Hard working country and western superstar Reba Nell McEntire (1955-) was born on this day. Calling herself "a big tomboy," she grew up on an 8,000-acre ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma and was "raised with horses and cattle."

"When I sing, it's going to be country. I'm a very country person. I'm very proud of my country roots. And I am a country singer," she proclaimed.

With passionate determination, she cut her first hit Three Sheets in the Wind in 1978. Dazzling success followed with sold out concerts, over 25 best-selling records, and countless awards. Today her corporation (Starstruck Entertainment) is on Nashville's Music Row.

"Without God, I don’t see how folks cope," said the beautiful redhead.

Reba endures and thrives. She calls herself a "natural actress" and received rave notices as the star of Broadway's Annie Get Your Gun (2001). The New York Post said of her performance, "She is waif-like cute. She is whimsical. She is eager. She is over-the-top funny."

"It's so nice to be at the point in life where you don't feel such an urgency to constantly prove yourself," she said.

The country legend's hit half-hour situation comedy was called "one of the jewels" of the WB network. In March 2005, she teamed up with Dillard's retail chain to unveil her signature clothing line. Practical and strong, she explained, "Growing up is not being so dead-set on making everybody happy."

Work hard.