Reba McEntire shared a sweet story about her son, Shelby Blackstock, when she shared a heartfelt message during the 2024 American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special on Sunday evening (October 6).

The beloved country legend reflected on some of her most cherished AMAs memories in a pre-recorded video that aired during the show, which was held in Los Angeles, California. Performers who took the stage throughout the evening included Brad Paisley (with a tribute to late legend Charley Pride), Kane Brown (with a tribute to beloved country star Alan Jackson), Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Green Day, Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, RAYE and Stray Kids, with special appearances by many others.

“One of the funniest things that happened at the AMAs one year is my son Shelby, who was about 12 years old, did not want to go to the show,” McEntire said of her son, now 34. “He wanted to stay home (and) play his video games, and I talked him into going with us. We were right on the front row, and he was still a little disgruntled until Britney Spears came over and sat right beside of him. And he was like, ‘oh, my gosh!’”

McEntire said over the years, the American Music Awards has meant “the world to me,” and reminisced on her 1991 performance on the AMAs stage of her iconic anthem, “Fancy.” She said it’s a memory she holds “near and dear to my heart.” Watch McEntire share her AMAs memories — including the story about her son — here: