Dolly cut Reba's Opry debut

Reba McEntire made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Sept. 17, 1977, when she was 22 years old and still an aspiring country star.

Key points Dolly cut Reba's Opry debut
  1. Reba McEntire made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Sept. 17, 1977, when she was 22 years old and still an aspiring country star.
  2. A backstage guard initially refused to admit her because her name was not on his list, so she called her booking agent from a pay phone to fix it in time to perform.
  3. She was slated to sing two songs, including a Patsy Cline cover, but the second was cut short by a surprise unannounced appearance from Dolly Parton.
  4. McEntire became an Opry member in 1986 during a TV special marking the Opry's 60th anniversary and still performs there when her schedule permits.
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Taste of Country

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Branquinho's life after the arena

Five-time world champion steer wrestler Luke Branquinho has built a second career in Western sports media after his rodeo days, hosting The Luke Branquinho Show and contributing to Cowboy Channel broadcasts.

Key points Branquinho's life after the arena
  1. Five-time world champion steer wrestler Luke Branquinho has built a second career in Western sports media after his rodeo days, hosting The Luke Branquinho Show and contributing to Cowboy Channel broadcasts.
  2. He credits a 2004 U.S. Army-sponsored PRCA media training program with preparing him for the camera, a skill that became a career as injuries limited his competing.
  3. This December he will balance a full NFR broadcasting schedule in Las Vegas with a personal milestone: his son Cade qualified for the Junior NFR in steer wrestling.
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Cowboy Lifestyle Network

cowboylifestylenetwork.com

Duck Hodges' Ella Langley requests

Devlin “Duck” Hodges, the former NFL quarterback married to Lainey Wilson, said on the Game Runs Deep podcast that his friends keep asking him to set them up with country star Ella Langley.

All In Barrel Race returns

The ALL IN Barrel Race returns to The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas during National Finals Rodeo week, with competition windows December 3–5 and December 10–13, 2026.

Country stars share a lake

Country singers Dustin Lynch, Gary Allan and Tucker Wetmore live on the same lake outside Nashville.

Ride to Hondo's final stop

The Ride to Hondo tour makes its final stop at Foley Ranch in Phoenix on Friday, November 6, from 7 PM to 11 PM, with live music from the Josh Roy Band, dancing, and a last chance to enter the Ride to Hondo giveaway.

Country singers join Hunger Games

The soundtrack for the new Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, arrives Nov. 13, a week before the film hits theaters on Nov. 20.

Queen Creek Xtreme Bulls returns

Queen Creek Xtreme Bulls returns to Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek, Arizona, on November 27–28, 2026, for two nights of bull riding over Thanksgiving weekend.

Nelly to play PBR championship

PBR announced that hip-hop artist Nelly will perform live on Friday, November 6, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, immediately after Day 1 of the 2026 PBR Teams Championship.

Riley Green goes acoustic

Riley Green has released acoustic performance videos of songs from his new album That's Just Me, which came out a couple weeks ago.

Teodoro is PBR top rookie

Jean Carlos Teodoro of the Texas Rattlers was named the 2026 PBR Teams Rookie of the Year, edging fellow Brazilian Winy dos Santos of the Oklahoma Wildcatters in a race that came down to the final weekend of the regular season in Kansas City.

NFR fans get Vegas shows

Live Nation Las Vegas has booked a run of country stars and comedians at venues across the city to welcome 2026 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo fans.

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