REBA INDUCTED INTO THE PRESTIGIOUS COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME

Organization’s Most Important Annual Ceremony Pays Tributes to Superstar

Honored By Dolly Parton With Special Performances From Garth Brooks, Kelly Clarkson,
Vince Gill, Martina McBride & Trisha Yearwood

Reba and Dolly Parton

(Photo Credit: Donn Jones, Courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame)

Nashville, Tennessee (May 24, 2011) – Last night, in the company of family and industry friends, Reba fulfilled a childhood dream – induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. During the private Medallion Ceremony fellow legendary artists honored her, along with Bobby Braddock and Jean Shepard. Dolly Parton inducted Reba into "Modern Era Artist" category for her contributions to the genre while Bill Anderson acknowledged Braddock and George Jones recognized Shepard.

The Country Music Hall of Fame’s most important annual event included musical salutes to the inductees. Paying tribute to Reba, Garth Brooks performed “Whoever’s In New England” and Vince Gill sang “Somebody Should Leave” while the powerhouse pairing of Kelly Clarkson and Martina McBride knocked out “Does He Love You” and Trisha Yearwood and Reba’s sister, Susie, took the stage for “How Blue.”

“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame has been a lifelong dream. I am thrilled with this honor,” said Reba.

Later this week Reba will have the opportunity to turn the spotlight. She and Blake Shelton will co-host the “Tornado Relief Concert” in Durant, OK to raise support for their hometown friends who were devastated by recent tornadoes. After the initial May 26 date sold out in less than two hours, they announced a second, set for May 25. Tickets for the second show are one sale now and may be purchased by phone at 1-800-585-3737 or online at choctawcasinos.com.

ABOUT REBA: One of the most successful female recording artists in history with an unprecedented run of sales successes, Reba has sold over 56 million albums worldwide, extending her lead as the female artist with the most RIAA sales certifications in Country Music history. Her previous 13 studio albums have all achieved Gold or Platinum-plus status. The superstar recently earned her 64^th Top 10 with, “Turn On The Radio,” and her 35^th #1 with the lead single from her new album, ALL THE WOMEN I AM. Reba’s reign of #1 hits spans four decades, distinguishing her as the biggest female hit-maker in Country music history, as recognized by Billboard, Country Aircheck and Mediabase. She has won 15 American Music Awards; 12 Academy of Country Music Awards; 9 People’s Choice Awards; 6 Country Music Association Awards, 2 GRAMMY Awards and is a 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. Reba recently surpassed the one million-fan mark on Facebook, propelling her into an elite group of only 10 Country artists to achieve the popularity milestone. Also an acclaimed film, TV and Broadway actress, Reba signed with The Valory Music Co. in November 2008. The move reunited the multimedia entertainer with industry leader Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, which includes Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville.  

ABOUT COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM: Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The Foundation also operates CMF Records, the Museum's Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, Historic RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print. More information, as well as biographical profiles and photos of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum members, is available at countrymusichalloffame.com.