The 'Strange' singer spills during an interview on 'I Miss…90s Country Radio With Nick Hoffman' the story behind her choosing Vince Gill over the 'Coward of the County' crooner for 'Heart Won't Lie'.
- Jun 15, 2021
AceShowbiz - Reba McEntire will always regret the way she handled the drama surrounding one of her first duets, choosing to record it with Vince Gill instead of first choice, Kenny Rogers.
Reba planned to record "Heart Won't Lie" with her pal Rogers, but cut the track with Gill - and didn't tell the late "Coward of the County" singer.
Talking to Apple Music's "I Miss...90s Country Radio With Nick Hoffman", McEntire says, "The keys just would not work. Then I took the song, and did the duet with Vince. I didn't tell Kenny, which was my mistake, totally."
The track was released as the second single from McEntire's "It's Your Call" album in February 1993, and gave her and Gill a number one.
"Kenny approached me at the CMA Awards," she reveals. "He said, 'Why did you do that?' I said, 'Kenny, I am so sorry. We were just going so fast. It's a great, wonderful song. I never even considered coming back and talking to you about that. And that's one of the things I totally regret.' I hugged his neck, and I told him I was terribly sorry. But I did not do that maliciously."
Reba was among the first stars to pay tribute to Rogers when he died in March 2020, writing, "Kenny, Go rest high on that mountain. Please tell mama and daddy hi for me. Thank you for your friendship and your love. We are going to miss you but we are so happy you're singing with the Angels in heaven. Can't wait to see you again one of these days. Rest in peace my friend."
