Reba McEntire deeply appreciates the magnitude of loss and the depths of suffering. 1991 marked a turning point in history because it was the year the superstar of country music experienced an unfathomable tragedy. Tragically, an aircraft disaster during one of her performances claimed the lives of her trusted tour manager and seven beloved band members.

The heartbreaking tragedy happened on March 16, 1991, following a spellbinding performance by Reba McEntire and her band at a prestigious event in San Diego.

For their next concert, arrangements were made for the band members to take a flight from Brown Field Municipal Airport to Fort Wayne, Indiana.

As luck would have it, Reba, her then-husband and manager Narvel Blackstock, and her stylist Sandi Spika were left in San Diego for the night when the band and tour manager boarded the first plane.

Reba revealed their eagerness to learn all the specifics of the tragedy that had befallen their loved ones and captivated them. Her voice trembling with genuine emotion, she said, “Narvel traversed from one room to another, clutching a phone, desperately seeking answers.” “It’s been 20 years, but the sorrow never really goes away”, she apologized. “However, I can picture that situation. Narvel was pacing endlessly while engulfed in agony.

Reba McEntire took comfort in her close friends’ unflinching support during this intense sadness, including Vince Gill and Dolly Parton. In the wake of the tragedy, these kind hearts offered their bands the chance to finish the tour. Reba politely declined their kind offers, though.

Instead, she started a personal recovery journey and put all her heart and soul into her subsequent album, “For My Broken Heart.” The record was a heartfelt remembrance of the bandmates she had lost, displaying her unwavering love and paying tribute to their memory.

Interestingly, “For My Broken Heart” reached the heights of success, debuting at No. 1 on the prestigious Billboard Top Country Albums chart and selling an astounding four million copies.

Reba McEntire faithfully remembers those who died on the sad anniversary of the tragic incident every year. She uses social media to make sure their memory lives on. She created a touching memorial for her hordes of followers on Instagram in 2014 to commemorate the crash’s anniversary.