One of the most heartbreaking moments in country music history happened on March 16, 1991, when Reba McEntire lost her entire band in a plane crash. That night, Reba learned that the plane carrying her band had crashed shortly after taking off from San Diego. Sadly, there were no survivors.
A Tragedy That Changed Everything
The crash occurred after Reba and her team had performed at a private event for IBM in San Diego. While the band traveled on to Fort Wayne, Indiana, Reba stayed behind at the hotel, feeling slightly unwell.
Those who lost their lives included:
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Jim Hammon (tour manager)
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Kirk Cappello and Joey Cigainero (keyboardists)
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Tony Saputo (drummer)
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Michael Thomas and Chris Austin (guitarists)
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Terry Jackson (bassist)
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Paula Kaye Evans (backup singer)
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Donald Holmes and Christopher Hollinger (pilots)
Dolly Parton Stepped In with Real Support
In an interview with Variety Magazine, Reba revealed that Dolly Parton called her immediately after the tragedy and offered help. Dolly said: “What do you need? Do you want my band?”
Dolly sent her music director, Gary Smith, to help Reba rebuild a new band, allowing her to continue touring. Vince Gill also offered to play and sing with Reba until she was ready to return to the stage.
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The Artist–Band Connection Goes Deep
The bond between a singer and their band is often like family. That’s why Dolly’s offer carried deep emotional meaning. She didn’t just offer help — she offered her heart.
Reba Never Forgot That Kindness
Years later, when Dolly and Reba collaborated on the song “Does He Love You?”, Reba shared how much Dolly’s support meant to her during those dark times. This is a powerful example of true friendship in the world of music.
