Reba McEntire Pays Tribute To Band Members Killed In Plane Crash 34 Years Ago
Reba McEntire honors her band members who died in 1991 (Reba McEntire / Facebook)
Members Of Reba McEntire’s Band Tragically Killed In 1991 Plane Crash
Reba McEntire experienced an unthinkable tragedy when eight members of her band lost their lives in a plane crash on March 16, 1991.
The group had just wrapped up an event in Southern California to promote Reba’s album Rumor Has It. As their twin-engine Hawker Siddeley jet departed San Diego, the wing clipped an outcropping of rock on the side of Otay Mountain, causing it to crash into the terrain and explode on impact.
Reba reportedly stayed behind by the recommendation of her then-husband Narvel Blackstock, who encouraged her to rest as she was recovering from bronchitis. She had planned to meet her band in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the following day. Narvel would later have the grueling task of calling the family members of the deceased to tell them the news.
Fiddler Chris Austin, band leader Kirk Cappello, keyboardist Joey Cigainero, backup singer Paula Kaye Evans, bassist Terry Jackson, drummer Anthony Saputo, guitarist Michael Thomas, tour manager Jim Hammon, and the two pilots operating the plane were all lost in the crash.
Days after the incident, Reba told People Magazine:
“By far this is my darkest hour, the most awful thing that ever happened in my life. When you have eight people that you absolutely love and their lives are just wiped out â it’s devastating.”
Newspaper article from 1991 following the plane crash that claimed the lives of Reba McEntire’s bandmates (via newspapers.com)
Reba Pays Tribute To Her Late Band Members
Not a year goes by when the “Fancy” singer does not honor the memory of her friends and bandmates. Six months after the tragedy, she released an album titled For My Broken Heart, dedicated to her lost comrades. The album was one of the most successful of her career – selling four million copies.
Album cover for “For My Broken Heart” by Reba McEntire (via Discogs)
In 2015, Reba visited the site of the crash and reflected:
“I feel in my heart that they know we still miss them so much. My love and prayers to all the families and friends.”
This year, on the 34th anniversary of the crash, she shared a simple and heartfelt message on her social media pages. It read:
“Always in our minds, thoughts, and prayers no matter how many years have passed. Love and miss you all.”
News
Reba McEntire’s Ex-Husband Narvel Blackstock Ties the Knot Again – But It’s Who He Married That Left Fans Absolutely Speechless!
Reba McEntire’s Ex-Husband, Narvel Blackstock, Marries Laura Stroud Mark Von Holden/Variety via Getty Images Narvel Blackstock, Reba McEntire’s former…
From Country Queen to Screen Legend: 10 of Reba McEntire’s Most Unforgettable Movie and TV Roles – Including a Few You Totally Forgot About (or Never Knew Existed!) 
10 Of Reba McEntire’s Unforgettable Roles In Movies & TV Shows Reba McEntire Has Acted In Many Movies & TV…
Dolly Parton’s Hotel Isn’t Just Another Nashville Venue – It’s a Bachelorette Wonderland with a Glamorous Secret!
Dolly Parton’s much‑anticipated Songteller Hotel isn’t just another addition to Nashville’s skyline—it’s poised to become the ultimate bachelorette playground. Slated…
The Heartfelt Hymn Dolly Parton Has Chosen for Her Final Farewell Will Deeply Move You
“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.” Introduction When we think of Dolly…
At 79, Dolly Parton FINALLY reveals the scary, fragile moments of the pain she went through…
Dolly Parton – Lord Hold My Hand About The Song A Prayer in Song: Dolly Parton’s “Lord Hold My Hand” In every stage of her legendary career, Dolly Parton has never been afraid to show the world her heart—especially when it comes to matters of faith, grace, and personal strength. Her song “Lord Hold My Hand”, featured on the 2022 album Run, Rose, Run, is a stirring example of that open-hearted honesty. It’s not just a song—it’s a prayer set to music, a gentle plea for guidance in life’s darkest and most uncertain hours. For listeners who seek comfort, especially those who have weathered many of life’s storms, this track offers a quiet anchor in sound and spirit. Musically, “Lord Hold My Hand” leans into a simple, roots-based arrangement that lets Dolly’s voice take center stage. Acoustic guitars, soft harmonies, and a light gospel undercurrent frame the lyrics without distraction. The production is humble and reverent, echoing the tone of a country church service or a solitary walk in the hills at sunrise. There’s no need for dramatic crescendos—the power of the song lies in its sincerity. Lyrically, it’s a deeply personal invocation. “Lord, hold my hand, I need you again / Take me and guide me through sorrow and sin.” With these lines, Dolly offers vulnerability without fear, expressing what so many feel but struggle to say: that even the strongest hearts sometimes tremble, and even the most faithful souls need reassurance. Her voice carries that emotional honesty with grace—never showy, never forced, just pure, heartfelt dependence on something greater than herself. This isn’t new territory for Dolly. Her music has long drawn from her East Tennessee roots, where gospel hymns, family prayers, and personal faith were woven into daily life. But in “Lord Hold My Hand,” that spiritual foundation is more intimate than ceremonial. It feels like a one-on-one conversation with God, born not of dogma, but of deep personal experience. For longtime fans, especially those in later life who have walked through sorrow, illness, and loss, this song resonates on a profound level. It is not about religion—it is about relationship, about the unspoken hope that, in the loneliest moments, we are never truly alone. It’s a reminder that faith doesn’t always shout—it often whispers in the quiet corners of our lives….
At age 79, Dolly Parton FINALLY talks about the life of a woman named Jolene…
Dolly Parton – Jolene About The Song Timeless Plea, Timeless Power: Dolly Parton – “Jolene” Few songs in country music—or any genre—have left as enduring a mark as “Jolene” by Dolly Parton. Released in 1973, this haunting ballad of vulnerability and quiet desperation has become one of the most iconic tracks in American music history. With its unforgettable melody, sparse instrumentation, and emotionally charged lyrics, “Jolene” remains as powerful today as it was over fifty years ago—a testament to Dolly’s songwriting brilliance and raw emotional honesty. The song opens with a tension that never releases. A simple, hypnotic guitar riff sets the stage for Dolly’s voice—clear, pleading, and filled with restrained urgency. She addresses Jolene, a woman of striking beauty, begging her not to steal the man she loves. But this isn’t a song about confrontation; it’s about fear. “Your beauty is beyond compare / With flaming locks of auburn hair,” Dolly sings, admitting her rival’s power while revealing her own deep insecurity. What makes “Jolene” so unique is its emotional complexity. Rather than vilifying the other woman, Dolly’s narrator speaks with a heartbreaking sense of admiration and helplessness. The song doesn’t dwell in anger—it lives in the quiet space between pride and panic, between knowing love can’t be forced and hoping it won’t be taken. It’s that vulnerability, that human ache, that has allowed listeners of every generation to connect with the song so deeply. Musically, “Jolene” is deceptively simple. The arrangement is lean—acoustic guitar, light percussion, and Dolly’s voice front and center. But within that minimalism lies its brilliance. The looping guitar line mirrors the obsessive thoughts of someone spiraling through doubt, while the melody’s rising and falling phrasing captures the emotional waves of pleading and fear. Beyond its initial chart success—it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and has been covered by countless artists around the world—“Jolene” helped define Dolly Parton not just as a singer, but as a masterful storyteller. It showcased her gift for giving voice to complex emotions with clarity and grace, and it cemented her place in the canon of great American songwriters. Over the decades,…
End of content
No more pages to load
