{"id":2919,"date":"2025-06-22T11:20:31","date_gmt":"2025-06-22T11:20:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/?p=2919"},"modified":"2025-06-22T11:20:31","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T11:20:31","slug":"reba-mcentire-breaks-down-remembering-dolly-partons-support-after-tragic-plane-crash-on-march-16-1991-reba-got-the-call-that-changed-everything-her-entire-band-and-tour-manager-ha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grow48.us\/?p=2919","title":{"rendered":"REBA MCENTIRE BREAKS DOWN REMEMBERING DOLLY PARTON\u2019S SUPPORT AFTER TRAGIC PLANE CRASH On March 16, 1991, Reba got the call that changed everything \u2014 her entire band and tour manager had died in a plane crash. She was supposed to be on that flight but stayed behind in San Diego due to illness. Amid the heartbreak, Dolly Parton reached out and offered Reba the use of her own band. \u201cDolly was the first to call. I\u2019ll never forget that,\u201d Reba said, holding back tears. A moment of true friendship in the darkest time. – FULL STORY BELOW \ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"

In one of the darkest chapters of her life, Reba found comfort, support, and strength from a fellow country music icon: Dolly Parton.<\/strong>\u00a0\ud83d\udc94\ud83c\udfb6<\/p>\n

\u00a0A Night That Changed Everything<\/h3>\n

For fans of Reba McEntire, March 16, 1991, will forever mark a moment of heartbreak in country music history. At\u00a02:00 AM<\/strong>, while resting in her hotel room after a performance in\u00a0San Diego<\/strong>, Reba received the phone call no artist ever wants to hear.<\/p>\n

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A plane carrying\u00a0her entire touring band and tour manager<\/strong>\u00a0had crashed while en route to\u00a0Fort Wayne, Indiana<\/strong>, just hours after a private show for IBM executives. In that single moment, Reba lost\u00a0nine close colleagues and friends<\/strong>\u2014people she considered family.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0The Lives Lost in the Crash<\/h3>\n

The tragic accident claimed the lives of:<\/p>\n

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    Jim Hammon<\/strong>\u00a0(Tour Manager)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Kirk Cappello<\/strong>\u00a0&\u00a0Joey Cigainero<\/strong>\u00a0(Keyboardists)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Tony Saputo<\/strong>\u00a0(Drummer)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Michael Thomas<\/strong>\u00a0&\u00a0Chris Austin<\/strong>\u00a0(Guitarists)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Terry Jackson<\/strong>\u00a0(Bassist)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Paula Kaye Evans<\/strong>\u00a0(Backup Singer)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Donald Holmes<\/strong>\u00a0&\u00a0Christopher Hollinger<\/strong>\u00a0(Pilots)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Reba herself was meant to be on the plane\u2014but at the last moment, she chose to remain in San Diego due to feeling unwell. Her then-husband,\u00a0Narvel Blackstock<\/strong>, and stylist\u00a0Sandy Spika<\/strong>\u00a0stayed with her, while the rest of the team traveled on two separate planes. One of them crashed.<\/p>\n

    \u00a0Honoring Their Memory<\/h3>\n

    Later that year, Reba was awarded\u00a0Top Female Vocalist at the ACM Awards<\/strong>, and in a deeply emotional moment, she\u00a0dedicated her win to the bandmates she had lost<\/strong>. Her heartfelt speech touched millions and remains one of the most moving tributes in award show history.<\/p>\n