This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the tragic plane crash that altered the course of Reba McEntire and her musical family’s lives forever.
On March 16, 1991, a sad accident claimed the lives of eight of the famous singer’s bandmates and crew members, all of whom were skilled musicians and dear friends.
McEntire took to social media to express her gratitude to the people who had left such an everlasting influence on the music business.
The tragic accident occurred when one of the plane’s wings hit a boulder atop Otay Mountain en route from San Diego to Indiana.
Reba was ill at the time, so she stayed in the hotel with her husband Narvel and stylist while the rest of the group went on an excursion.
Tour manager Jim Hammon and musicians Chris Austin, Joey Cigainero, and Terry Jackson perished, along with tour members Paula Kaye Evans and Terry Jackson.
“Their passion for music and their incredible stage presence continue to inspire us all,” McEntire said in a tribute video posted to Instagram. This presentation features a recording of the ensemble performing, serving as a moving tribute to their skill and unity.
Reba brings up the band in discussion at least once a year, keeping their legacy alive.
She discussed the incident and its immediate aftermath in a 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
She recalled the unsettling moment, saying, “When we received the notification, Narvel went to meet our pilot, who revealed the devastating news.
In the late hours of the night, Narvel returned to our hotel room and delivered the heart-wrenching message: one of the planes had crashed.
I asked, ‘Are they okay?’ To which he replied, ‘I don’t think so.’ I pressed further, ‘But you’re not sure?’ And he softly said, ‘I don’t think so.’”
As we celebrate the lives of these extraordinary people, may we never forget the indelible mark they left on Reba McEntire’s career and the history of music.