Reba McEntire Shares How Dolly Parton Helped Her Heal After the 1991 Plane Crash

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton in Nashville in November 2019.
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Reba McEntire Reflects on 1991 Plane Crash Tragedy

Key Points:

• Reba McEntire discusses the plane crash that claimed the lives of eight band and crew members in March 1991.
• She highlights support from fellow artists Vince Gill and Dolly Parton during her recovery.
• McEntire described the difficulty in returning to the stage.

In a recent interview with Garden & Gun, Reba McEntire revisited the painful memories of a plane crash that resulted in the loss of eight members of her band and crew after a concert in San Diego in March 1991. McEntire, along with her stylist and her then-husband and manager, Narvel Blackstock, were scheduled to take a different flight the following day.

“It was really hard for me to get back onstage,” McEntire admitted. “But Vince Gill called and said, ‘Buddy, I’ll be there for you.’ Dolly Parton said, ‘Here, take my band.’”

McEntire expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support she received in the aftermath of the tragedy. “It was such a gift to see how many people stepped forward to help and reassure, because so many of us had hearts that were broken,” she remarked.

Reba McEntire in Frisco, Texas in May 2024.

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This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the tragic accident, prompting McEntire to honor the victims with an Instagram post in March 2024. Reflecting on the profound loss, she quoted her song "For My Broken Heart," stating, “I guess the world ain’t gonna stop… for my broken heart.”

In her post, McEntire paid tribute to the departed, naming Chris Austin, Kirk Cappello, Joey Cigainero, Paula Kaye Evans, Jim Hammon, Terry Jackson, Tony Saputo, and Michael Thomas. “33 years today since Heaven gained some great angels,” she wrote. “Rest in peace, my friends.”

In a 2022 interview, McEntire spoke openly about the impact of the crash, revealing, “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to continue. But it showed me how precious life is, and by the grace of God and my faith, I realized that they went on to a better place.” She added that while she has unresolved questions about the tragedy, she has never blamed God for their deaths.

Looking back, McEntire emphasized the importance of appreciating life’s moments. “You need to take it one day at a time and be very grateful for the things that you have,” she urged. “Tell folks in your life how much you love and appreciate them.”

Just eight months after the crash, McEntire released the album For My Broken Heart, dedicating it to the victims. This album became her best-selling project to date.