I admit it: I learned of Reba McEntire’s 70th birthday on Facebook. Like many others, I was disappointed to find out the reality star and country legend’s secret is keeping a low profile. A spokesperson for the singer told TMZ that she is home recovering from a recent surgery. That should come as no surprise to anyone with a general knowledge of the path through life. In fact, her silence seems entirely fitting. McEntire turns 70 on April 27. She’s still a working lady, busy performing some of her most classic hits in stadiums and arenas across the country, wowing devoted fans who understand the magic behind McEntire’s sound and delivery and remember the long-standing success of her genre. But McEntire’s career goes way back, and her interests extend far beyond writing and singing.
McEntire received the “Entertainer of the Year” award from the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1998. As a genre-defying performer, she has been nominated for an Oscar, earned a Grammy, and won six ACM awards for Best Female Vocalist, Album of the Year, and Female Vocalist of the Year, among other accolades.
“You can not look at Reba McEntire and not think country music,” Donald Trump said during a visit to Nashville last week with his cabinet. Not bad for a four-time inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
McEntire won’t be slowing down anytime soon. I spoke with McEntire’s publicist Wednesday afternoon, and while her team declined to confirm the date of her 70th birthday, they did say McEntire is “already looking at a busy schedule for 2019.” It’s a not a bad way to spend your golden years!