This Friday, Reba McEntire will deliver her new studio album, Stronger Than the Truth, which she describes as “stone cold country” and the most country album she has ever recorded. When thinking about the type of songs she wanted to record, Reba says, “Well, I was hoping that if country music wasn’t planning on [heading] back to more traditional country, maybe this might give it a little nudge. Because I definitely sure would like to have the old traditional country music back, but with a new flavor that the younger generation of country music artists can put to it … add their touch.”
The most important thing to Reba when choosing songs for Stronger Than the Truth, was that they be authentic and from the heart. Beyond that, she says, “I went to look for songs that you can dance to, that are reminiscent of the songs that (my siblings) Pake and Suzy and I did when we were the Singin’ McEntires. Cause that’s where we played all the time, was rodeo dances, dance halls and you had to have a song that people could dance to, and that’s what’s on this album… So, to have dance songs, great hit your heart type songs, that’s just the kind of album I wanted to do.”
Reba just released “Freedom” as the first single off the album, which she sang on stage this past Friday night in Nashville, when she surprised Kelly Clarkson’s sold out crowd by joining her on stage at the Bridgestone Arena.
Look for Reba to host and perform on the 54th Annual ACM Awards, this Sunday night on CBS. This will be her 16th time hosting the show.
Reba McEntire – goals for album :45
“My goal for this album was to record a stone cold country album. It is the most country album I have ever recorded. It reminds me of My Kind of Country album, because I’d gone to Jimmy Bowen and I said, ‘I want to record MY kind of country,’ And he said, ‘Well what’s that?’ I said, ‘The songs I grew up with, like Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Mel Tillis.’ He said, ‘Well go find the songs yourself,’ and that’s what I did with this album. I went to look for songs that you can dance to, that are reminiscent of the songs that Pake and Suzy and I did when we were the Singin’ McEntires. Cause that’s where we played all the time, was rodeo dances, dance halls and you had to have a song that people could dance to, and that’s what’s on this album.”
Reba McEntire – back to traditional country :21
“Well, I was hoping that if country music wasn’t planning on headed back to more traditional country, maybe this might give it a little nudge. Because I definitely sure would like to have the old traditional country music back, but with a new flavor that the younger generation of country music artists can put to it … add their touch.”
Reba Mcentire – why this kind of album now :28
“I love this kind of music. I miss it, and I’ve always wanted to sing Western Swing. Red Stegall is one of my nearest and dearest friends and I love his music. I love to dance to that kind of music. I did ‘Invitation to the Blues” on my very first album. Don’t have very many of those kind of songs. So, to have dance songs, great hit your heart type songs, that’s just the kind of album I wanted to do. And I’m so grateful the record label said, ‘You bet, go for it.’”