Red Hot for Reba Original Tribute Song

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of producing countless albums and original music projects for some of the most celebrated voices in the entertainment industry. But Red Hot for Reba holds a truly special place in my heart — because this one started purely for the love of the craft.

When one of my vocal students approached me about entering a songwriting contest — something I had never personally done before — I realized that if I was going to guide her authentically through the process, I needed to experience it firsthand. So, I sat down to write a song of my own. And when I did, I was shocked: how had the world never seen a song like this before? A tribute to the one and only Reba McEntire — the undisputed Queen of Country Music!

My personal connection to Reba made this project even more meaningful. I’ve had the honor of working with Ms. McEntire on several occasions since we first met in 2017 at Andrea Bocelli’s exclusive summertime gala in Rome. I’ll never forget it: I introduced myself to her as a relative of Roy Acuff — a country music icon whom Reba reveres — and she stopped dead in her tracks, smiled that unmistakable Reba smile, and said, "Any kin of Roy Acuff is kin to me too. I am officially a part of your family now. What can I do for you?" It was a moment I’ll treasure forever. Reba McEntire had been one of my heroes since childhood, and that exchange felt like something straight out of a dream.

Needless to say, when the idea for Red Hot for Reba struck, it came from a deeply personal place. The lyrics are rooted in a real memory: when I was a kid, my sister Beth hung a Reba poster on her wall — it said READ MY MIND beneath a photo of Reba, a stunning, angelic beauty with fiery crimson hair. I remember staring into her gaze so intensely that I nearly passed out. From that moment on, I was hooked. Reba wasn’t just a singer to me — she was a symbol of everything magical about music and storytelling.

For this project, I managed every aspect of the creation and production of the single, from songwriting and arranging to final recording and mixing. When the track was finished, I even had the surreal experience of playing it for Reba herself. Her response? "Well thanks, that'll be stuck in my head for the next three months now." (And honestly, is there any higher compliment than that?)

Red Hot for Reba is a celebration of musical heroes, first inspirations, and the lifelong power of great storytelling. It’s a love letter, a full-circle moment, and a piece of my heart — all wrapped into one unforgettable original song.