Reba McEntire Marks 50 Years with EP Series and NBCs Happys Place Season 3
Reba McEntire is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her music career with a series of EP releases that pair new songs with classic catalog tracks. The first EP in the series was issued in April, and the next, titled "Ring, Ring," is scheduled for release on July 24 through MCA Records. The same year, McEntire’s NBC sitcom Happy’s Place returns for a third season on October 23, bringing her back to the small‑screen format that helped launch her acting career in the early 2000s.
The EP strategy was conceived by McEntire’s manager, Justin McIntosh, who has worked with the country star for more than a decade. McIntosh explained that the idea was to give listeners a fresh song while also offering familiar favorites that fans can sing along to. "It’s genius to be able to bring a new song to the fans along with five songs that are in the catalog," McIntosh said on the Daily Variety podcast. McIntosh added that the releases will continue throughout the year, and McEntire has created special playlists to help fans explore her extensive catalog.
McIntosh’s plan is part of a broader celebration of McEntire’s 50 years in the music industry. The EPs are distributed by MCA, the label that has released most of McEntire’s work since the mid‑1980s. The next EP, "Ring, Ring," will feature a newly recorded track alongside five older songs. The release date of July 24 places the EP in the middle of the summer listening season, a time when country audiences are actively seeking new material.
In addition to her music activities, McEntire is preparing for the premiere of Happy’s Place Season 3. The show, which debuted on NBC in October 2024, follows the story of a woman who inherits a bar and discovers a younger half‑sister who also has a share of the inheritance. McEntire co‑stars with her husband, actor Rex Linn, and reunites with the production team that created her earlier WB Network series Reba. The sitcom is filmed in a traditional four‑camera format, a style McEntire described as nostalgic and family‑friendly. "It’s funny. It’s family entertainment. It’s great writing, great actors," McEntire said on the podcast.
McEntire’s involvement in the entertainment industry extends beyond music and television. In recent years she has invested in a retail and entertainment center in Atoka, Oklahoma, near her hometown of Chockie. The 15,000‑square‑foot building, originally constructed in 1907, houses a diner called Reba’s Place, a live‑music stage, a speakeasy, a library, and a gift shop. The library contains books that belonged to McEntire’s mother, Jacqueline McEntire, who died in 2020 at age 93. McEntire explained that the center serves as a tribute to her mother and a gathering place for her family and community.
The combination of a new EP series, a returning sitcom, and a local business venture illustrates how McEntire is leveraging her brand across multiple platforms. The EP releases are already in the pipeline, with "Ring, Ring" slated for July, while the third season of Happy’s Place is set to premiere in October. The Atoka center continues to operate and host live performances, reinforcing McEntire’s presence in her home state.
These developments show that McEntire remains an active figure in country music, television, and local entrepreneurship. The EP releases will keep her catalog fresh for listeners, the sitcom will bring her back to a familiar television format, and the Atoka center provides a tangible link to her roots.
