Charlie Battles Was Reba McEntire's First Husband – They Had a 10-Year Age Difference

Charlie Battles was Reba McEntire's first husband and stood by her before Hollywood came calling. Sadly, their once-sweet relationship soured, with Reba pouring her heartbreak into a soulful "divorce" album.

Charlie Battles, who passed away in 2013, knew that his ex-wife Reba McEntire's first love was riding horses and engaging in rodeo events in their small town long before she became famous for her music, television shows, and movies.

However, their relationship changed after marriage, leading to their split. Even though they were no longer together, the famous musician remained connected with her late husband's family members.

Reba was born in 1955 in the small town of Chockie, Oklahoma. She grew up on a cattle ranch, and even though she became successful in music, her first love was barrel racing.

While she aspired to become a champion barrel racer, she struggled to excel in the sport. Meanwhile, Reba's father, Clark McEntire, expressed worry about Reba's talent in singing.

In 1974, when Reba was a student at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, her concerned father suggested to her that she should sing at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City instead of barrel racing, which he thought was a waste of her natural talents.

Reba followed her father's advice and ended up singing in a rodeo competition, unaware that her remarkable talent and appearance would catch the attention of renowned recording artist Red Steagall.

After hearing Reba's powerful voice, Steagall was so impressed that he recommended her to Polygram Mercury, ultimately securing a record deal that launched her successful music career.

Reba gave up her dream of becoming a rodeo rider after discovering her new career, but not her love life. Her love for Charlie Battles, a former steer-wrestling champion who had become divorced by the time they met, never faded. Reba said:

"I loved Charlie with all my heart, I wanted to marry him ... We had a lot of fun."

Charlie influenced Reba with memories of their shared rodeo and ranching experiences. They tied the knot in 1976 when Reba was 21 and Charlie Battles was 31.

Reba Chose Her Career over Her First Marriage with Charlie

Reba had to deal with many problems that tested her professionally and personally during her and Charlie's marriage. Even though Reba had won a Grammy by the end of the 1980s, she also lost her husband. She said:

"I guess I chose my career over my marriage."

After Charlie requested that Reba should slow down in her career, their relationship deteriorated. However, the career-oriented entertainer disregarded his suggestion and continued working at the same pace.

Consequently, after eleven years of marriage and sharing a ranch, she divorced Charlie and left him. In the summer of 1987, she declared she was in love and would eventually fall out of love with her first spouse.

However, Reba found a second chance at love. In 1989, Reba tied the knot with her second husband, Narvel Blackstock, a Texan musician, and former steel guitar player, who eventually became her tour manager.

Reba has three stepchildren with Narvel: Shawna, Chassidy, and Brandon Blackstock.

Reba and Narvel's wedding ceremony took place at Lake Tahoe. While the union with her second husband brought her happiness, her followers expressed disappointment in her romantic choices.

For fans, they found it inappropriate for Reba, known for her emphasis on family and domesticity, to go through a divorce. Despite the criticism, Reba empathized with her supporters' sentiments.

Reba acknowledged that despite disclosing much about her personal life, particularly her previous marriage, her admirers failed to comprehend her situation.

When the acclaimed songstress disclosed the end of her first marriage, she responded to as many inquiries as possible. She said her reasons were sincere and even asked her fans to trust her since it was her own business.

Reba Had a 'Divorce' Album after Her Separation from Charlie

Despite the disappointment of her fans over her first divorce, Reba channeled her emotions into her music by releasing the album "The Last One to Know" on September 7, 1987. She dedicated the album to her first husband.

The album was a poignant and powerful expression of the singer's feelings. Although Reba and Charlie had no children together, the song "What You Gonna Do About Me" addressed the issue of children in the context of their divorce.

Meanwhile, the other track, "The Stairs," chronicled the story of a woman trapped in an abusive relationship, even though Reba was not in an unhealthy relationship, as indicated in her lyrics.

However, the renowned musician appeared to have focused the latter track on the main reason for their divorce—her desire to pursue her career over her husband's preference for a domestic lifestyle.

Reba Was a Stepmom to Charlie's Sons

Like Reba, Charlie remarried another woman named Donna Granger, who stayed with him until his death in 2013 due to heart failure and complications from a stroke. Despite not having any children with Charlie, Reba was a proud stepmother to his two children, Coty and Lance Battles.

Even after the couple broke up in 1987, Reba stayed close to her stepsons. In fact, Coty was one of the veteran singer's first stepchildren, and she welcomed him into her home.

Before becoming a rancher, Coty, like his father, was involved in steer wrestling. Not much is known about Lance, but Reba also remained a supportive figure in his life.

Reba has three stepchildren with Narvel: Shawna, Chassidy, and Brandon Blackstock. Among Reba's three stepkids, Brandon gained fame for his marriage to former "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson.

Meanwhile, Reba and Narvel only have one biological son. His name is Shelby Blackstock, and he is a race car driver. Since 2012, he has competed in the US F2000 National Championship, the Pro Mazda Championship, and the Indy Lights.

Reba is pleased to refer to her stepchildren as her own, although she only has one biological child. Having all six of them has truly transformed her into an incredible mother and friend to all of them.