On This Day in 1986, Reba McEntire Released Her Landmark Album ‘Whoever’s in New England’

On This Day in 1986, Reba McEntire Released Her Landmark Album 'Whoever's in New England' - American Songwriter

On this day (February 10) in 1986, Reba McEntire released her tenth studio album Whoever’s in New England. It went on to become her first No. 1 album and her first Platinum album. It also produced a pair of chart-topping singles. More importantly, the album marked a major turning point in the Oklahoma native’s career.

Today, many genre fans know McEntire as a country music icon who dominated the charts and airwaves throughout the ‘90s. Her success in an era that was a high water mark for country music opened several doors for her and led to a pair of sitcoms, a stint as a coach on The Voice, and more. However, those who were around for the early days of her career know it didn’t happen overnight.

While it’s strange for some country fans to think of McEntire as an up-and-comer, that’s what she was for nearly a decade. Her first three albums didn’t make it to the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The next six failed to break into the top 10. Then, she released Whoever’s in New England which kicked off a string of hit albums that is still running.

Since the release of Whoever’s in New England, all of McEntire’s non-holiday studio albums have been top 10 hits. That’s a total of 22 consecutive hit albums, 11 of which went to No. 1. Not even icons like George Strait and Dolly Parton can boast a streak like that.

Reba McEntire Scores a Pair of Hits

Reba McEntire found it easier to land big hits on the country singles chart early in her career. She scored her first No. 1 single with “Can’t Even Get the Blues” from the album Unlimited in 1982. McEntire would notch three more chart-toppers before she released “Whoever’s in New England” as the lead single from the landmark album.

“Whoever’s in New England” went to No. 1 and brought McEntire a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. It was also the first single she promoted with a music video. She followed it with “Little Rock.” The second and final single from the album also topped the country chart.

Later that year, she became the CMA Entertainer of the Year and her career continues to soar.