Season opener Reba McEntire takes a break from other projects
(Correction: Because of a reporting error, the second venue for the WFNX Best Music Poll party on June 7 was omitted in the Rock Notes column in Friday's Living/Arts section. The Killers are playing at the Bank of America Pavilion.)
Reba McEntire has sold nearly 50 million albums -- more than any other female country artist -- and had 31 No. 1 hits, which she'll soon fold into a ''Ones" album a la Elvis Presley and the Beatles.
Yet McEntire, who opens the Tweeter Center's summer season tonight with Brad Paisley and Terri Clark (humorously dubbed the ''Two Hats and a Redhead Tour"), modestly shrugs off these achievements.
''I wouldn't have known I had that many number ones if they hadn't told me," she says. ''I had my first No. 1 in 1982, so I've been around long enough to chalk them up. And I had my latest No. 1 last year with 'Somebody.' "
There are workaholics -- and then there's Reba. She has diversified in recent years by acting on Broadway in 2001 in ''Annie Get Your Gun," then launching the popular TV sitcom ''Reba" on the WB network. And she has a new clothing line. No wonder it's somewhat restful for her just to get back on the road and sing.
''We've been out for two weekends and the crowds have loved the combination of me with Brad and Terri," she says of her latest tour. ''Terri goes on first, then Brad, then me, but we all come out and do two or three songs as an encore."
The tour helps benefit Habitat for Humanity, with one dollar of each ticket going to the nonprofit. ''I've always been a big fan of Habitat and I've loved what they do. They work hard. It's been a great marriage," she says.
McEntire's return to New England tonight is symbolic. She helped put country music on the map in this region when she scored a hit with ''Whoever's in New England" in 1984.
''I think back to '83 and '84 when Ricky Skaggs and I came up there to play," she adds. ''I couldn't believe how many people were coming out to the concerts then. They'd say, 'Oh, we love country music up here.' So I'm not surprised at all that it's done well there. I'm sure other people are surprised, though, because when I did 'Whoever's in New England,' some would say, 'Why are you singing a song about the Northeast? They don't like country music.' And I'd say, 'Yeah, they do.'
''I had to fight for the song a bit, but hey, I was standing up for y'all a long time ago."
New shows: The Killers, Kaiser Chiefs, Dresden Dolls, Raveonettes, and others play the WFNX Best Music Poll party on Lansdowne Street June 7. Tickets on sale now. . . . Ozzfest tickets for July 15 at the Tweeter Center go on sale tomorrow at noon. . . . Crosby, Stills & Nash are at
Savage again: Local rock-soul belter Barrence Whitfield has just launched a fourth incarnation of his band the Savages, debuting tonight at the Overdraught Pub. ''Come and sweat," says Whitfield, who promises to do early Savages material from his first two albums. The latest band includes drummer Howie Ferguson, guitarist Steve Aquino (who used to be with the Lyres), bassist Scott Cormier, and saxophonist Brian Worby.
Bits and pieces: Ben Lee has been added as the opener for Aimee Mann at the Orpheum June 9. . . . The Flutie Brothers, featuring incoming New England Patriot Doug Flutie on drums, are at Harpers Ferry May 19. . . . The third annual Music for Middlesex concert, to benefit families struggling with homelessness, is at Medford's Chevalier Theatre May 14. Aerosmith's Steven Tyler will cohost a donor dinner reception before the show. The acts booked to play are Duke and the Drivers, James Montgomery & Friends (with Doug Flutie and Danny Klein of the J. Geils Band), Jon Pousette-Dart and Charlie Farren, but don't be shocked if Tyler jumps up to jam. . . . Tonight: The Gentlemen at T.T. the Bear's, Soulive at the Paradise with Sam Kininger, Lucky 57 and the Stumbleweeds at the Abbey Lounge, Franc Graham at Toad. . . . Tomorrow: Maktub at Harpers Ferry, Mike Doughty at the Middle East Downstairs.
