Country music icon Reba McEntire delivered a moving speech at the 2024 Western Heritage Awards in Oklahoma City.
Adding to her ever-growing resume of awards and recognitions, Reba McEntire received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Western Heritage Awards. During the awards ceremony at the National Cowboy Museum, McEntire delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech — showing her gratitude not only for the award, but for the Western way of life.
“This award means a lot to me, but it’s not for me, because this isn’t about me,” McEntire said. “It’s about friends… by the grace of God we get to live in this beautiful country and get to gather here today and talk about the Lord, the cowboy way of life.”
And that’s exactly what McEntire spoke of during her five minutes on stage. Discover our takeaways from the moving speech and award presentation below.
She spoke from her heart.
McEntire spoke without any notes or cue cards. She mentioned, “Rex [Linn] has been on to me since about two weeks ago to write something up, and I said ‘I want it to come from my heart.’ Because this is such a special room, a special place for the McEntire family, to so many of my friends.”
She appreciates her Western roots.
Throughout her career, McEntire has graced some of the largest stages, awards shows, and events in the entertainment industry. But she hasn’t let all the fame and glamour get to her head — she still has the same values and work ethic that she developed as a child growing up on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma.
“That's what this cowboy way of life, cowgirl way of life, the Western way of life is all about. Pulling for your neighbor, reaching out and helping them stand back up when they get knocked down. That's the romantic part about it," McEntire said.
Cowboy poet Red Steagall has been influential in McEntire’s career.
Mike Ingram, Gary Kinslow, and Red Steagall presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to the honoree. During the presentation, Steagall detailed his relationship with McEntire.
“Fifty years ago this year, she would sing the national anthem at the National Rodeo Finals right here in Oklahoma City. I was so impressed with her performance, that I invited her to Nashville to record some demos,” Steagall said. “Within a few months, she had her first record deal, launching her musical career.”
Humility is second nature to the country icon.
From the moment she stepped on stage, McEntire displayed genuine humility. The musician’s demeanor made you feel like you were chatting with her over a glass of iced tea — not watching her speak to hundreds of people behind a podium.
Before acknowledging her award, McEntire made small talk with the three presenters and her boyfriend Rex, thanking them for their friendship and loyalty. She then addressed Miss Rodeo Oklahoma standing on the side of the stage. She said, “Way to go. You look beautiful, too.”
Toward the end of her speech, McEntire elaborated on a question she received over the weekend about her goals. Her initial answer was that she didn’t have any goals left — that she was happy, in love, and getting to do what she loved to do. But the more she thought about it, she did have one more goal: “I want to be the cowboys in those movies that stood up for the underdog. I want to continue that in my life. That’s what I want to be, is an encourager,” McEntire said.
Watch the full speech.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
