Earlier This Year, Reba McEntire Was Honored With the Western Heritage Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award

Each year, the Western Heritage Awards honors those who have made a huge impact in celebrating and living the Western way of life. In April, Reba McEntire took the stage to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award, delivering a nearly five-minute speech that showed her dedication to her Western roots and love for her country upbringing.

Although McEntire is known as one of the biggest stars in country music history, she has always stayed true to the values and work ethic she was raised with. Growing up on a cattle ranch in the small town of Chockie, Oklahoma, McEntire was surrounded by a family of farmers, ranchers, and steer ropers. This upbringing gave her an understanding of what it truly means to be a “Cowboy” or “Cowgirl.”

Mike Ingram, Gary Kinslow, and Red Steagall presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to McEntire. The moment was especially meaningful because Red Steagall played a significant role in helping McEntire’s music career take off. In 1974, Steagall attended the National Finals Rodeo where a young Reba McEntire sang the National Anthem. Her performance impressed him so much that he helped her land her first record deal.

Reba’s Emotional Acceptance Speech

While giving her acceptance speech, McEntire spoke without using any notes. She even mentioned that her boyfriend, Rex Linn, had been encouraging her to prepare something ahead of time.

“Rex has been on to me since about two weeks ago to write something up, and I said ‘I want it to come from my heart,’” she said. “Because this is such a special room, a special place for the McEntire family, to so many of my friends.”