Reba McEntire recently shared a personal reason why she avoided meeting the late country legend Merle Haggard. Despite touring together in the early 80s, McEntire was hesitant to come face to face with her idol. She explained her reluctance in a clip from a “Behind the Mic” episode of The Voice on Instagram, where she confessed that she never wanted to meet her heroes because she feared they would disappoint her.
However, when McEntire eventually did meet Haggard, she found him to be the nicest and most cordial gentleman, putting her fears to rest. Reflecting on her interactions with other country legends like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, and Barbara Mandrell, McEntire shared that they were all as sweet as could be.
At just 26 years old, McEntire opened for Haggard at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth in August of 1981, marking a significant moment in her career. Following Haggard’s passing in 2016, McEntire spoke to Entertainment Weekly about their relationship, revealing that she eventually came to see him as family.
Recalling her first big concert, where she watched Haggard perform with the Strangers, McEntire expressed how much she and others looked up to him. Working with him on the road was a dream come true for her, and she even shared a childhood memory of singing “Okie from Muskogee” in a 4-H club contest.
McEntire’s admiration for Haggard was evident in her statement following his death, where she described him as a significant influence in her life. She remembered watching him win CMA awards for “Okie from Muskogee” and being inspired to rehearse her own acceptance speech that night. Haggard’s impact on her was profound, and she considered him to be a part of her extended family.
Overall, Reba McEntire’s initial hesitation to meet Merle Haggard highlights the complex emotions that can arise when meeting one’s idols. Despite her fears, the encounter turned out to be a positive and memorable experience, solidifying her admiration for the late country legend.