Reba McEntire photo by Russ Harrington, courtesy of the Valory Music Co.

Long before she made a name for herself as a singer, Reba McEntire spent much of her childhood on the road, singing with her siblings and working rodeos, where her father was a championship-caliber steer roper.

She’s managed to build a 30-year music career and expand into acting and into fashion — and she’s gotten a pretty good reputation as a businesswoman, too. Given that the entertainment industry can be both fickle and ruthless, she’s had a phenomenally successful run.

Not surprisingly, some of her smarts come from her parents. Her dad is ultra-competitive, and her mom was a fierce defender of her family. Reba picked up those traits — and a strong ethical sense — from Clark and Jackie.

“They are both very honest people,” Reba told The Oklahoman. “Daddy’s handshake is better than a signed, witnessed and notarized contract. If he says it, he means it. They taught us that our word means a lot, shows our character. They taught us to look folks in the eye when we meet them and to shake their hand. They taught us how to work hard at a very early age, to take direction and take responsibility. They have always been my heroes. It was always my biggest goal in life for them to be proud of me.”

Not surprisingly, there’s a family thread running through many of Reba’s hits, including “The Greatest Man I Never Knew,” “Cowgirls Don’t Cry,” “Every Other Weekend” and “My Sister.” Family was also a central theme in her sitcom “Reba.”

She’s up for two Country Music Association awards Nov. 11. Reba’s nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and she’s joined by Brooks & Dunn as a finalist for Musical Event for “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.”

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