Trisha Yearwood and Reba McEntire Team Up to Launch Opry 100 Celebration

Reba McEntire took center stage at the Opry 100 celebration on Wednesday night, paying tribute to two of country music’s most legendary women: Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn. Known for her own iconic career, Reba’s heartfelt performance highlighted the powerful influence these women had on shaping the genre.

During the special event, Reba performed a moving medley of Patsy and Loretta’s most beloved hits, a fitting tribute considering how both of these trailblazing women impacted her career. Reba has frequently spoken about the inspiration she drew from Cline and Lynn, and this tribute was a perfect way to honor their enduring legacy.

In 1979, Reba recorded Patsy Cline’s classic “Sweet Dreams,” which became her first Top 20 hit. It quickly became a staple of her live shows, often closing out her concerts with a poignant a cappella rendition. However, after a tragic plane crash in 1991 claimed the lives of seven members of her band, her manager, and others, Reba retired the song from her setlist. It was the last song she and her band performed together.

It wasn’t until 2020 that Reba sang “Sweet Dreams” live again, when the Country Music Hall of Fame requested it for their Hall of Fame’s Big Night (at the Museum) fundraising event. While Reba never had the chance to personally know Patsy Cline, there’s no doubt that Cline’s influence on Reba’s music and career was profound, as was the legacy of Loretta Lynn.

When Loretta Lynn passed away in 2022 at the age of 90, Reba shared a touching tribute to the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on social media. Comparing Loretta to her own mother, Reba described both as “strong,” fiercely loving, and deeply loyal.

Reba wrote: “Now they’re both in Heaven getting to visit and talk about how they were raised, how different country music is now from what it was when they were young. I always did and I always will love Loretta. She was always so nice to me. I sure appreciate her paving the rough and rocky road for all us girl singers.”

The bond between Reba McEntire and Loretta Lynn was evident when the two shared a sweet backstage moment together in 2019, a moment Reba has cherished as she continues to honor the legacy of these two country music legends.

Through her tribute at the Opry 100 celebration, Reba reminded us all of the lasting impact Patsy and Loretta have had on country music, and how their paths continue to inspire the next generation of artists.