Throwback: Reba, Kelly Clarkson & Trisha Yearwood Perform “Softly And Tenderly” Live At The Ryman
on Apr 17, 2025
Reba McEntire Released Her First Gospel Album In 2017
Reba McEntire has been making music since the 1970s and has dozens of country albums to her name. But it wasn’t until later in her career that she decided to release her very first gospel album.
In 2017, she shared Sing Now: Songs of Faith & Hope with the world.
The album is split into two parts. The first half features Reba’s take on classic hymns, while the second half includes all original songs.
So what took Reba, a performer who’s always been open about her faith, so long to come out with a gospel project?
In an interview with Billboard right before the album dropped nearly a decade ago, she shared that one reason she had held off on making a gospel record was because her sister, Susie, had already found success in the Christian music world. But as time went on, the idea stayed with her, and eventually, the timing just felt right.
“I didn’t get into that genre because of Susie, but she was fine with it and really encouraged me. I think that timing is everything. I was pleased that everybody was on board and enthusiastic about me doing a gospel album.”
RELATED: THE BEST GOSPEL ALBUMS BY COUNTRY ARTISTS
The Grammy-winning singer first announced her gospel album during a Facebook Live chat in 2016. During the same chat, she also revealed she’d be doing a one-night-only show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, to help promote it.
Not long after that, Reba released the first single from Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope. The song was “Softly and Tenderly,” featuring Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood.
Watch Reba, Trisha, & Kelly Sing “Softly And Tenderly”
The audience at the Ryman that night got to witness a once-in-a-lifetime performance when Reba, Trisha Yearwood, and Kelly Clarkson came together on stage.
Their performance of “Softly And Tenderly” was a powerful reminder that Jesus is always with us and watching over us,
Watch the throwback performance of when Reba, Trisha Yearwood, and Kelly Clarkson sang “Softly and Tenderly” at the Ryman in the video below.
