Reba McEntire is one of the most successful and influential country singers of all time, with a career spanning over four decades and countless awards and accolades. But did you know that she has a younger sister who is also a country singer? Her name is Susie McEntire-Eaton, and she is a contemporary Christian music artist who has been making waves in the gospel country scene. In this article, we will explore the relationship between the two sisters, their musical journeys, and their collaborations.
Contents
The Singing McEntires
Reba and Susie were born and raised in Oklahoma, along with their older brother Pake and older sister Alice. Their parents, Clark and Jacqueline McEntire, were both involved in the rodeo world and encouraged their children to pursue their talents. Reba, Pake, and Susie all showed an interest in music from a young age, and with their mother’s help, they formed a band called The Singing McEntires. They performed at local events and recorded for a small label, singing mostly traditional country songs.
Reba was the first to pursue a professional music career, after being discovered by country singer Red Steagall at a rodeo event in 1974. She signed with Mercury Records and moved to Nashville with her mother, who became her manager. Pake and Susie continued to sing with Reba as backup vocalists until they also launched their own solo careers in the early 1980s. Pake had some success as a country singer, scoring several hits on the Billboard charts, while Susie focused on Christian country music, inspired by her faith.
Reba’s Rise to Fame
Reba’s career took off in the mid-1980s, when she switched to MCA Records and adopted a more traditional country sound. She scored her first number one hit with “Can’t Even Get the Blues” in 1983, and followed it with many more chart-toppers throughout the decade. She also won several awards, including her first Grammy for “Whoever’s in New England” in 1987. She became known for her powerful voice, emotional storytelling, and versatile style, covering genres from pop to rock to gospel.
Reba also ventured into acting, appearing in films such as Tremors (1990) and The Little Rascals (1994), as well as starring in her own sitcom Reba (2001-2007). She also faced some personal tragedies, such as losing eight of her band members in a plane crash in 1991, and divorcing her first husband Charlie Battles in 1987 and her second husband Narvel Blackstock in 2015. She has one son, Shelby Blackstock, who is a race car driver.
Reba has remained one of the most popular and respected country artists of all time, selling over 75 million records worldwide and earning the title of “The Queen of Country”. She has also been inducted into several halls of fame, including the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. She continues to release new music and tour regularly, as well as collaborate with other artists from different genres.
Susie’s Gospel Career
Susie followed a different path from her sister, choosing to sing Christian country music that reflected her beliefs and values. She released her debut album Real Love in 1993, which reached number 39 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart. She has since released several more albums, including Come As You Are (1995), Raised on Faith (1999), Let Go (2008), and Chase the Wind (2012). She has also won numerous awards and nominations from various Christian music organizations, such as the Gospel Music Association and the Christian Country Music Association.
Susie has also used her music as a platform to share her personal story and inspire others. She has been open about her struggles with domestic abuse in her first marriage to rodeo cowboy Paul Luchsinger, whom she divorced in 2008 after 25 years. She has also spoken about her journey of healing and finding love again with her second husband Mark Eaton, whom she married in 2009. Eaton is an American theologian, climber, and public speaker who shares Susie’s passion for faith and adventure.
Susie is also involved in various media projects that combine her love for music and ministry. She is one of the hosts of Cowboy Church on RFD-TV, a program that features gospel music and Western traditions. She also produces a podcast called Susie Says So!, where she interviews guests from different walks of life about their stories of hope and grace.
The Sisters’ Collaboration
Reba and Susie have always maintained a close bond as sisters and friends, despite their different musical styles and careers. They have supported each other through their highs and lows, and have often performed together on stage or recorded songs together. Some of their notable collaborations include:
- “Sky Full of Angels”: Reba recorded a solo version of this song for her 2003 album Room to Breathe, and later recorded a duet version with Susie for Susie’s 2005 album Count It All Joy.
- “I’ll Fly Away”: Reba, Susie, and their older sister Alice sang this classic gospel song with their mother Jacqueline for Reba’s 2017 album Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope. The album was Reba’s first gospel project and won a Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album.
- “Does He Love You”: Reba and Susie performed this iconic duet, originally recorded by Reba and Linda Davis in 1993, at the 2018 CMA Awards. The performance was part of a tribute to Reba, who received the Kennedy Center Honors that year.
Reba and Susie have also expressed their admiration and respect for each other as artists and sisters. In an interview with Nash Country Daily, Reba said of Susie: “She’s got a great voice. She’s got a great heart. She’s got a great message.” In an interview with Jesus Calling, Susie said of Reba: “She’s my big sister. She’s my hero. She’s my mentor. She’s my friend.”
