CMHoF Details ‘Reba: All The Women I Am’ Exhibit and Programs

“It’s impossible to overstate Reba’s impact on country music,” said Country Music Hall of Fame’s Museum Director Kyle Young, announcing the Aug. 9 opening of Reba McEntire’s 10-month biographical exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Opening weekend of Reba: All The Women I Am includes a host of promotional events, including the 2011 Country Music Hall of Famer participating in a special interview on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 2:30 p.m. in the Hall’s Ford Theatre, sharing life and career highlights. Free with museum admission or membership, McEntire’s interview requires a program pass due to limited seating. The interview will also be streamed live here.

Additionally, the weekend includes a Reba-themed Songwriter Session on Saturday (Aug. 10) at 11:30 a.m. with Liz Hengber (“For My Broken Heart,” “It’s  Your Call,” “And Still” and “Forever Love”) and Will Robinson (“I Know How He Feels” and “Somebody’s Chelsea,” written with Hengber and McEntire), as well as a Sunday (Aug. 10) GAC Backstory: Reba McEntire (2011) film screening at 2:00 p.m.

The exhibit itself, accompanied by a 104-page book published by the museum’s Country Music Foundation Press and available at Museum retail locations, will center around more than two dozen costumes, including many never exhibited garments such as her first official stage costume (a silky blue blouse with coordinating vest). Numerous Sandi Spika designs are featured including “The red dress” (worn during the 1993 CMA Awards); Reba’s “favorite” two-piece, teal silk shantung gown featuring a long train and beaded, sequined bodice; alongside a suede fringed jacket and chaps, corset, hat and boots from the Broadway production Annie Get Your Gun; and costumes from films including The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw, North and Is There Life Out There?

Reba: All The Women I Am also employs vintage photographs, career-spanning audio and video and personal possessions including a handbill from Kiowa Elementary School’s 1965 Christmas program where a 5th grade McEntire sang “Blue Christmas,” a sophomore report card from Kiowa High School, and a Reba Barbie, a lunch box and a bag of Fritos featuring the superstar’s likeness.

“Reba is the most successful female country performer of her generation, and a major influence on many of the female recording artists who have followed her,” continued Young. “Her achievements and accolades are almost too numerous to mention. Her contributions go well beyond recording. She heightened production values for country concerts. Through her work on Broadway, in film, and as the star of two television comedies, Reba has helped to heighten and expand the profile of country music, lifting all boats in her magnificent wake.”

Reba: All the Women I Am, will run through June 8, 2014 in the museum’s East Gallery in association with an ongoing series of event programs.