Reba was born on march 28, 1955 in McAlester, Oklahoma to a family of champion steer ropers. “While growing up reba and her three siblings spent time traveling to and from their father’s world championship rodeo performances (Biography.com Editors).” Reba’s mother, Jacqueline, inspired her children's musical talent. During many long rides to their fathers rodeo performances they would pass time by singing and learning to harmonize. By the time reba was in the
ninth grade, her and her two younger siblings decided to form a group called the “Singing McEntires,” which they started to perform at rodeos. After a few years the group soon broke apart but reba continued to sing solo. It was not until 1974 that Reba caught her breakthrough when she was heard singing the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo by country music star Red Steagall.