In 1991, Reba McEntire’s career and life took a major turn when she lost her band in a plane crash. 34 years ago, a plane carrying seven members of Reba’s band crashed near San Diego after a private show. Tragically, every member on board passed away in the crash on Otay Mountain.
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On that fateful day, Reba had stayed behind as she was recovering from a case of bronchitis and was scheduled to leave San Diego the following day. However, that decision would leave the singer with quite a load to carry. An eerily similar load to Waylon Jennings’ and his decision to give his seat to Buddy Holly on the day the music died.
Waylon Jennings’ Polite Refusal to Speak at The Memorial Service for Reba’s Band
If you are unfamiliar with the story between Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly, on February 13, 1959, Waylon Jennings gave up his seat on the plane for Buddy Holly. Jennings’ decision had nothing to do with the plane crash itself; however, if Jennings had gotten on the plane, he would have been the one to have lost his life and not Holly. That being so, he had quite the trauma to sort out, and according to Reba, that is why he decided to opt out of the memorial service.
Following the death of Reba’s band, many of country music’s biggest names flocked to support McEntire during these trying times. However, when she asked Jennings to speak at the service, he politely refused. Although he didn’t not support Reba, as he gave her an invaluable piece of advice pertaining merely to their uniquely troubling circumstances.
According to the biography, Reba: My Story, Jennings provided Reba with some comforting words amidst her internal plight. These were comforting words that nobody else could say, given that nobody else had gone through something this particular. In the book, Reba said Jennings told her, “Don’t you feel guilty because of the plane crash.” “It wasn’t meant for you to be on that plane or you would have been. So don’t blame yourself and don’t feel guilty,” added Jennings.
In light of Jenning’s polite refusal, Reba asked Johnny Cash to speak at the service. Despite the fact that Cash’s mother had recently passed, he still accepted the offer and also performed the song, “Jim, I Wore a Tie Today.” Surely everyone can sympathize with Jennings’ refusal to bow out, after all, Reba did. Nevertheless, the man still imparted some invaluable wisdom on his country music counterpart and dear friend.
Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images
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