Reba McEntire Honors Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn with an Emotional Opry Performance
Who better to open the Opry’s 100th anniversary than Reba McEntire?
Standing on that legendary stage, Reba McEntire honored two of country music’s most iconic voices. Without a band behind her, she began singing “Sweet Dreams (Of You)” completely a cappella. The audience fell silent, captivated by every note. As the band gradually joined in, she transitioned seamlessly into “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man),” a song that resonates just as powerfully today as it did when Loretta Lynn first recorded it in 1966.
Reba McEntire’s performance at the Opry 100: A Live Celebration is heaven. 😍 Watch on @peacock! pic.twitter.com/y1TucE2Fid
— E! News (@enews) March 20, 2025
By the time she hit the last note, the Opry House was already on its feet, and you could feel the history in the air.
A Tribute That Showed Country Music’s Deep Roots
Before she even started singing, Reba McEntire ensured the crowd knew exactly why this moment mattered. She spoke about Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, two of her biggest heroes, and how much they paved the way for women in country music.
Patsy Cline was a force of nature. Bold, confident, and one of country music’s greatest vocalists. Loretta Lynn built an entire career on songs that told the raw, honest truth about life, love, and hardship. McEntire, who followed in their footsteps, made sure their legacy was honored in the best way possible.
Her performance of “Sweet Dreams (Of You)” felt like a quiet moment of reflection, a nod to Cline’s one-of-a-kind voice. Then came “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man),” a song that still has as much fire and fight as it did nearly six decades ago.
View this post on Instagram
It was not just a tribute. It proved that these women’s voices still echo through country music today.
Reba Proved That Legends Never Fade
Reba McEntire’s performance wasn’t just a tribute to the past—it was a powerful reminder of how deeply Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn continue to inspire the artists who grace the Opry stage today.
After her moving tribute, Reba was joined by Trisha Yearwood for a show-stopping duet of “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” a song rich with storytelling that captivated the audience from start to finish.
View this post on Instagram
Fans watching from home could not get enough. Social media was flooded with reactions like “Reba singing Patsy Cline at Opry 100 is everything” and “That Loretta Lynn cover was pure perfection.” One fan summed it up perfectly: “This is why country music will always have my heart.”
Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn may be gone, but their music is still alive. And thanks to artists like Reba McEntire, their impact will never be forgotten.
