the band broke up. Reba attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University and majored in El Ed with a minor in music. In 1974, Reba sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. Red Steagall, a country artist, heard her singing. Reba, along with her mom and siblings, met him at a hotel party the same week. She sang an a capella version of Dolly Parton’s “Joshua.” Reba’s mom asked Steagall for help getting contracts for all three. After returning to Nashville. Steagall told Jacqueline McEntire, “I can’t take all three. But I could take Reba. She’s got something a little different.” In March 1975, Reba and her mother left for Nashville to record a demo tape. Steagall hoped to pitch it ot several record labels. After confessing she was a little nervous about doing this, her mom said, “Now, Reba, let me tell you something. If you don’t want to go to Nashville, we don’t have to do this. But I’m living all my dreams through you.” The conversation changed her mind and they continued on to Nashville.
Even more…
Needless to say, Reba was signed to PolyGram/Mercury Records. She was with them from 1975 to 1984 when she signed with MCA Records. She had had little success with PolyGram and hoped to gain some recognition with MCA. Through the 80s, Reba released nine studio albums. Her breakout occurred with her second MCA album, My Kind of Country. The album contained two number one Billboard country singles. She had 10 more number one country hits. These included “Whoever’s in New England,” which earned her a Grammy for Best Country Female Vocal Artist. The album was also certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of one million copies.A pop-oriented album released in 1990, Rumor Has It, was the first disc in Reba’s career to reach the top 40 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. It would be her highest-selling album, certifying three times platinum from the RIAA. It featured the Bobbie Gentry 1969 single, “Fancy” which would go on to become one of Reba’s signature songs.
Getting close…
In 1991, tragedy struck when eight of her band members died in a plane crash in San Diego. That led to Reba’s critically acclaimed For My Broken Heart. That album is her highest selling album to date. The 90s saw her reach more commercial success with Read My Mind, What If It’s You, and If You See Him. Now, I know that last album because it contained “If You See Him/If You See Her,” a duet (or would that be a trio) with Brooks and Dunn. I happen to like them because Nigel is always playing their YouTube videos! And, I will probably wake up tomorrow with that song running through my head!
Still more…
In January 1990, you might have seen Reba in Tremors (oh, those worm things…ewww)! In 2001, Reba played the role of Annie Oakley on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun. That same year saw the beginning of her eponymous TV series, Reba, which aired for six seasons. She also guest starred on Young Sheldon as well as being a coach on four seasons of The Voice. She currently stars in Happy’s Place as well as those annoying funny Realtor.com ads. Over the course of four decades, Reba has released 32 studio albums and has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. She also owns a restaurant and a clothing line which is sold in Cracker Barrel restaurants/stores!
Finally…
Reba made her Grand Ole Opry debut on September 17, 1977. On January 17, 1986, she was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. In 2011, the Country Music Association inducted Reba into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She was unable to attend the announcement because her father had had a stroke and was in a coma. Reba attended the official induction ceremony and was inducted by Dolly Parton. Reba, along with Cher, Philip Glass, and Wayne Shorter, was one of four honorees for the 41st annual Kennedy Center Honors in December 2018. She continues to make music and live life to the fullest!
The song…
The greatest man I never knew
Lived just down the hall
And every day we said, “Hello”
But never touched at all
He was in his paper
I was in my room
How was I to know he thought I hung the moon?
The greatest man I never knew
Came home late every night
He never had too much to say
Too much was on his mind
I never really knew him
Oh, and now it seems so sad
Everything he gave to us, took all he had
Then the days turned into years
And the memories to black and white
He grew cold like an old winter wind
Blowing across my life
The greatest words I never heard
I guess I’ll never hear
The man I thought could never die
Has been dead almost a year
Oh, he was good at business
But there was business left to do
He never said he loved me
Guess he thought I knew
What it means…
Well, I have to admit this one cuts a little close to home for me. The song is about a child who never really gets to know their dad. In this case, the father was a hard-working guy who seemed to never be home as far as the kid was concerned. And, the irony is both loved the other deeply but never uttered the words. My dad died before I was 17. I’m sure, when I was a toddler, he must have told me he loved me. I don’t remember either of us ever saying those words. But, I knew, with every cell of my body, I was loved. I am just hoping he knew how very much I loved him, too.
The video…
This is a live version. I couldn’t find an official version, but this is also the one from which I took my inspiration!
Interesting covers…
She really does a nice job. In fact, I didn’t find any stinkers! They’re all good!
Well, this one’s a bit iffy.
Still no Leo…
My interpretation…
I really struggled with this one at first. I kept looking for the official video for the song, but the only thing I could find had a static image of an album cover. Then, I found a live video (referenced above) with Reba wearing a black gown with a large sparkling something or other on the bodice. Once I found that, I knew exactly what I would wear. This is the Soiree dress by April Cornell. I’m guessing it’s about 10 years old. Interestingly, I wore it once before for a different Songful Style (here). The fabric is rayon with a jacquard like print embossed on it. After I added the brooch, I thought it was a pretty good interpretation.
The Lewk!
I decided to “cowboy” it up a bit with my Rodeha boots. That’s the exact first sentence I used for The Lewk for our last Songful Style. It definitely applies here, too! I added this sparkly brooch I got at LS Ayres (now Macy’s) decades ago. The earrings are new and are from J Crew.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I apologize for the abbreviated post. There is just so much about Reba McEntire! She’s truly an institution of the Country music scene. I love her spunky attitude or at least the one she puts out there. If you’re interested, you can always google her because there is lots more to this talented woman! So, can we talk? Will you wake up with a tune running through your head tomorrow after this post? How do you feel about country music? Have you bought any clothing from Reba’s line? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
Thank you so very much for reading today’s post. I hope you enjoyed it. I also very much appreciate those of you who comment, email and/or subscribe. It’s what keeps me going! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Affiliate links, discount codes, and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. My April Cornell code, MARSHA15, now works, but it’s good for only one use. You can get $15 off $100. I’d wait and use it during a really good sale! Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. Use MARSHA15 at Katia Designs for 15% off your order. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, and Sue. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Link up with me, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!
Marsha, you look fabulous in this black ensemble! And you really nailed it with your inspiration video! I just went with the words, black and white, from the lyrics and went in that direction!
I hope you’re staying safe and warm!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Aww, thanks, my beautiful friend! It was hard since there were so few videos of her actually singing the song. I was so happy when I found that one! We are definitely staying safe and warm…huddled under the electric blanket and watched an episode of Bailey Sarian on YouTube! Do you ever watch her? I love her videos!
I didn’t know Reba had a clothing line. I used to watch the show Reba and I’ve listened to a few of her songs (at some point I’m sure) but didn’t really know anything else about her. You look fabulous!
Thanks, Joanne! I didn’t know she did, either. We rarely go to Cracker Barrel, but you can bet I’m going to look for it now! The only song I really knew was the one with Brooks and Dunn.
I do love Reba McEntire and now I like her even more! This song really is bittersweet. My dad was not overly affectionate but I know we always ended calls with love you. I can’t imagine not ever hearing him say the words.
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! I think I wrote this in the post, but I honestly can’t remember my dad ever telling me he loved me. I knew it, of course, but he was really a private person and hated PDAs. He didn’t even like to see Mike and I holding hands. I was only 16 when he died so I never asked him about his life. He was in Korea during the Korean War as a lineman. Mike tells me that meant he was probably on the front lines so maybe he saw something there that changed him. This makes him sound so distant. He wasn’t at all. He was one of the funniest people I knew, but he also had this intensely private side. I don’t even know that I saw him kiss Mom in front of us kids. He’s been gone so long from my life, but I still miss him every day. This song really hit home for me in so many ways.
What a pretty outfit, it looks so good on you!
I know next to nothing about Country Western (except having watched Sissy Spacek in “The Coal Miner’s Daughter). I don’t know the song and never even heard the name Reba McEntire although I must have seen her in “Tremors”! 😉
Thanks, Cat! I’m not into Country Western music, but Mike loves it! Whenever we’d do home improvement projects, he’d always have it on. I now like the Outlaws because they don’t have that twangy, my mama died, my truck is old, and I need beer kinda sound. I actually don’t remember her in Tremors, but I’m not rewatching that movie just to see her! It gave me the heebie jeebies the first and only time I watched it!
I loved learning about Reba! I have to confess that I never loved her until she became a coach on The Voice, and then I fell in love with her old show, Reba. I have always enjoyed her music, but you taught me a lot about her today. I have her cookbook and need to read it; I don’t think it’s all about cooking. I shared a link from a blog post I wrote a couple of weeks ago; every week on my blog I share something called “inspired writing Tuesdays”, and I go deep. I am newly divorced (my husband of 28 years decided he didn’t want to be married anymore, but what really happened is that he had an affair and we went through what I call an unwanted divorce), and a lot of the time on those days, I share my feelings and emotions about what I went through. I hope you’ll check it out and visit my blog again soon! I write there everyday, and have for the last twenty years. Thanks for hosting today!
Thanks, Jenn! You’ve been blogging for 20 years? I’m impressed. I’m so sorry you’ve gone through this kind of situation. Many of our “couple friends” from earlier years in our marriage are now divorced. I think Mike and I were just meant to be as we will celebrate 50 years in June. I will definitely visit your blog. I cannot imagine the heartbreak you suffered. Again, I’m sorry this happened to you.
Loved reading this so much!! You are so very talented, my friend. Reba is one of the greatest musicians ever! Loved reading all that info on her.
I woke up the other morning to Islands in the Stream…? As one of my sons would say when he was MUCH younger, “What da heck?”
Much Love,
Mayo
Aw, thanks, Mayo! I was really surprised to read how long it took her to get her flowers. She really is a superstar and savvy businesswoman. Oh, now I’m going to wake up to that song, and I really, really don’t like it! Love you, too, my friend!
I didn’t know this about Reba..wow.
And I adore the brooch addition. Definitely perfect
Xoxo
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I knew you’d love the brooch! It’s an oldie, but a goodie! My post was getting so long so I had to abbreviate it and just do some referring to links! Reba is such a superstar, but I bet she’s just like the girl next door, don’t you?
Beautiful interpretation, my friend. I love how you and Suzy both leaned into black for your outfits and I don’t think I have even a stitch of black in my outfit. This song really hits hard, doesn’t it? You were just a few years younger than me when I lost my father and I always regretted that I didn’t really get to know him. I was always a little jealous of my oldest sister who was in her late 20s, married with children, when he died. I feel like she had the opportunity to have an adult relationship with our father and I didn’t. That makes me sad but I rely on my sister as the keeper of my memories! Because she is older she just remembers more than I do from our childhood. I am so glad that you were able to get photos done for this challenge in the midst of the winter storm!
Shelbee
Thank you, my friend! It was interesting that Suzy and I both chose black though it was for different reasons. I have to admit that first line really threw me…I can still remember my dad lying in bed, struggling to draw breath as he slowly withered away. It was one of those memories that will never fade away. My older sister was lucky enough to have him walk her down the aisle. When I look at those photos now, I can see how very, very sick he was. He passed just three months after she married. I don’t think, though, that she had any more memories than I did when it came to Dad. She can tell me all kinds of things about family outings and such. I am so glad my kids got us Storyworth so they will have something to remember us by!
Reba is an amazing woman! She has experienced so much heartache in her life but she continues to be a positive light. Love the song and the dress you paired with it.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! I had not known about the crash killing so many of her band members. I can’t imagine the anguish she must have felt. I think she is pretty inspiring…singer, actress, businesswoman!
I love a black dress! It looks great on you!
I don’t know much Reba except for Fancy. I used to work at m cousin’s law firm and one of the lawyers he used to communicate with was named Fancy. Every time she called or I saw her name I could not help but think of this song and sing it in my head. I also thought one of the lines was “and her mama died in a heap out back”. Lol.
Thanks, Erin! I’ve had this dress for forever! It’s funny it’s appeared on the blog now twice, both for Songful Style. I’m not sure when I became aware of her…I know it was through Mike because he just loves a CW singer!
Liv and I love Reba! We started binge-watching Reba on Netflix a few summers ago and now it’s one of our favorite shows to watch as we decompress before bed. She’s great on the Voice too and seems like a genuinely nice person.
I didn’t know that. I have watched Reba a couple of times, and it seemed like everyone was having a good times. I get the sense she is a lot of fun and really nice, too. Thanks, Steph!
I didn’t know anything about Reba, but that is such a beautiful song! Love the dress you chose for this!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! It’s an old dress, but a good one…just like the song! I was surprised to read about what a savvy businessperson she was.
I’m so used to seeing you in bright colors and prints, Marsha. Who knew you also look stunning in black! And it’s a perfect ensemble for this song.
Awww, thanks, Christie! Yes, Mike always says he likes me best in black. I do wear it a lot more than I show on the blog. I’m glad you liked my look for the song!
I don’t really listen to country music and didn’t know much about Reba other than a few of her hits. It was interesting to learn more!
Thanks, Laura! I don’t listen to it unless Mike has it on in the background. I honestly knew very little about Reba, either.
Hi, Marsha – Just want to say that the one big sparkly brooch adds just the right subtle touch to your black dress. Looks great – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thanks so much, Angie! I thought just one was enough, too!