1970s Country Legend Celebrates 50-Year Milestone with Special New Releases

RebaMcEntire is celebrating 50 years of music with, well, more music. 

The country singer and actress spoke to Varietyabout her legendary career. Throughout her five-decade career, she sold over 75 million records worldwide and had 100 singles reach the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. She knew she had to do something big for her golden anniversary in music. 

McEntire is coming out with a series of EPs. She will include one newly recorded track with a few of her past hits. The singer credits her manager, JustinMcIntosh, with this idea. 

“It’s genius to be able to bring a new song to the fans along with five songs that are in the catalog,” McEntire said. “I think it’s a genius idea because even when you are at a concert, you say, ‘OK, I’m gonna play you a new song.’ Everybody goes, ‘oh yeah,’ but they want to hear familiarity. 

She continued: “They want to hear songs where they can sing along and they know the words and it takes them back to a place the first time they heard it, or with their best friend or someone they love. So to prepare a brand new song with older songs that they already are familiar with and they love is genius. And I’m so glad to be a part of this project.”

The “Just a Little Love” singer began the EP release in April and will continue until December. 

McEntire spoke to Variety about another project close to her heart, her NBCsitcomHappy’s Place. 

“There is something about a four-camera TV show. It’s nostalgic. It takes you back. It takes me back to my childhood when I was watching four camera television shows and absolutely loving it. It’s funny. It’s family entertainment,” the singer said.

She continued, “It’s great writing, great actors. Rex and I love to be on the show together for one thing. And then getting to work again with [co-star [ MelissaPeterman and then my showrunners KevinAbbott and our producers Mindy [Schultheis] and Michael [Hanel] — everybody on that whole team. They are family. And we treat them like family. And, everybody knows that when you walk on ‘Happy’s Place’ set, we’re going to have a good time and you’re going to be treated well.”