Honoring the Lives of Reba McEntire’s Band Members Who Have Died
Despite her prominence in the music business, country music great Reba McEntire has a firsthand grasp of the scope and depth of human suffering.
The year 1991 was a pivotal time in history because it was the year Reba faced an unthinkable tragedy that would forever change the trajectory of her life.
Her trusted tour manager and seven of her band mates lost their life in a catastrophic aircraft accident during one of her thrilling performances.
They were all snatched from this life far too soon.
On March 16, 1991, after a remarkable performance at a prestigious event in San Diego, country music icon Reba McEntire and her band were returning to their hotel when a tragic incident happened.
Plans were in place for the band members to depart from Brown Field Municipal Airport and travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they would perform later.
However, things took a sudden turn, and Reba, her manager Narvel Blackstock (who was also her then-husband), and stylist Sandi Spika had to spend the night in San Diego. The first jet carrying the band and tour manager took off in the meantime.
Without any issues, the second jet was able to take off and reach its destination without any mishap.
All occupants of the first plane, which was only ten miles east of the airport, perished in a catastrophic collision with a boulder on the edge of Otay Mountain.
Later, in a poignant interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2012, Reba showed extraordinary fortitude in discussing what had happened that evening.
It was Narvel who went back to the hotel room late at night, maybe two or three in the morning, where Reba was waiting anxiously for news. He brought the depressing news with him.
When Reba asked Narvel how their mutual friends were doing, she received a negative response, which crushed her dreams. A veil of doubt descended on the two of them as he replied with a somber “I don’t think so.”
Their curiosity took hold of them, and Reba confessed—her voice brimming with genuine emotion—that “Narvel moved from one room to another, clutching a phone, desperately searching for answers.”
She admitted, “Even after 20 years, the sadness never truly goes away.” “But I could see myself in that situation.”Narvel was in terrible discomfort and wandering aimlessly.
During a time of tragic loss, Reba McEntire found comfort in the unwavering support of her close friends, particularly Vince Gill and Dolly Parton.
Following the horrific incident, these generous people offered their bands the chance to complete the tour. Reba politely rejected their attempts to be helpful in spite of this.
Rather, she embarked on a personal journey of self-healing and put her entire being into her follow-up album, “For My Broken Heart.”
The album was meant to be a touching memorial to her unwavering love for her teammates and a tribute to their memory, as well as an emotional tribute to the ones she had lost.
“For My Broken Heart” has sold an incredible four million copies and debuted at the top of the highly sought-after Billboard Top Country Albums chart. It is amazing that the song has reached the pinnacle of popularity.
Every year on the melancholy anniversary of the incident that resulted in their deaths, Reba McEntire pays respect to the persons she has lost.
Through the use of social media, she promises that their memory will endure and touch the hearts of her many followers.
In 2014, she shared a poignant memory on Instagram to commemorate the accident’s first anniversary.
In 2016, Reba made a poignant journey to San Diego to commemorate the somber 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
She wanted to pay her respects in San Diego because it was a city that was very special to her.
She graciously shared this historic journey on a number of social media platforms, providing her devoted fans with a window into her continuous healing journey.
Reba wrote a heartfelt personal message, reflecting on the passing of the 25-year anniversary of the airline disaster.
“Today is the 25th anniversary of the fatal airplane crash,” she revealed. When I returned to San Diego in November, I took a helicopter to the scene of the horrific tragedy.
I started crying because I had such a strong feeling that those who have passed away know how much we miss them. My sincere condolences and best wishes are extended to all the friends and family affected by this horrific incident.
