If you’ve ever met your heroes, you can probably relate to how Reba McEntire felt. During a roundtable discussion on The Voice, Reba shared her nerves about meeting her hero, Merle Haggard. The judges—Reba, Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé, and Gwen Stefani—gathered for a segment called “Behind the Mic,” giving fans a chance to get to know them better.
The conversation began with Michael Bublé’s excitement at meeting one of his own heroes, Snoop Dogg. The two shared a touching moment of mutual respect, appreciating each other’s work. When the topic shifted to Reba, they asked her if she had ever met a hero of hers and what the experience was like.
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Reba admitted that she used to avoid meeting her idols, saying, “I never wanted to meet my heroes because I didn’t want them to disappoint me.” The sentiment resonated with the other judges, who nodded in agreement. Reba then recounted a story about working with Merle Haggard, someone she had admired for years but was hesitant to approach. She explained that while performing shows with him, she didn’t want to meet him out of fear he might not live up to her expectations. However, when she finally did, Merle turned out to be a kind and gracious gentleman, much to her relief.
Merle Haggard clearly left a strong impression on Reba. After his passing in 2016, she shared with Entertainment Weekly that her first concert experience had been seeing Merle Haggard and the Strangers. Reflecting on her childhood, she talked about growing up singing his music with her siblings. “Pake sang Merle Haggard songs, I sang Loretta and Dolly songs, and Susie sang Anne Murray songs. Susie and I would sing harmony when Pake performed. We all looked up to Merle Haggard. It was one of the greatest moments of my life when I got to work with him on the road.”
Merle Haggard’s influence on Reba was profound, and she continues to honor his memory to this day. His legacy remains a cornerstone in her career and life.
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Check out Reba’s cover of Merle Haggard below!
Reba Remembers Hearing Herself on the Radio for the First Time
The judges also shared stories about the first time they heard their music on the radio. Snoop Dogg humorously recalled how shy he was during the filming of his first music video, admitting that he didn’t even look at the camera. The discussion then turned to Reba, who described the moment she heard her own song on the radio for the first time.
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She remembered the experience vividly, explaining, “We had an old, staticky radio, and if you touched it just right, the static would disappear. My song came on KVOO Radio out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I just slid down the wall, sat on the floor, and cried. I bawled like a baby.”
In the “Behind the Mic” segment, Reba went on to share more about her favorite singers and the incredible artists she’s had the privilege of working with over the years. Watch the full video below to hear more of her stories!
