The three-team trade that sent Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks and Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces was the biggest trade of the WNBA offseason, and it promises to have reverberations for years to come.

We’re only two games into the 2025 regular season, but head coach Becky Hammon and the Aces could really take a hit without Plum, in particular.

Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum (10) during the third quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images. May 16, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; L

© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Plum was a key member of Las Vegas’s championship-winning teams in 2022 and 2023, and few players in The W have the kind of pluck and skill set she does. Over her first two games with the Sparks, Plum is averaging 27.5 points, 5.5 assists and 3.0 steals. Loyd, who is a six-time All-Star and no slouch herself, has averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds over her first two games in an Aces uniform.

On the May 21 episode of The Ringer’s WNBA Show, Seerat Sohi spoke to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou about the first few games of the season, and they touched on one of the primary ways Las Vegas might miss its erstwhile shooting guard, particularly after getting blown out in the season opener by the New York Liberty, 92-78.

“I’m still not sure they made the moves they needed to in the off-season to properly respond to the issues the Liberty have posed to them,” Philippou said, noting the Aces didn’t add enough size to compete with the likes of Rebecca Lobo and Jonquel Jones. “Jewell Loyd was uninvolved for large swaths of the game, so that was an issue.”

Kelsey Plum in her Sparks debut 🔥🪣

✨37 PTS
✨6 AST
✨5 STL pic.twitter.com/t63WZvGiFs

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 17, 2025

Sohi also noted that the Aces currently don’t have anyone who can shoot corner 3’s the same way Plum can. “That’s an aspect of the Aces offense that’s really vital to them,” Sohi said. “They took more corner 3’s than any team in The W last season.” Loyd has her strengths, to be sure, but she’s not the dime-dropper from the corners Plum is.

Again, it’s early. Both the Aces and Sparks are 1-1. But if the rest of the season plays out even remotely close to the way the first two games have, Hammon and company are going to wish they hadn’t sent Plum packing.

Tony Romo (Photo via CBS)
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is not the most popular guy on TV. That much was apparent while he was calling the Wild Card game between the Broncos and Bills for CBS on Sunday.

Romo, who has done very little to hide how much he admires Buffalo QB Josh Allen, had some praise for the MVP favorite while he was attempting to take his team to the Divisional Round.

Some fans felt like he was being overly gracious, while some simply couldn’t stand him talking in general.

“STFU AGAIN ROMO!!!!!!!!! I’M TIRED OF YOUR BILLS AND CHIEFS GLAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU’RE SICKENING ASF!!!!!!!!!!” an X user wrote.

“Can we start a petition to ban Romo from calling games,” another asked.

“Can Tony Romo get off his kneees for Josh Allen?” someone else chimed in.

“Tv muted when romo starts talking,” a fan claimed.

Tony Romo’s Partner Reached Impressive Milestone

While Romo was getting slammed, his broadcast colleague touched an impressive milestone.

Jim Nantz has been with CBS for over 40 years and reached his 500th game with the network calling Sunday’s fixture.

Nantz and Romo have been working together for seven of those 40 years.

VIDEO: A’ja Wilson Sends Social Media Into A Frenzy After Claiming She Would Beat Josh Hart In A 1v1

A’ja Wilson (Image Credit: @KnicksMuse/X)
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in women’s basketball. Her outstanding achievements and dominant performances on the court have boosted her confidence in her skills. However, this confidence has recently caused her some trouble, as NBA fans criticized her for a recent statement she made.

In a recent episode of the “Roommates” show, Wilson stunned both the NBA and WNBA by claiming that she could defeat New York Knicks star Josh Hart in a one-on-one matchup. Additionally, she predicted that the final score would be 11-8.

“Score would be 11-8, me. I’m not saying you gonna go scoreless, 8 to 11 is pretty solid. So, what do you think it’ll be, Josh?” Wilson said.

Although Josh and Wilson both had a good laugh during their conversation, Wilson’s comment stirred up the basketball community. “She’d lose 11-0 w him only playing w his offhand,” one fan said.

The Fever were beaten 91-90 on Tuesday, May 20.

 

The Indiana Fever‘s heartbreaking 91-90 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday night offered more than just a close contest, it exposed deeper concerns shared by head coach Stephanie White and her WNBA colleagues.

Despite a standout performance by Caitlin Clark, who tallied 27 points and 11 assists, the Fever fell short in a game marked by turnovers, lack of cohesion, and costly defensive lapses.

And in the aftermath, the 47-year-old didn’t just address her own team’s execution. She widened the scope of criticism, highlighting a troubling trend perceived to be affecting all 13 WNBA coaches this season.

“It’s tough, you know,” White told reporters. “It’s every coach’s frustration when you have to use challenges on out-of-bounds plays.

Game Recap: Dream vs. Fever (5/20/25)

“I mean, it is what it is. But for teams to win three challenges in the first half, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that either.”

Once again, the topic of WNBA referees and their standards is at the front of the discussion about women’s basketball, this time centered around their judgement when it comes to optical vision rather than their interpretation of the rules.

Fever’s growing pains exposed vs Dream

The game exposed clear weaknesses within the Fever lineup, despite Clark’s offensive production as she became the first player to produce more than five games of 25 points and 10 assists.

Indiana struggled to play as a cohesive unit and turnovers mounted, running up to 14 in total as the players struggled to connect with those around them, including Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.

Subsequently, Atlanta’s defense capitalized on these errors, using speed, physicality, and timely shooting to steal the win and Clark‘s coach didn’t shy away from pointing out the team’s lackluster start.

“It started with our energy and on the defensive end of the floor,” White told press. “We were flat to start.

“We dug ourselves a hole. We didn’t take care of the ball. We didn’t handle their physicality, I mean that’s going to be the M.O. against us all year long.”

With players such as DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, Natasha Howard, and Mitchell on the roster, the Fever are expected to handle tougher competition if they aim to win a first championship since 2012.

However, physical mismatches could become a persistent weakness opponents may exploit throughout the season and Atlanta’s Brionna Jones proved this point, finishing with 19 points and 13 rebounds.

But the season isn’t without promise. Bonner’s presence continues to add veteran leadership to the team. In the season opener against the Chicago Sky, she surpassed Tina Thompson to become the WNBA’s third all-time leading scorer with 7,489 points.

The moment came in the fourth quarter when she was fouled and made her free throw, cementing her place in league history.

Angel Reese with her mom (Photo Via Instagram/@angelreese5)
The buzz around Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese has never really died down since their headline-grabbing NCAA championship showdown in 2023. Now, with both stars squaring off again this Saturday in the WNBA when the Indiana Fever take on the Chicago Sky, the rivalry has found fresh fuel- this time from off the court.

The latest flare-up started with a post from Angel Reese’s mother, Angel Webb Reese, who stirred the pot on social media just days before tipoff. Clark’s fans were already amped after nearly 15,000 packed the stands for a recent Indiana Fever preseason game. But Reese’s mom wasn’t impressed, and she made that clear in a pointed message on X, formerly Twitter.

Fan Reactions Spark Heated Debate

Caitlin Clark (Photo By Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“Aww that certain fan base looking in the stands celebrating ‘attendance’ while others are looking up in the rafters celebrating championship banners,” Reese’s mom wrote. “We ain’t the same. Different year same haters. Have a great day.”

Aww that certain fan base looking in the stands celebrating “attendance” while others are looking up in the rafters celebrating championship banners. We ain’t the same. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Different year same haters 😂 Have a great day 😘

— AngelReese(TheMom) (@awebbreese) May 3, 2025

That post immediately set off a wave of heated responses. Fans didn’t hold back, calling out the tone and timing of the message.

 

“Mom is racist. No wonder her daughter acts the way she does,” one user replied.

Mom is racist. No wonder her daughter acts the way she does. https://t.co/2dcDKBKNVC

— Dom Compoz (@Dominic_Compoz) May 10, 2025

Another said, “Angel Reese mom sucks big time.”

Angel Reese mom sucks big time.

— Etude (@etudestake) May 10, 2025

A third fan wrote, “Someone needs to tell Angel Reese’s momma that we are not the same…”

Someone needs to tell Angel Reese’s momma that we are not the same…

— TheOrtiz (@SiouxBagger) May 17, 2025

Reese’s mother hasn’t responded to the criticism, and her original post has since limited replies. But the comment clearly struck a nerve, injecting extra emotion into an already hyped matchup.

While both Clark and Reese have spoken respectfully about each other in public, their on-court battles are anything but calm. Their competitive fire draws in viewers and sparks fierce debate, both online and in the stands. The two young stars are reshaping the energy around the WNBA, and Saturday’s game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse promises another intense chapter.

Love it or hate it, this rivalry is lighting up conversations and filling seats like never before. Whether the buzz fuels the players or weighs them down is still uncertain, but one thing’s undeniable: the basketball world won’t be able to look away.

Tony Romo (Photo via CBS)
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is not the most popular guy on TV. That much was apparent while he was calling the Wild Card game between the Broncos and Bills for CBS on Sunday.

Romo, who has done very little to hide how much he admires Buffalo QB Josh Allen, had some praise for the MVP favorite while he was attempting to take his team to the Divisional Round.

Some fans felt like he was being overly gracious, while some simply couldn’t stand him talking in general.

“STFU AGAIN ROMO!!!!!!!!! I’M TIRED OF YOUR BILLS AND CHIEFS GLAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU’RE SICKENING ASF!!!!!!!!!!” an X user wrote.

“Can we start a petition to ban Romo from calling games,” another asked.

“Can Tony Romo get off his kneees for Josh Allen?” someone else chimed in.

“Tv muted when romo starts talking,” a fan claimed.

Tony Romo’s Partner Reached Impressive Milestone

While Romo was getting slammed, his broadcast colleague touched an impressive milestone.

Jim Nantz has been with CBS for over 40 years and reached his 500th game with the network calling Sunday’s fixture.

Nantz and Romo have been working together for seven of those 40 years.

VIDEO: A’ja Wilson Sends Social Media Into A Frenzy After Claiming She Would Beat Josh Hart In A 1v1

A’ja Wilson (Image Credit: @KnicksMuse/X)
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in women’s basketball. Her outstanding achievements and dominant performances on the court have boosted her confidence in her skills. However, this confidence has recently caused her some trouble, as NBA fans criticized her for a recent statement she made.

In a recent episode of the “Roommates” show, Wilson stunned both the NBA and WNBA by claiming that she could defeat New York Knicks star Josh Hart in a one-on-one matchup. Additionally, she predicted that the final score would be 11-8.

“Score would be 11-8, me. I’m not saying you gonna go scoreless, 8 to 11 is pretty solid. So, what do you think it’ll be, Josh?” Wilson said.

Although Josh and Wilson both had a good laugh during their conversation, Wilson’s comment stirred up the basketball community. “She’d lose 11-0 w him only playing w his offhand,” one fan said.

Everyone Is Saying The Same Thing After Cameras Caught An Interesting Moment Between Fever Teammates Caitlin Clark & Lexie Hull

 

Caitlin Clark And Lexie Hull (Photo via Twitter)
Caitlin Clark and Lexie Hull created a bond in 224 that continues into 2025.

Clark made her long-awaited return to the basketball court on May 4, when the Indiana Fever played against Brazil’s international team.

The Iowa native missed the team’s first preseason game on Saturday, but she wasn’t going to miss Sunday’s game, which was played at her alma mater’s stadium.

Amid the 108-44 blowout victory, Clark, who scored 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists, could be seen relaxed on the sidelines alongside Lexie Hull and Sophia Cunningham.

Fans couldn’t help but notice how insanely close Caitlin Clark was to Hull.

One post stated, “They are not beating the work wife allegations 😭,” while providing a video of the trio on the bench.

they not beating the work wife allegations 😭pic.twitter.com/Z4pGVAiGJ6

— ZÈA (@thecaitshot) May 4, 2025

 

How social media reacted:

“Need to add Cameron Brink to this team, and Caitlin will have a harem,” one fan said.

they not beating the work wife allegations 😭pic.twitter.com/Z4pGVAiGJ6

— ZÈA (@thecaitshot) May 4, 2025

 

“Got caught 😁,” a second fan added.

they not beating the work wife allegations 😭pic.twitter.com/Z4pGVAiGJ6

— ZÈA (@thecaitshot) May 4, 2025

 

“And Lexi be yelling at Caitlin to behave sometimes. It’s hilarious. That hand was so close to giving her a little back rub,” a third fan said of Caitlin Clark.

they not beating the work wife allegations 😭pic.twitter.com/Z4pGVAiGJ6

— ZÈA (@thecaitshot) May 4, 2025

 

“caitlin can get it 🤤 lemme join the harem 💞,” a fourth fan wrote.

they not beating the work wife allegations 😭pic.twitter.com/Z4pGVAiGJ6

— ZÈA (@thecaitshot) May 4, 2025

 

“Scissor me timbers,” one final fan added.

they not beating the work wife allegations 😭pic.twitter.com/Z4pGVAiGJ6

— ZÈA (@thecaitshot) May 4, 2025

 

Caitlin Clark Is In A Relationship

Caitlin Clark (Photo By Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Caitlin Clark has found her perfect match in boyfriend Connor McCaffery.

The reigning rookie of the year has been dating the former basketball player and assistant coach since April 2023. They first met at the University of Iowa, where they were both student athletes playing for the Hawkeyes.

McCaffery marked their one-year anniversary with a sweet message on Instagram. “One year [with] the best,” he wrote alongside a loved-up pic of the pair. “Doing life [with you] has been easy, and you never cease to amaze me.”

Who knows? We might be seeing wedding bells soon.

Newly-minted Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham might be the only member of the team that can even approach the popularity of Caitlin Clark.

Time will tell if Cunningham will be as impactful as the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, but she’s certainly giving Clark a run as far as offseason attention goes.

Ahead of their preseason game against the Washington Mystics, Cunningham showed up to the venue with a head-turning outfit. She wore a gray shirt that was cut off above her abs and a pair of gray shorts.

“it’s gameday, baby 😏,” the team wrote on X. Also included in the photo set were Kelsey Mitchell and Natasha Howard.

it’s gameday, baby 😏 pic.twitter.com/oAZAqeqpib

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 3, 2025

 

Fever fans were certainly happy to see Cunningham and the others getting ready for their first action of the season.

“I can’t tell is the weather cold or hot? Sophie looks like it’s tanning weather, Kelsey and flash look like it’s winter time 🙂 one more hour!!” one user wrote.

“Please drip the rest of the 15 throughout the day. Pretty olease, with a (cherry) on top?” wrote another.

“Soph already killing it. Per usual….” a third wrote.

“Cunningham so fine,” another added.

PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 10: Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury arrives to the arena before the game against the Dallas Wings on July 10, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images)

Kate Frese/Getty Images

Cunningham played the first six seasons of her WNBA career for the Phoenix Mercury after a superb career at the University of Missouri. After three seasons as a bench player, she finally got a taste of life as a full-time starter in 2022, averaging 12.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. She finished thirdf in the Most Improved Player voting that season.

Over her final three seasons with the Mercury, Cunningham averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while starting 72 of 99 games.

But Cunningham’s time with in Phoenix came to an end a few months ago when she was involved in a four-team trade. Cunningham and Jaelyn Brown both joined the Fever in a deal that saw NaLyssa Smith go to the Dallas Wings and their No. 8 overall pick going the Connecticut Sun.

Expectations are sky-high for the Fever in 2025 after the team’s 20-20 record last year during Caitlin Clark’s first season.

Will 2025 be Cunningham’s best season?

A mother, a daughter, a song… and a miracle in real time.

As the house lights dimmed, you could feel it — the air, the hush, the weight of something sacred. Then, a voice. One the world hadn’t heard in years.
🎶 Jackie’s deep, honeyed contralto—now kissed with age and rasp—rose through the silence, opening their 1995 classic in a moment no one believed they’d witness again.

At 49, Susan stepped beside her mother like she always had. But this time, it was different. When she joined the pre-chorus with her signature soaring soprano, the harmony hit with such force it sent shivers through the entire sold-out crowd.
It wasn’t just music. It was healing in the form of sound.

💔 A Song, A Stroke, A Second Chance

Jackie’s handwritten lyrics lay across the piano — a quiet reminder of the stroke that stole her memory but not her spirit.
⏱️ At exactly 3:12, as her voice wavered on the bridge, Susan instinctively lifted the moment — harmonizing a third above, forming a chord so divine the audience described it as “speaking in tongues.”

But it wasn’t just the music.

💧 When Susan gently wiped a tear from Jackie’s cheek mid-verse, without missing a note…
An audience member snapped a photo.
It became an instant meme:
“When God’s Still Writing Your Testimony.”
And it couldn’t have been more true.

🙏 One Whisper. One Dedication. One More Goodbye.

In perhaps the most gut-wrenching twist, exclusive footage reveals Jackie mouthing the words:

“This is for your daddy.”

A private dedication to her late husband — the only other time Jackie had forgotten lyrics was at his funeral.
Until now.

📹 Watch It For Yourself

This isn’t just a performance.
It’s a testament of love, loss, healing, and divine timing — one verse, one harmony, one moment at a time.
👇 Watch the emotional footage, exclusive crowd reactions, and behind-the-scenes insight in the video here: 

Reba McEntire, the beloved country music icon, has recently shared her overwhelming excitement regarding her upcoming wedding to actor Rex Linn, scheduled for 2025. The couple, who have been an inspiring figure in Hollywood for over five years, has fans eagerly anticipating their special day. McEntire’s joy radiates through her words as she reflects on the journey that led them to this incredible point in their lives.

How Reba McEntire and Rex Linn Found Love

Reba McEntire and Rex Linn’s love story began over three decades ago but truly blossomed only in recent years. Their initial meeting took place on the set of the 1991 film “The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw.” Although sparks did not fly at that moment, the universe had other plans. Fast forward to January 2020, everything changed when they reconnected during McEntire’s guest appearance on the popular sitcom “Young Sheldon,” where Linn held a recurring role.

Image: Getty Images

This reunion sparked a beautiful friendship that quickly evolved into romance. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic created distance between them. Despite physical separation, their love only grew stronger. They maintained daily communication through phone calls and texts, which McEntire described as adding an unexpected layer of intimacy to their relationship.

The Strength of Their Relationship Through Challenges

In a heartfelt 2023 interview, McEntire disclosed that despite being together physically now, she still has Rex saved in her contacts as “Rex Linn, long-distance boyfriend.” This affectionate title highlights how their love navigated the hurdles posed by long-distance communication. Remarkably, McEntire believes that the challenges presented by the pandemic created a unique opportunity for the two to connect on a more profound level. They could dive deep into conversations, discovering the core of each other’s personalities and values.

Image: Getty Images

As their relationship blossomed through pandemic-induced limitations, Reba and Rex have consistently shared their adventures with their fans. From cozy date nights to jubilant public outings, each moment they spend together adds to their romantic fairness. Just recently, the couple enjoyed a fun-filled evening at Opry 100, a night that captured the essence of their loving connection.

Exciting Plans for Their Wedding in 2025

With their love story progressing beautifully, McEntire’s anticipation for her wedding in 2025 is palpable. Embracing the hurricane of emotions that come with arranging a wedding, she expressed her eagerness in various interviews. “I couldn’t be more excited,” she stated, reflecting on the joy and happiness that prepping for their special day brings her. The couple is planning a ceremony that marries their love for each other with their individual styles, ensuring a memorable occasion.

Image: Getty Images

Fans are looking forward to the intricacies of their wedding details, from the venue to the décor, all reflecting their distinctive personalities. Knowing McEntire’s love for music, it’s likely that the celebration will be infused with melodious sounds, making it a night to remember. Furthermore, both McEntire and Linn’s families are supportive of their union, excited to come together to celebrate love, laughter, and new beginnings.

The Legacy of Reba McEntire and Rex Linn

In addition to their wedding preparations, McEntire and Linn have built a strong legacy of their own, inspiring fans through their story. Their journey illustrates that true love can endure trials and grow stronger through adversity. Beyond the glamour of Hollywood, their relationship is grounded in mutual respect, understanding, and a shared vision for the future.

Image: Getty Images

The couple embodies the idea that distance doesn’t diminish the bond you share with someone. Instead, it can strengthen it. As both McEntire and Linn look toward their wedding day, they continue to inspire others with their unbreakable connection and genuine love for one another.

Reba McEntire and Rex Linn’s love story is a journey filled with excitement, overcoming challenges, and beautiful moments. As the much-anticipated wedding approaches in 2025, fans can’t help but share in their joy and wonder about the details of the event.

Kelly Clarkson Offers Emotional Tribute to Dolly Parton by Rewriting ‘Piece by Piece’ After the Death of Dolly’s Husband, Carl Dean

In a deeply touching and unforgettable moment, Kelly Clarkson paid tribute to Dolly Parton in the wake of her husband Carl Dean’s passing—using music to bring comfort during one of the hardest times in Dolly’s life. On her talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Kelly performed a special version of her song Piece by Piece, but this time, the lyrics carried a whole new meaning.

Dolly and Carl’s love was the kind of story rarely seen in show business. Married for over 50 years, Carl was Dolly’s quiet anchor—rarely in the public eye, but always by her side. His death marked the end of an era for Dolly, and though she grieved privately, the world felt her pain.

Wanting to offer a gesture of love and solidarity, Kelly chose to rework Piece by Piece—a song originally written about abandonment and healing—and transformed it into a celebration of unwavering love and loyalty. Every lyric was carefully rewritten to honor Carl’s lifelong dedication to Dolly.

As she began singing, the atmosphere in the studio shifted. Kelly’s voice cracked slightly under the weight of emotion, but she continued, delivering lines that spoke directly to Dolly’s heart:

“Piece by piece, he built you a life,
Never let go, stayed right by your side.
Through every storm, through all the years,
He held your hand, he dried your tears.”

The audience was completely still, visibly moved by the raw beauty of the performance. The new version of the song was no longer about heartbreak—it had become a tribute to a love that lasted a lifetime.

Cameras caught Dolly in the front row, overcome with emotion. Tears welled in her eyes as she held a hand over her chest, clearly touched by the unexpected act of kindness.

When the final note faded, Kelly walked over to her and gently embraced her, whispering, “He loved you piece by piece, every single day.”

With a soft smile and teary eyes, Dolly replied, “And I’ll love him the same way… every day of my life.”

The moment went viral almost instantly. Fans flooded social media with messages of love and admiration, not just for Kelly’s performance, but for the beautiful bond it honored between Dolly and Carl. It reminded everyone watching that love—true love—endures even in the face of loss.

It was more than just a song. It was healing. It was memory. And most of all, it was love.

Reba McEntire just recently announced that she would be releasing a new lifestyle book titled “Not That Fancy” that will also be accompanied by an album by the same name featuring stripped down versions of some of her most famous songs.

Hell yes.

Of course, when an artist announces a project like this one, they have to go on a media tour for it, and Reba stopped by the Today Show yesterday (sorry if that’s confusing) to discuss her new book and album.

She revealed some sneak peaks into the book, sharing some small words of wisdom and a couple of cocktail recipes, but the biggest revelation came when Carson Daly asked about McEntire’s mother, Jacqueline McEntire.

Jacqueline passed away back in 2020 at the age of 93 following a battle with cancer. Though Reba stated that her mom had lived a full life, it was still a tough time of mourning for the country music star, as it is with anyone who loses a loved one.

In the sit down interview with Carson Daly on the “Hoda & Jenna” portion of the Today Show, McEntire opened up about her relationship with her mother and how big of a role she had when it came time for Reba to chase her country music dream.

Carson Daly first asked:

“Your mom wanted to be a country singer and taught you and your siblings how to sing. Of course, three out of four of you would go on to sing.

What was that like for her to see her dream come true through her kids?”

Reba responded by saying:

“Well she was as nervous as we were.

When we got on stage, she would hold somebody’s hand and squeeze it so hard, and it was so nerve-racking for her.

But she was channeling all her energy to us and she would mouth every word we sang.”

As any proud parent would do, Reba’s mom supported her kids with all of her heart, but that didn’t stop her from being worried for them. A singer herself, she knew how much courage it took for her kids to step up on stage.

Carson Daly then asks Reba if she thought her mom was living vicariously through her kids, to which Reba responded:

“Yeah, because she didn’t get to go do what she wanted to do, and that’s what she said to me when I was first going to Nashville.

I was dreading it, and she said ‘If you don’t want to do this, let’s just go on home. But if we go on to Nashville, I’ll be living out all my dreams through you.’

And then I said ‘Well shoot, why didn’t you say that in the beginning?’”

Sounds like Reba needed one final push from her mom to start her lustrous country music career. Thank God for Jacqueline McEntire, because otherwise the world would have been robbed of one of the best country music artists to ever do it.

The clip from the Today Show can be seen below:

 

Cody Johnson

First impressions are everything, and it seems that these two superstars left an amazing one on each other.

We are days away from the release of Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood‘s collaboration, “I’m Gonna Love You,” and the promo that we are getting for the single has me fired up to hear it in full.

 

When the duo announced the single last week, Johnson noted that this collaboration had been a long time coming. The song was written by Travis Denning in 2019, and although it was not meant to be a duet, after hearing a female harmony on the demo, he and Johnson started thinking it would be something extraordinary as a duet. Given their gut feeling that a female voice could launch this song to the next level, they wanted to shoot for the stars of who they could bring on it – and boy, did they.

Johnson secured one of the most prominent female country stars to accompany him on the track, Carrie Underwood. Johnson shared when he announced the collaboration, that he wanted Carrie on it right away:

“From the moment I heard this song, I heard Carrie’s voice on it. It was a non-negotiable for me; either we sing it together, or I wouldn’t sing it at all. It’s that special to me. Working with Carrie has been an absolute pleasure. She’s not only one hell of a singer, but she’s a class act all the way around. It warms my heart to work with someone who’s seen so much success in their career and who’s still so down-to-earth. I feel like this duet is going to be massive in so many ways, and I couldn’t be more proud of it!”

While Johnson is beyond thrilled to have Underwood on the track, based on recent promotional material, it sounds like Underwood was just as excited to work with Johnson.

“So I think the first time we met was an award show, and there’s always so much going on at those things, and everybody’s just coming and going. But I remember leaving that night, just saying, ‘I really, I really like that guy, and I hope I watch him do great things.’”

Johnson returned the kind sentiment, noting how he admires Underwood’s humility and drive.

“Well, I feel the same way. You know we’re around the same age, but I always grew up listening to your music going, ‘I wonder what it would be like to be in that position.’ And they say they don’t meet your heroes because you might get disappointed. And I was not disappointed. It’s really a breath of fresh air to meet someone that fame hasn’t affected and that is really staying grounded.”

The video ends on a funny note as Johnson tells Underwood his little girls are massive fans of her music and that he was humbled by them when he shared that he met the “All-American Girl” singer.

“And when I told my kids, my little girls, that I met Carrie Underwood, they forgot all about Cody Johnson.”

Even the most famous of dads get pushed out of the limelight here and there…

Hearing the mutual respect that Johnson and Underwood have for each other further shows that this song has been a long time coming. This will be the first thing I fire up from this week’s Country New Music Friday.