Author: Ms Bich

Reba McEntire Shares Precious Memories of Her Mama With Fans [Pictures]

Reba McEntire is using her new song, “Seven Minutes in Heaven,” as a way of connecting with fans over some of life’s most bittersweet moments.

The song finds McEntire wondering what she’d do if she could make a quick trip to the afterlife. Not even the singer’s musical heroes like Johnny Cash or Elvis Presley would get her attention during a trip this short: She’d need to save up every second for the one special person she wants to see the most.

Of course, that’s McEntire’s mother Jacqueline, who died in March 2020 at 93 years old.

Since she released the song and its accompanying music video, McEntire’s fans have been putting out their own videos set to “Seven Minutes in Heaven,” focusing on the late loved ones they’re yearning to see again most.

The singer’s seen all those tributes, and she wanted to participate: On social media, McEntire recently shared a montage of photos of her and her mom together.

“I’ve been so touched seeing all the videos y’all have been making using ‘Seven Minutes in Heaven’ in dedication to your loved ones. I dedicated this song to my mama,” she explains in the caption. “She took a trip to heaven in 2020 and I’ve give anything to visit her up there for seven minutes.”

The clip takes fans through McEntire’s family, starting with her young childhood: We see a black-and-white photo of a preschool-aged McEntire posing with her mom. As the years continue, both McEntire and her mom get older — but they’ve still got the same obvious love for each other in the photographs through the years.

McEntire also put a spotlight on her mom in the “Seven Minutes in Heaven” music video, with McEntire showing up at a corner booth in heaven for a special, long-awaited reunion with her mom. Though Jacqueline’s face is never shown directly in the clip, it’s clear from the build and hair of the woman sitting across the table from McEntire that it’s her mom she’s thinking about as she sings.

“This one was an emotional one to film, but I’m sure glad we did,” the singer wrote on social media when the video first came out.

“Seven Minutes in Heaven” comes off the tracklist of McEntire’s Not That Fancy album, a companion to her book of the same title. The project primarily consists of a series of revisited hits, including stripped down versions of “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” “Fancy” and “Consider Me Gone.”

See Reba McEntire Through the Years:

Shelby’s Birth

Instagram: @reba

Shelby’s Birth

“Look what God gave us 25 years ago!!! Happy birthday Shelby!! @shelbyblackstock #bestdayever #thankyouGod #thankyounarvel #momclub”

The McEntires

Instagram: @reba

The McEntires

“25 years ago tonight, my water broke. @shelbyblackstock started making his way into the world. Mama, Daddy with me and Shelby.”

Pregnant Reba

Instagram: @reba

Pregnant Reba

“Seems like yesterday! This was December 3, 1989. Pregnant with Shelby. Alice and Mama were with me in Florida at my concert. #Shelby #one’sontheway #flashbackfriday @shelbyblackstock”

Reba’s Payphone

Instagram: @reba

Reba’s Payphone

“And yes that’s how we used to do it when we were out on tour! #goodoledays #payphones #tbt #throwbackthursday”

George Strait: The Original Photobomber

Instagram: @reba

George Strait: The Original Photobomber

“Here is another well-known photo bomber 🙂 @GeorgeStrait A few years back:) #georgestrait #Reba #rebanashicon”

Reba the 5th Grader

Instagram: @reba

Reba the 5th Grader

“Eat your heart out!!!!! 5th grade??? #i’mtoosexyformyhair”

Cowgirl Reba

Instagram: @reba

Cowgirl Reba

“Oh man! I forgot yesterday was Thursday!!!I missed #throwbackthursday So here you go! #tbt we will make this throwback Friday :-)”

Vintage Video Shoot

Instagram: @reba

Vintage Video Shoot

“#tbt @bruceboxleitner @jonsmall on the set of Cathy’s Clown video shoot. :)) #throwbackthursday #bighair #yaywesterns”

Her First Performance!

Instagram: @reba

Her First Performance!

“1st time to sing behind a microphone. 1st grade. #tbt #throwbackthursday”

Reba, the Pink Cowgirl

Instagram: @reba

Reba, the Pink Cowgirl

“#throwbackthursday I don’t think I’ll be wearing this outfit at Caesars June 2015 when I hook up with Brooks and Dunn for our residency 🙂 #tbt #gonnabefun”

How Well Do You Really Know Reba? 

Reba McEntire’s Son, Shelby Blackstock + His Wife Reveal Fertility Struggles

Shelby Blackstock, who is the only child of Reba McEntire, and his wife Marissa have been trying to get pregnant for over a year now — but they’ve faced some challenges along the way.

On Sunday (Nov. 26), Marissa shared a lengthy social media post detailing the fertility struggles she and her husband have encountered.

After trying through natural methods for some time, she explains, they enlisted the help of “Nashville’s top OBGYN,” and November marked their first medicated cycle. “Though it didn’t bring the news we hoped for, I’m reminded that success is about more than just results — it’s about gratitude for our health and each other,” Marissa writes.

“We’ve faced some scares,” she continues elsewhere in the post, explaining that she’s undergone an MRI for “prolactinemia-related concerns” as well as an HSG test, with results coming back clear for both. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, hysterosalpingography (HSG) is “an X-ray procedure that is used to view the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes,” and can show if the fallopian tubes are blocked or if the uterus is of normal size and shape.

“The two-week wait (TWW) has been full of ups and downs,” Marissa adds, referring to the two weeks between when ovulation occurs and when a pregnancy can be detected by a home pregnancy test. “I’m not looking for sympathy, but a bit of understanding goes a long way.”

“Life Update ❤️ To everyone who’s been part of our story, and those just joining: Shelby and I have been on our journey to start a family for over a year now. We’re under the care of Nashville’s top OBGYN, stepping forward with hope and resilience. This month was our first treatment cycle, and though it didn’t bring the news we hoped for, I’m reminded that success is more than just results – it’s about gratitude for our health and each other.

I have to say, Shelby has been an incredibly supportive partner through all of this. His strength and optimism have been my rock. Amid the challenges, we’ve found that it helps immensely to have little things to look forward to. A tip for anyone on a similar path: plan small, joyful activities regardless of the outcome. Like us booking a tee time at the Grand Opening of Puttshack – it was our way to ensure we’d have a moment of fun and connection, positive test or not.

We’ve faced some scares (MRI for prolactinemia-related concerns and HSG tests came back clear, thankfully), and the two-week wait (TWW) has been full of ups and downs. I’m not looking for sympathy, but a bit of understanding goes a long way.

I’m sharing our story openly because the silence around fertility struggles needs to be broken. It’s a tougher and more common journey than many realize. If you’re in the midst of this too, remember, you’re not alone. The emotional whirlwind is completely normal. Let’s keep supporting each other, finding joy in the small things, and holding onto hope. 💕 I’d love to hear your stories or words of encouragement. How do you stay positive during challenging times?”, Shelby Blackstock’s wife shares on her IG.

Although she speaks openly about the challenges and disappointments she and her husband are facing, Marissa’s post also sheds light on the positive side of their journey towards parenthood. “Shelby has been an incredibly supportive partner through all of this. His strength and optimism have been my rock,” she writes. “Amid the challenges, we’ve found that it helps immensely to have little things to look forward to.”

Marissa concludes her message by explains she wants to help break the stigma and silence that often surrounds fertility issues.

“It’s a tougher and more common journey than many realize,” she points out. “If you’re in the midst of this too, remember, you’re not alone. The emotional whirlwind is completely normal. Let’s keep supporting each other, finding joy in the small things, and holding onto hope.”

Marissa also shared more of her experience on an Instagram Stories slide, posting a photo of a cocktail that she ordered to help ease the disappointment of a negative pregnancy test (which she refers to as a “BFN,” short for “Big Fat Negative.”)

“Helping myself to a spicy marg after a BFN,” she writes.

Instagram

Blackstock and Marissa got married in Walt Disney World in February 2022. Of course, McEntire herself was on hand to celebrate, and she even took the spotlight once or twice during the festivities. The mother and son danced to “You’re Gonna Be (Always Loved By Me),” McEntire’s own 2005 release, and she even sang her hit “Fancy” for guests at the reception.

Read More: Reba McEntire’s Son Shelby + His Wife Reveal Fertility Struggles | https://tasteofcountry.com/reba-mcentire-son-shelby-blackstock-wife-marissa-fertility-struggles/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

Was Reba McEntire Wearing an Engagement Ring on ‘The Voice’?

The Voice was back on Monday night for the first round of live tapings, and coach Reba McEntire arrived on set with something new and sparkly on her finger.

That’s right: McEntire was rocking a sparkly diamond ring on her left ring finger, leading fans to wonder if she and her longtime boyfriend, actor Rex Linn, have gotten engaged.

McEntire and Linn have been dating since 2020.
Linn has never been married, while McEntire has been married twice before. McEntire was previously married to producer and manager Narvel Blackstock for 26 years, and they divorced in 2015.
The singer recently said that whether or not she and Linn get married is “up to him totally,” and that she’s enjoying traveling and spending time together.

It seems like these two are on the brink of an engagement — but McEntire said they’re not there quite yet. When asked about her eye-catching new accessory on the set of The Voice, the star told ET that she “just found it,” and she figured she would “put something over here, just let everybody talk about it.”

She also confirmed that she’s not currently planning a wedding.

In the same conversation, McEntire reviewed her experience with The Voice thus far and gushed over the talent on her team going into the live voting episodes. She also addressed the departure of her contestant Tom Nitti, who left the show for “personal reasons” in late November.

“We’ve been emailing back and forth, and all of our hearts went out to him ’cause he couldn’t finish the competition,” McEntire says. “He is so strong. So good. So he’s gonna be watching and cheering all of us on, but our hearts are with him.”

See the Cutest Pictures of Reba McEntire and Boyfriend Rex Linn Together

Lovingly known as the “Tots” as their couple name, Reba McEntire and boyfriend Rex Linn have quickly become one of the cutest couples in the public eye.

The longtime-friends-turned-lovers also have the sweetest pet names for each other: “Tater” and “Sugar Tot,” which really cranks up the cuteness. Although their love story is only a few years old, the two have actually known each other for many decades!

Linn and McEntire first crossed paths in 1991, on the set of Kenny Rogers’ movie The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw. At the time, McEntire was married to her second husband, Narvel Blackstock. She and Linn established a friendship that would carry on for years to come.

McEntire and Blackstock divorced in 2015, and she was later linked to Anthony “Skeeter” Lasuzzo between 2017 and 2019. It was in January 2020 that she and Linn reconnected, after she guest-starred on his show Young Sheldon. This sparked a deeper connection between the two, leading to daily conversations during the pandemic via text messages and Zoom calls. After a few virtual dates, the pair decided to meet up in person.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

The couple were confirmed to be dating after the “Fancy” singer shared the news on her Living & Learning with Reba McEntire podcast in October 2020. Since then, McEntire and Linn have been inseparable. They even worked together on another project, the ABC series Big Sky.

McEntire and Linn’s bond has many wondering if wedding bells are in their future.

“I told him if he wanted to get married that’s up to him totally,” the country veteran shared with Taste of Country. “He doesn’t seem pressured one way or the other.”

“We get along so well. We have fun. We travel together,” she continues. “Now, if you can do a road trip with a person and not get in an argument and still like each other when you get to your destination, that’s a pretty good partnership right there.”

The Cutest Photos of Reba McEntire and Boyfriend Rex Linn

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‘The Voice’: Reba McEntire Completes Her Team After L. Rodgers’ Powerful Rolling Stones Cover [Watch]

Reba McEntire has completed her team for Season 25 of The Voice after a powerful audition on Tuesday night (March 12). The country legend turned her chair for L. Rodgers after Rodgers delivered a stunning cover of the Rolling Stones classic, “Wild Horses.”

The 34-year-old singer took the stage in a black dress, sporting a number of tattoos and a shaved head as she launched into the classic ballad. She sang over a sparse background of a single acoustic guitar, beginning in her lower register, but powering up into her upper range as she progressed into the chorus.

See her performance in the video clip below:

A particularly tricky high vocal part got McEntire to turn her chair at the last minute, and Rodgers did not try to hide her excitement as her eyes went wide and the country icon smiled at her.

“I loved your voice,” McEntire told the singer. “I loved the roundness of it, the fullness of it. You’re a powerhouse!”

“You have touched my soul throughout my entire life,” Rodgers told McEntire, adding that she and her wife have been re-watching Reba.

“I love all of you so much,” Rodgers gushed to the judges, becoming visibly emotional as she told McEntire, “but I gotta say you’re my favorite!”

The other judges also shared effusive praise, but the moment clearly belonged to Rodgers and McEntire, who sealed their new partnership with a hug.

Tuesday night marked the final night of the Season 25 Blind Auditions on The Voice. The iconic reality singing competition will move into its next phase next week.

Tour our gallery below for a closer look at Team Reba McEntire on “The Voice” Season 25, including photos, bios and artist rankings. Also see our features for Team Chance the Rapper, Team Dan + Shay and Team John Legend.

Photo : Danny Ventrella/NBC

Asher HaVon (3-CHAIR TURN)

Age: 31

Hometown: Selma, AL

Resident: Houston, TX

Growing up in Selma, Ala., Asher was surrounded by gospel singers. President Obama went to Selma in 2015 for a speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery in honor of African-American civil rights. Asherauditioned for a spot in the choir that was set to perform John Legend’s song “Glory.” The choir director was so blown away by Asherthat Asher led the choir that day, performing in front of 200,000 people. This was also a turning point for his relationship with his father, whom he’s always had a complicated relationship with. A couple of years ago, his father survived a car accident and their relationship grew even stronger. They now talk regularly and he greatly supports Asher’s music. It was Asher’s mom who really pushed him to sing when he was young. He likes to call her his singing sergeant and is excited to make her proud on “The Voice.”

Photo : Danny Ventrella/NBC

William Alexander (2-CHAIR TURN)

Age: 16

Hometown: Staten Island, NY

Resident: Staten Island, NY

William, a first-generation Indian American, was introduced to music through Indian melodies, despite not speaking Malayalam fluently. His father encouraged William’s vocal talent. Winning first place in a church talent show boosted his confidence. Supported by his parents, William auditioned for Kidz Bop and had the opportunity to record music, be a part of a music video and perform at renowned venues such as the Apollo Theater. While his parents prioritize academics, Williams excels in challenging AP classes, particularly enjoying subjects like calculus while still considering music as his main career path and academics as a backup plan.

Photo : Danny Ventrella/NBC

Tae Lewis (2-CHAIR TURN)

Age: 31

Hometown: Goldsboro, NC

Resident: Nashville, TN

Tae is no stranger to struggle. Deciding to go against his gospel upbringing and follow his country dreams, he ventured off to various cities trying to break out. Constantly getting denied for gigs, Tae says people were confused by a Black country artist. At one point, he found himself homeless and living out of his car for six months. However, his fortunes turned when he connected with the Black Opry and started to make a name for himself. He has gained recognition, appearing on CMT and securing a placement on the show “Shameless.” Tae has also found success as a shoe stylist, leveraging his love for vintage country fashion. He has since sold hundreds of cowboy boots and admittedly grown his collection. Coming from a family of pastors, Tae initially pursued gospel music but found a deep connection to country music. He hopes to impress his father and prove his success.

Photo : Danny Ventrella/NBC

Donny Van Slee (2-CHAIR TURN)

Age: 30

Hometown: Weeki Wachee, FL

Resident: Nashville, TN

Dr. Donny Van Slee is a chiropractor by day and a musician by night. While in school, participating in an internship, he made a pitstop in Nashville and fell in love with the music scene. He went out on a limb and emailed a few of the music venues in Nashville, remarkably landing a gig at Tootsies. He received his doctorate as a chiropractor and immediately relocated to Nashville to participate in Tootsies’ “Honky Tonk School.” Three years later, he’s still in Nashville, balancing music and chiropractic. Five days a week, he’s caring for nearly 50 patients daily, then he’s downtown gigging at night. In February, he released his debut album, “31.”His major goals are to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and Red Rocks Amphitheater. Donny feels lucky to have his family in Florida supporting his music journey every step of the way.

Photo : Danny Ventrella/NBC

Josh Sanders (2-CHAIR TURN)

Age: 35

Hometown: Kannapolis, NC

Resident: Landis, NC

Josh grew up in a family of musicians and started playing bass guitar as a child in the church band. Learning the guitar shortly after in his teenage years, he had the opportunity to join a band called Smokin” In his late teens and early 20s, Josh played in several rock bands, on Rock Legends cruise ships and stages up and down the East Coast. In his 20s, Josh decided to leave the rockstar lifestyle behind and settle down with his wife, Kendra, whom he has known since they were neighbors at 5 years old. After having three daughters, they had a son, Leelynd, who they tragically lost the day he was born. They have been blessed with another daughter, completing their family of 7. After the loss of their son, Josh leaned into music and the church he pastors to find healing and purpose. When Josh isn’t with all his girls, you will find him hunting or helping around Kendra’s grandmother’s farm.

Photo : Danny Ventrella/NBC

Alyssa Crosby (1-CHAIR TURN)

Age: 32

Hometown: Binghamton, NY

Resident: Binghamton, NY

Alyssa is a self-proclaimed cat lady. When Alyssa is not performing on stage, you can usually find her at home with her fiancé, five cats and puppy. Alyssa loves to write songs and sometimes serenade her animals with her music. Having grown up around singers, Alyssa’s mother had a deep connection to music and started her own karaoke business when Alyssa was just a kid. Alyssa enjoyed karaoke throughout most of her life, and when she was in her early 20s decided to start a band. Putting out an ad on Craigslist for more band members was just the start of her current band, WildCard. All the other band members are men in their 50s, but she enjoys holding her own as the only woman on the stage.

Photo : Danny Ventrella/NBC

Ashley Bryant (1-CHAIR TURN)

AGE: 26

Hometown: Louisville, KY

Resident: Louisville, KY

Ashley’s life changed drastically in 2019 due to a tragic car accident, leaving her with hearing loss in her right ear. Despite the challenges, she persevered and relearned to sing with limited hearing. Ashley’s singing talent was initially hidden until she impressed everyone with a performance during a high school ceremony. She went on to pursue a career in the dental field while developing her singing skills through karaoke, competing in contests just about every weekend. After a decision to make a career change, she obtained her esthetician license and instead of karaoke nights, now plays gigs on the weekends.

Photo : Trae Patton/NBC

Who’s next?

Keep watching “The Voice” every Monday and Tuesday on NBC to see which aspiring artists join each of the four teams.

Dolly Parton celebrates the 50th anniversary of her 1974 hit I Will Always Love You: ‘It will always hold a special place in my heart’

Just after revealing that Beyonce may have recorded a cover of her 1973 song Jolene, Dolly Parton is celebrating her 1974 song I Will Always Love You.

The 78-year-old country legend took to Instagram on Monday, sharing a video montage of her performing the hit song, which debuted exactly 50 years ago.

The video showed her singing the hit song at various points throughout her illustrious career.

‘Happy 50th Anniversary to my song, “I Will Always Love you.” It will always hold a special place in my heart as I hope it does yours,’ she said in the caption.

Parton wrote the song in 1973, crafted as a farewell to her mentor and duet partner Porter Wagoner as she decided to forge a career as a solo artist.

The singer would later reveal that she wrote I Will Always Love You on the same day that she wrote Jolene.

The single was released on March 11, 1974, landing Parton the top spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs singles chart in June 1974.

She also topped the country singles charts in October 1982 when she re-recorded the song for the soundtrack of her film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Parton entered rarified air, earning a #1 single title with two different versions of the same song.

The singer famously also declined an opportunity for Elvis Presley to record a version of the song, since his manager – Colonel Tom Parker – insisted that Parton sign over half of the publishing rights to Presley, which she refused to do.

The song was catapulted into the stratsophere when Whitney Houston recorded a version of it for the soundtrack to her 1992 movie The Bodyguard.

Houston’s version has sold over 24 million copies worldwide, the highest-selling single by a female artist of all time.

It spent a then-record 14 straight weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts and won Grammys for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Parton also re-entered the charts in 1995 when she re-recorded the song as a duet with Vince Gill for her album Something Special.

Radio stations started playing the song after she performed with Gill at the Grand Ole Opry in August 1995 and it was officially released as a single in November 1995.

The duet version debuted on the country charts at #53 and peaked at #15 after its release.

The song has also been covered by a litany of singers including Sarah Washington, Rik Waller and Kristen Chenoweth.

The Voice: Reba McEntire gets three-chair turn Elyscia Jefferson after funky rendition of P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson

Reba McEntire was ecstatic when she beat out the other coaches to gain talented singer Elyscia Jefferson for her team on Monday’s episode of The Voice on NBC.

‘You inspire me,’ Reba, 68, said. ‘You are incredibly talented and I would love to work with you.’

Elyscia, 20, from Baltimore, Maryland, closed the two-hour episode with her funky performance of P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson and almost got a four-chair turn.

All the coaches turned except for John Legend, 45, as the Blind Auditions continued.

‘What a voice,’ said Dan Smyers, 36, of Dan + Shay.

‘Amazing,’ Chance the Rapper, 30, said.

‘Way to go!’ Reba said.

‘Everyone was having fun,’ Dan said. ‘The crowd was having fun. That’s contagious.’

‘This is really hard because I love all of you guys but I’m going to Team Reba,’ Elyscia said.

Reba ran to the stage and hugged her and told her that she was thrilled to pieces.

‘Oh yeah that was a good one,’ Reba said.

The show opened with a performance by the coaches dressed in white singing Put a Little Love in Your Heart backed by a choir.

Ronnie Wilson, 28, an accountant from Atlanta, was the first contestant on night five of the Blind Auditions. Being Black, gay and growing up in the South, he said he hoped by coming on the show that he could inspire others to be their authentic selves.

‘I’m just going to leave it all on the stage,’ Ronnie said.

He then performed Pillowtalk by Zayn Malik and even had the coaches dancing along by the end. John pushed his buzzer for him almost from the start followed by Reba.

John was telling him about how he also used to be on the business side of things when Reba pretended to make a phone call to Keith Urban asking if he would pick her as his coach.

‘I’ve been in the business for going on 50 years now, so I think I could help you to embellish, not change, because you are absolutely wonderful,’ Reba said.

John said he also wanted to be his coach. Ronnie ended up picking John.

‘I think he is going to do so well on the show,’ John said.

Zoe Levert, 20, a college student from New Orleans, put on an emotional rendition of Taylor Swift’s Better Man (Taylor’s Version). She said she was a major Swifty.

‘Seeing a Taylor Swift song on that stage is a dream,’ Zoe said. ‘I hope I do it justice.’

John was the only coach her turned around. Zoe then told Dan + Shay that she was getting married next year and their first song was going to be their dance song From the Ground Up. Dan + Shay then told her to bring her fiancé out and they got a guitar and sang the song to them. Zoe danced with her fiancé while Dan + Shay sang to them.

‘Congratulations on your upcoming marriage,’ Reba said. ‘That was so sweet of you guys!’

‘I’m so happy you got to be serenaded by these amazing artists over here,’ John said.

Ducote Talmage, 20, from Auburn, Alabama, blew the coaches away with his powerful performance of Morgan Wallen’s Sand In My Boots. Dan +Shay, and John Legend both turned around and sang along in parts to the song. John said he loved his voice and thought he would be a great coach for him.

‘Do you want to do something renegade, revolutionary, and join Team Legend,’ John said.

Shay said the song was by their good friend Morgan Wallen. Dan + Shay said he would help him finish his unwritten song and that he would be a standout for their team.

‘You got a lot of power to your voice,’ Dan said.

Chance said he didn’t turn because of his pitch problems. Ducote eventually picked Dan + Shay as his coaches.

JJ Higgins, 46, originally from Tampa, shared that had had a son with his wife that lived for only a month and they had to make the tough decision to let him go. He said later his wife got pregnant again with their ‘miracle’ child. JJ took the stage and sang the Kenny Loggins song Return to Pooh Corner. Unfortunately none of the coaches turned.

‘You should be proud of the man that you are,’ Shay said.

‘JJ brought a very special story to the Voice,’ Reba said.

Serenity Arce, a 16-year-old high school student from Jupiter, Florida, got herself a four-chair turn singing This City by Sam Fisher. Dan + Shay were not happy when they turned around to see they had been blocked. Serenity performed on season 21 of the show when she was just 14-years-old but then none of the judges turned around.

‘Four chairs!’ John said.

John told her that she looked familiar and was so proud of her for coming back.

‘Whoever blocked us it’s rude and I think it’s mean, but I take it as a compliment,’ Shay said.

‘Take it as a complement, Serenity,’ John said. ‘You made me block someone for you.’

Chance told her that she was amazing. Chance said he would have turned around two years ago for her.

‘I think I’m going to have to go with Chance,’ Serenity said.

‘Big mistake,’ John said. ‘Well done, Chance. Well done.’

Emma Valentine, 20, from Santa Cruz, California took the stage and sang Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) by Edison Lighthouse. None of the coaches turned around. Reba thanked her for coming on the show.

Ryan Coleman, 25, a farmer from Chalfont, Pennsylvania, moved Dan + Shay with his energetic version of Bill Withers’ hit Ain’t No Sunshine. Before he took the stage, he said his life changed when he ended up flipping his truck and spending a lot of time in the hospital recovering.

‘This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m taking advantage of it,’ Ryan said.

Dan + Shay turned their chairs. Reba told him that she liked his tone. Shay welcomed him to their team and said he loved his tone.

‘Man I’m so excited to get to work with you,’ Shay said.

Reba then picked up Zeya Rae who sang Billie Eilish’s Bellyache for her team.

‘I loved your voice!’ Reba said.

Native American singer AJ Harvey, 25, from Norman, Oklahoma, gave an emotional and soulful performance of Bob Dylan’s Girl From the North Country that had Chance and Dan + Shay spinning their chairs around.

‘You have a lovely, lovely voice,’ John said.

‘That was a truly great performance,’ Dan said.

‘I love the song selection that felt very you,’ Shay said.

Chance then hit a ‘pick Chance’ button.

‘You got to get down with Team Chance,’ Chance said.

‘We’re going to go Dan + Shay,’ AJ said.

Chance told him that he would steal him later.

Moelle, 29, from New Orleans said she grew up singing and dancing and has a residency at a Los Angeles supper club. She sang Lady Gaga’s Always Remember Us This Way but none of the coaches turned.

The Voice will return Tuesday on NBC.

This Old Beatles Interview Was An Eerie Predictor Of John Lennon’s Future

Did John Lennon always know that his time on the earth was limited? Many signs point to yes.

Highlights

The Beatles became pioneers in the music genre through their use of new sounds and fusion of different types of music, catapulting them into superstardom.
John Lennon was aware he had a limited time on earth and made references to his mortality in interviews and songs, leading many to wonder if he knew his own fate.
The Beatles faced controversies during their career, including Lennon’s comments about the band’s popularity compared to Jesus and the belief that their song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” was about LSD.

The Beatles are perhaps the most iconic band of all time. While they initially began as just another rock band, over the years they became pioneers in the genre with their use of new sounds and the merging of different types of music that others would not think of fusing together. That, in conjunction with their catchy and touching lyrics, such as with Yesterday, which made the band over $30 million alone, helped to catapult The Beatles from just four young men from Liverpool into superstars and now the legends they are known or remembered as today.

While The Beatles wrote many catchy upbeat songs, they were also known for writing somber ones as well. The songs that tended to be on the sadder side could also be semi-morose, but this was not necessarily understood until John Lennon’s death and fans began to listen to the band’s music in a different light. Those songs, in conjunction with an old Beatles interview that was seen as an eerie predictor of Lennon’s future, led many to wonder if Lennon knew that he was living on borrowed time.

Over the years, those close to Lennon have come forward, claiming that Lennon was aware he was only going to be on the earth for a short time.

“I won’t be here when I’m 40,” Lennon said to The Beatles secretary, Freda Kelly. “I won’t make 40.”

This was not a statement Lennon, who was not a fan of his voice, only said once. It was a constant feeling he had. This could perhaps explain why he chose to make mention of it via jokes with interviewers or in songs he wrote that would not become clear to fans until after his passing.

The Beatles Were Both Iconic And Controversial During Their Time

As iconic as The Beatles were when they were in their heyday, they also found themselves in the middle of controversy from time to time. While he was not always to blame for the controversy, Lennon was the catalyst for a good portion of it, including his comments about The Beatles’ popularity and fame and their relation to Christianity.

“Christianity will go,” Lennon said during a press conference. “It will vanish and shrink….We’re more popular than Jesus now.”

While the interview covered a broad range of subjects, the media grabbed onto Lennon saying The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus.” This led to religious groups banning The Beatles and even burning their records.

This led Lennon to apologize for his comments, not wanting to have “created another little piece of hate in the world.”

“I’m not anti-God, anti-Christ or anti-religion. I was not saying we are greater or better,” Lennon said, according to History.

“I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I’m sorry I said it, really. I never meant it to be a lousy anti-religious thing. From what I’ve read, or observed, Christianity just seems to be shrinking, to be losing contact.”

Another controversy that The Beatles dealt with was the media belief that Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds was about LSD, a notion that Lennon tried to deny by stating the song was inspired by his son Julian’s friend Lucy. However, the media did not buy it, the BBC banned the song from the airwaves, and years later, Paul McCartney admitted it was, in fact, about LSD.

While these and a few other controversies did not appear to hamper The Beatles’ fame, there was always a cloud that appeared to hang over Lennon’s head that had to do with his mortality. This was seen in a few different interviews, including one where Lennon predicted his own demise.

In An Old Interview, John Lennon Essentially Predicted His Own Demise

Lennon was never one to beat around the bush when it came to interviews. He also appeared to be clairvoyant in several interviews over the years where he talked about getting shot.

This is exactly what happened during a 1964 interview, just as The Beatles were becoming international superstars—a comment that was laughed off at the time, but in retrospect is anything but funny.

“You say that you’re very attentive, ” an interviewer stated. “You can see what’s going on and I noticed that behind you in the car that you could sort of follow everything that was going on with people with different posters. You’re really looking at the people.”

“Yeah, sure,” Lennon said.

The interviewer went on to say, “You’re very aware of everything around you.”

“I think you’ve got to be,” Lennon explained. “You know, you might get shot.”

Lennon laughed off this comment during the interview and those at the press conference thought nothing about what Lennon had said.

But between this and a few other interviews where Lennon references death, guns, or shootings, and songs that appear to have lyrics about Lennon’s untimely passing, many believe that Lennon knew what was going to happen to him many years before he was ultimately shot by Mark David Chapman.

Fans Found Other ‘Hints’ Of John’s Eventual Passing

The interview from nearly 60 years ago is hard to watch, knowing the way that Lennon ultimately passed. However, in the years since his death, astute fans were able to pick up on songs or lyrics that referenced Lennon’s death as well.

“And he also sang Happiness is a Warm Gun!!,” one YouTube fan stated. “Then that lunatic shoots him!! The irony of it all!! RIP John!!!”

Another user said, “And the beginning of Come Together, ‘Shoot me’.”

These are not the only references that fans have found over the years of instances of Lennon having knowledge that he would be shot. Other songs The Beatles released have moments sprinkled through them that, at times, only those with the keenest of ears would catch.

Perhaps the most prolific of them all, however, is a song released after Lennon’s death called Borrowed Time. In the song, the lyric, “Living on borrowed time without a thought for tomorrow” is sung.

This falls in line with what others claim Lennon told them throughout his professional life, recognizing that he was not going to reach an old age. If this is indeed the case, perhaps this is what fueled Lennon to become the musician he was but what a terrible cloud to have hanging overhead for a lifetime, albeit a short one.

Did The Beatles Consider Continuing On Without John Lennon?

Paul McCartney didn’t want to continue with The Beatles after John Lenon split from the band for a very valid reason.

Highlights

The Beatles became one of the best-selling music acts of all time, but their success didn’t last long as they quickly split after John Lennon quit the band.
Lennon’s departure from the band was influenced by money issues, the death of their former manager, and creative issues with his bandmates, particularly due to his relationship with Yoko Ono, which created a rift.
Paul McCartney chose not to continue with The Beatles after Lennon’s departure as the emotional pain and exhaustion from the breakup made it impossible for the band to carry on. McCartney also underestimated the songwriting abilities of George Harrison, who later wrote some of the greatest songs ever.

The Beatles are one of the biggest rock bands of all time. With 12 studio albums, 5 live albums, 51 compilation albums, 36 extended plays (EPs), and 63 singles, many of which became massive hits. In fact, the Beatles are considered the best-selling music act of all time, with estimated sales of over 600 million records across the world. Despite their success, The Beatles didn’t stick together for long.

After John Lennon quit the band, The Beatles quickly separated. All four members of The Beatles went on to have successful careers as solo artists afterward. But did the remaining members of the band ever consider continuing without Lennon? Well, in a recent interview, Paul McCartney revealed why he never attempted to keep The Beatles going after Lennon’s departure.

Why Did John Lennon Split From The Beatles?

John Lennon split from The Beatles in 1969, when the band was still at the peak of their career. However, Lennon’s departure wasn’t made public at the time since the band still had to release their album Abbey Road later that year. Even though it became their highest-grossing album of all time, Lennon maintained his decision and left the band.

At the time, Lennon quoted money issues, their former manager’s death, and creative issues with his bandmates as the cause for his split from the Beatles. However, years later, Paul McCartney revealed that Lennon’s relationship with Yoko Ono played a huge role in the band’s ultimate break up.

“[She was] an interference in the workplace,” Paul revealed on his podcast, McCartney: A Life in Lyrics. “We had a way we worked. The four of us worked with George Martin, an engineer, and that was basically it. And we’d always done it like that.”

McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr believed that Yoko was interfering with their creative process. Ultimately, this created a huge rift between the band members.

Related: John Lennon Felt As Though Two Members Of The Beatles Were Completely Unnecessary

A year after Lennon quit the band, McCartney filed for the dissolution of The Beatles’ contractual partnership. However, this decision was met with legal difficulties and internal fights, including McCartney suing his bandmates. Because of this, the band couldn’t dissolve their contract until 1974.

Paul McCartney Was “Hurting Too Much” To Continue With The Beatles After John Lennon Quit

The Beatles disbanded shortly after John Lennon quit the band. Given that they were still fairly popular, it would have made sense for the band to continue on without one of its members. So, why didn’t they do it?

In a recent interview for The Howard Stern Show, Paul McCartney finally revealed why he didn’t try to keep the Beatles going after Lennon’s departure from the band. “The thing is, Howard, that’s like a family. When families break up, it’s to do with the emotion and the emotional pain,” McCartney admitted. “You’re hurting too much, and so it wasn’t going to happen. We’d been through too much and I think we were just fed up with the whole thing.” In fact, Lennon’s exit from the Beatles was so emotionally draining that McCartney considered quitting music altogether after The Beatles split up.

During the interview, McCartney admitted that he didn’t continue with the band partly because he underestimated his remaining bandmates, thinking that they wouldn’t be as successful without Lennon’s ability to make music.

“It was easy to underestimate George because me and John, like you said, had always written most of the stuff and it had most of the singles,” McCartney explained. “George was a late bloomer, as far as writing was concerned. He wasn’t that interested in the beginning. But then he started to get interested — and boy did he bloom. He wrote some of the greatest songs ever.”

Did Ringo Starr And George Harrison Agree With Paul McCartney’s Decision Not To Continue With The Beatles?

Paul McCartney made no attempt to continue The Beatles’ legacy after John Lennon quit the band, but what about George Harrison or Ringo Starr? Well, it seems that neither of them wanted to go on with The Beatles, given that both Harrison and Starr had quit the band before Lennon’s ultimate departure.

In Get Back, Disney+’s documentary about how The Beatles’ creative process to create their last album, Let It Be, George Harrison is seeing leaving the recording studio and saying “I’m leaving the band now.”

As the guitarist revealed in The Beatles Anthology, a previous documentary about the band, this wasn’t the first instance of a member taking a break from The Beatles. “Everybody had gone through that. Ringo had left at one point. I know John wanted out. It was a very, very difficult, stressful time, and being filmed having a row as well was terrible. I got up and I thought, ‘I’m not doing this any more. I’m out of here,’” Harrison explained.

Ringo Starr also opened up about why he temporarily quit the group in 1968 in this documentary. “I left because I felt two things: I felt I wasn’t playing great, and I also felt that the other three were really happy and I was an outsider… I went to see John… I said, ‘I’m leaving the group because I’m not playing well and I feel unloved and out of it, and you three are really close.’”

A Heartbreaking Dream Inspired Paul McCartney’s “Let It Be”

Beatles legend Paul McCartney got the inspiration for one of his most iconic compositions from a deeply personal dream.

Highlights

“Let It Be” is one of the Beatles’ most beloved songs.
The song was inspired by a dream in which Paul McCartney’s late mother appeared.
The legacy of “Let It Be” includes its success as a chart-topping hit.

Music legend Paul McCartney wrote one of his most commercially and critically acclaimed compositions in a turbulent time for his iconic band, the Beatles. In fact, “Let It Be” would be one of the last songs McCartney ever wrote as a Beatle.

“Let It Be” has become one of the Beatles’ most recognized and beloved songs. People around the world of all ages know the chorus and melody to it. More so, the song is perhaps McCartney’s most personal work. McCartney, whose artistry and songwriting ability is unquestioned, looked to a heartbreaking dream for inspiration as he penned the 1970 track.

What Inspired Paul McCartney To Write “Let It Be”?

During the height of the Beatles’ popularity, the band was at their creative peak. They emphasized more time in the studio experimenting with musicality, rather than touring. Unfortunately, relationship issues began to emerge for Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison in the mid to late 1960s, which ultimately led to the Beatles’ disbandment.

While McCartney always focused on his work and creating incredible music, he was also stressed and frustrated. The challenges that come with worldwide fame only added to McCartney’s mental state. According to a Carpool Karaoke episode, McCartney revealed that his late mother appeared to him in a dream to comfort him in his time of distress. In the dream, she gave her son solid advice: “just let it be.”

According to Women Working, this dream was particularly meaningful to McCartney since he lost his mom as a teenager. His mom never got to seem him grow up or celebrate his success as a singer and musician.

McCartney got to experience his mother’s love again and hear her warm words of guidance and encouragement. This had a profound impact on McCartney, and inspired him to write “Let It Be” during The Beatles’ complicated “White Album” sessions.

Interestingly, McCartney’s mother’s name was Mary McCartney.

Fans have often wondered if this is why the phrase “Mother Mary” is included in the song
Others believe “Mother Mary” is in reference to the Virgin Mary of the Catholic and Christian tradition

What Is “Let It Be”‘s Legacy?

“Let It Be” eventually served as the title track on The Beatles’s final album, which was released in March 1970. The song went to number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two on the U.K. Singles chart. According to Billboard, the “Let It Be” album returned to the Billboard charts in 2021, after a special re-release.

While “Let It Be” became beloved by fans, it was not a hit with fellow Beatle, John Lennon. Lennon actually loathed the song because he did not think it artistically suited the Beatles. Though Lennon hated “Let It Be” and had nothing to do with its composition, the track was still credited to both Lennon and McCartney.

Two different versions of “Let It Be” exist:

Phil Spector produced the album version of the song, which featured a stronger orchestra and guitar mix
George Martin, the Beatles’s long term collaborator, produced the single version, which had a lighter guitar and orchestra mix

Spector also produced an elaborate version of “The Long and Winding Road”, featured on the “Let It Be” album, which was criticized by McCartney. According to Song Facts, McCartney hated Spector’s production on the track and thought the orchestra mix was too strong. Lennon and Harrison often favored Spector’s production style, while McCartney sought full creative control on his work.

McCartney’s disapproval of later Beatles tracks only escalated the Beatles’ difficulties. While “Let It Be” is a legendary track, some fans and historians believe it and its accompanying album played a role in the Beatles’s disbandment. Lennon also had creative differences with Harrison in the past that almost ruined their professional and personal relationships. According to History, all the Beatles were exploring solo projects by early 1970 and McCartney officially announced the group’s breakup on April 10th.

Both Lennon and Harrison would eventually record solo albums with Spector named as a producer.

John Lennon

“John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band” (December 1970)
“Imagine” (September 1971)
“Sometime in New York City” (June 1972)
“Rock ‘n’ Roll” (February 1975)

 

George Harrison

All Things Must Pass (November 1970)
The Concert for Bangladesh (December 1971)

 

Was There A “Let It Be” Film?

The original “Let It Be” documentary was released in May 1970. The film, which was raw in nature, showed some of the Beatles’s complicated relationships during the album’s production. In turn, the film received criticism from Beatles members and fans had mixed emotions about how it represented the Beatles in their final months together as a band.

Due to the film’s controversies, it has not been officially released as a DVD, Blu-ray, or been made available on streaming. Footage taken for the “Let It Be” documentary was later used for Peter Jackson’s The Beatles: Get Back documentary series.

Jackson’s multi part documentary, which also covered the creation of the “Let It Be” album, gave fans a new perspective about the sessions
Was released on Disney+ in November 2021
Has received critical and commercial acclaim and has been praised by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr

While the original documentary was more gloomy in nature, Jackson discovered and utilized footage that showed that the process recording “Let It Be” was not as negative as it was thought to be. According to The Sunday Times, The Beatles: Get Back made McCartney himself remember the good times when creating the “Let It Be” album.

Jackson’s documentary series has allowed Starr and McCartney to reminisce about the “Let It Be” sessions and what led to the Beatles’ breakup. According to People, Starr told fans that “I think you see the joy… We found 56 hours of unused footage mainly filled with laughter.” Even though challenges emerged between the Beatles’ four members, they still had fun together as they collaborated creatively. Each Beatle had something to contribute to the band’s success and their partnership is one of the most successful in entertainment history.