Reba McEntire, a beloved country music diva, knows all too well the pain of sadness and loss. In 1991, tragedy struck when she and her band members were involved in a fatal airplane crash. The incident took the lives of seven band members and her tour manager, leaving Reba and a few others behind.
The Day Everything Changed
On March 16, 1991, Reba and her band performed at a personal gathering in San Diego. After the show, the band members and tour manager boarded two aircraft at Brown Field Municipal Airport. Their destination was Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they were scheduled to perform next.
However, fate had a different plan in store for them. The first flight tragically crashed just ten miles east of the airport, claiming the lives of everyone on board. Meanwhile, the second jet safely made it to its destination.
According to Reba’s recollection during a poignant interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2012, the tragic accident occurred when the plane hit a boulder on the side of Otay Mountain. Devastatingly, there were no survivors.
The Heartbreaking News
Reba vividly remembers the moment she received the news. Her then-husband and manager, Narvel Blackstock, broke the devastating news to her in their hotel room in the early hours of the morning.
Narvel recounted the situation to the pilot, seeking answers about what had happened to their friends. When he returned to the hotel room, Reba asked the fateful question, “Are they OK?” Sadly, Narvel’s response shattered her hope. He replied, “I don’t believe so.”
Coping with Grief
The pain and loss from that tragic day still haunt Reba, even after 20 years. It’s something that never truly goes away. In an emotional moment, Reba shared with Oprah how Narvel went room to room with a phone, informing the families of the band members about the calamity. It was a heartbreaking experience that left an indelible mark on them both.
In the aftermath of the accident, Reba made the difficult decision to cancel the tour, turning down offers from fellow musicians like Vince Gill and Dolly Parton to step in and finish the shows with their bands. Instead, she channeled her grief into music, releasing a heartfelt album titled “For My Broken Heart.” The album paid tribute to her lost bandmates and debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It sold an astonishing four million copies in its first week, a testament to the empathy and connection Reba’s fans felt with her during this challenging time.
Honoring the Memories
Reba has carried the memories of her lost friends and bandmates with her throughout her career. Every year on the anniversary of the tragedy, she takes a moment to honor them. In 2014, she shared a touching tribute on Instagram, reminding her fans of the profound impact that day had on her life. And in 2016, on the 25th anniversary of the crash, she made a pilgrimage back to San Diego, sharing her journey with her followers on social media.
As Reba said, “Today marks the 25th anniversary of the plane accident.” She visited the accident scene by helicopter, believing that somehow her friends know how much they are missed. She expressed her deep condolences and prayers to all the families and friends affected by the tragedy.
Reba McEntire’s journey through sadness and loss reminds us that even in the darkest of times, music can provide solace and healing. Her strength and resilience continue to inspire her fans, who cherish her as not just a talented artist, but also a symbol of hope in the face of adversity.
