Country music legend Reba McEntire faced a profound loss in 2020 when her mother, Jacqueline Smith, passed away at the age of 93 due to cancer. In a heartfelt interview with Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on “Today” on Tuesday, the 68-year-old icon revealed how she almost gave up singing after her mother’s death but ultimately rediscovered her passion for music.
McEntire shared her journey through grief, recounting a pivotal moment when she and her sister Susie were looking through old photos of their mother. She remembered saying, “I just don’t think I’m going to do this anymore.” Her sister’s response was a reassuring one: “Sing.” McEntire explained, “I always did it for Mama,” to which Susie replied, “Oh, you’ll get it back.” And she did.
Jacqueline Smith played a significant role in nurturing her children’s love for music, earning the McEntire siblings the nickname “the singing McEntires” during their junior high and high school years. Reba McEntire fondly recalled her mother’s encouragement, stating, “She was really encouraging for all of us kids, whatever we wanted to do.” Jacqueline taught her children harmony and offered her opinions even while busy in the kitchen. McEntire humorously described how her mother would assess their singing while frying potatoes with a spatula, giving her verdict and then returning to her cooking.
Reba McEntire’s latest song, “Seven Minutes in Heaven,” from her newly released album “Not That Fancy,” which serves as a companion to her book of the same name, pays tribute to her late mother. Written by Olivia Rudeen and Matt Wynn, the poignant ballad features lyrics that reflect her emotions, “If I had seven minutes in heaven / I know just what I’d do… I wouldn’t spend all my seconds asking God questions / ‘Cause he knows I’d be back soon / If I had seven minutes in heaven / I’d spend them all with you.”
In addition to her heartfelt interview, McEntire took to the stage on “Today” to perform “Seven Minutes in Heaven,” offering an emotional and touching tribute to her beloved mother.