It was June of 1987. I was attending my very first Fan Fair.
One of the events that I really wanted to go that year to was an autograph
signing on Music Valley Drive – out by Opryland. (Yeah, I know. I’m dating
myself. For what it’s worth, I also have fond memories of Harvey’s. Sears on
Lafayette, and The Hungry Fisherman. So, there!)
Meeting the fans that day was the three-time reigning CMA
Female Vocalist of the Year, Reba McEntire. I had been a fan of her music for a
few years, and wanted to meet all the stars I could. This was Fan Fair, after
all! The singer was signing at her brand new restaurant, and though it was
miles away from the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, where the 23,000 people
flocked to spend forty-six seconds talking to their favorites (not a put down,
as I was on of them!), my father – bless his heart – made the trip – just like
he did an additional 833 times to WSM Radio down the road to pick up prizes I
won from the station.
Anyway, McEntire was a hot commodity, so the line moved fast.
I didn’t really get to say much to her – not that I could have anyways. But,
needless to say, I was smitten from that point on. To put this in perspective,
this was before her hair, the red dress, and massive record sales. Her ‘do was
short, Gold Records were about the top of the mountain in the business, and her
buckles were huge. She wasn’t the glamorous artist that we all know here to be
– yet. I think in the months to come after that, I used my allowance to buy
every cassette (Yes, I’m old!) I could find of hers. That was a trend that
continued to this day.
The first new album that she released after our “meeting” was
that fall, The Last One To Know.
Though her music – particularly since signing with MCA in 1984 – was very
strength laden, this one was a little more personal. As you know, she was going
through her well=publicized divorce from her first husband. Songs like the
title cut and “I’ve Still Got The Love We Made” bristled with heartbreak. To
me, the latter still ranks as one of her best performances, along with the
anguished jealousy she expressed in “The Girl Who Has Everything.” And performances
such as “Just Across The Rio Grande” and “The Stairs” are just as timely with
their stream of social consciousness as they were in 1987, sadly.
But, there some lighter moments on The Last One To Know. “I Don’t Want To Be Alone,” “Someone Else,”
and “Love Will Find Its’ Way To You” all were hopeful songs about how romance
might be just around the corner – if only you believe. Well, I was thirteen
then….and now I’m forty-one. I’m a little more jaded in the romance department,
but still that hopefulness exists. I listen to those songs now, and still think
of that mysterious blonde (or maybe that’s just a decoy. She could be a
brunette, after all!) that might be out there. It’s amazing the memories that
music brings out.
And, for what it’s worth, I did get a chance to have more
than forty-six seconds with Reba McEntire. I’ve been privileged to interview
her on three different occasions, and the crush still exists. I mean, come on,
it’s Reba McEntire, for crying out loud!
Join me on the November 4 edition of “Crazy Chucky’s Country
Classic Corner” as we shine the spotlight on The Last One To Know, one of McEntire’s all-time best……The show
airs at 1pm, and is brought to you by Tennessee Properties. Join us!
