Reba McEntire is helping veterans heal, one song at a time.
The country legend, 71, recently stopped by the Nashville VA Medical Center to surprise patients with a special visit, as coordinated by the nonprofit Musicians on Call.
McEntire was joined by Terri Clark, and the two performed songs and made room visits together, even bringing with them a special Grand Ole Opry mic.
“Having the opportunity to visit the VA Hospital here in Nashville, room to room, with Terri Clark and Musicians On Call was an emotional moment for me,” McEntire said in a statement. “Music is so healing and getting to witness that firsthand was a gift to me.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(943x258:945x260):format(webp)/reba-mcentire-01-051926-f1d409da48fe4b27ae9829665dcf4a09.jpg)
Reba McEntire and Terri Clark with a patient.
Dusty Barker for Musicians On Call
Musicians on Call is a nonprofit that delivers live and recorded music to patients’ bedsides in healthcare facilities.
“It’s great doing it by myself, but to see people’s faces when they see Reba walking through the door, all of them,” she said. “It’s just been unbelievable.”
The “Fancy” singer said it was “impossible” to choose her favorite moment of the day, but she really enjoyed thanking the veterans “for all their service and the things they did for us.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2):format(webp)/reba-mcentire-02-051926-938453bdefbb46feaa9d85a93c066b30.jpg)
In the video, one patient wipes away tears after McEntire’s visit.
“It was like a miracle,” he said. “And I told Reba that she was my favorite female singer, and she is.”
For patients not in Nashville, McEntire and Clark participated in a virtual program that extended their musical reach to patients nationwide at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn., Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Phoenix and TriStar Centennial Children’s Hospital in Nashville.
“Walking around the hospital with Reba McEntire was like walking around with… well, there really just isn’t anything to compare it to,” Musicians on Call COO Katy Epley said in a statement. “Everything about Reba exudes warmth and joy, and there was a comfort about her presence in those hospital rooms. We are immensely grateful to Reba for taking the time to visit the VA Hospital and sing for the Veterans. Together with Terri Clark, they brought so much harmony and healing that day.”
McEntire will be the guest of honor at the MOC Music Heals Live! Celebration in Nashville on Wednesday, May 20, and is set to receive the Music Heals Golden Ukulele.
The star-studded event will also include performances from Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, and appearances by Martina McBride, Charles Esten and more.
You can see the video HERE
