Reba McEntire is a renowned American singer, songwriter, and actress, often referred to as the “Queen of Country Music.” With over 75 million records sold globally, McEntire has established herself as a household name, with more than 100 singles making it to the Billboard Country Charts. Her career began in the late 1970s, but it was in the early 1980s that she truly found her breakthrough. From 2001 to 2007, McEntire starred in her own sitcom, Reba, further boosting her success.
Her first number-one song, “Can’t Even Get the Blues,” hit the charts in 1982, and in 1984, she signed with MCA Records. Her second album, My Kind of Country, marked her big break. Her most successful album, For My Broken Heart, came after the tragic loss of eight of her band members in a plane crash in 1991 and received critical acclaim. Another iconic song, “Fancy,” from her 1990 release Rumor Has It, became one of her signature hits.
In her personal life, McEntire has been married twice. Her first marriage was to rancher Charlie Battles from 1976 to 1987. After their divorce, McEntire moved to Nashville to pursue her music career. In 1989, she married her manager, Narvel Blackstock, and became a stepmother to his three children. Together, they had one son, Shelby Blackstock.
Shelby married Marissa Branch on February 12, 2022, in a breathtaking wedding at Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida. McEntire gave her son a memorable mother-son dance during the celebration. Shelby, 32, is the CEO of Hartland and a former race car driver, while Marissa is a beauty influencer and licensed esthetician. The couple met on Tinder, and their wedding location, particularly at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, held special meaning to them as it was where Shelby first said “I love you” and later proposed.
McEntire shared a touching moment at the wedding, reflecting on how the song “You’re Gonna Be (Always Loved by Me)” perfectly captured a mother’s love for her child. This emotional moment was one of the highlights of the day, further solidifying the significance of the celebration. Shelby, in an Instagram post, thanked everyone for making their wedding day magical, sharing how it was “the most magical day of my life.”
McEntire attended the wedding with her boyfriend, actor Rexx Linn, adding to the joy of this family milestone.
