Reba McEntire to Release Christian Album

Reba McEntire prepares to release Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope on February 3, 2017. For an entertainer with an illustrious career that has elicited 35 No. 1 singles, over 56 million albums sold worldwide, prestigious industry awards, lead acting roles and brand endeavors, new is a rarity - yet an art form she has perfected.

From the set of her forthcoming music video for "Back To God," Reba revealed details about her influences, upbringing and lifelong help from her guardian angels that lead to this collection. The double-disc project highlights traditional hymns of "faith" throughout the first 10 songs while more contemporary tracks of "hope" round out the back half.

"SING IT NOW was the perfect title for this album because the message and melody throughout the song connects the dots between the traditional hymns I grew up on and new music that has been uplifting for me in challenging times," said Reba.

Reba let her heart and friends help guide the song selection, which includes the first tune she ever sang in public, "Jesus Loves Me," a former Reba co-star's suggestion of "Oh Happy Day" and an introduction from a close associate to "From The Inside Out." She collaborated with Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood on "Softly and Tenderly".  Reba co-produced the album with Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts in his home studio and Doug Sisemore.

"Music conjures up great memories and goes hand and hand with us McEntires," said Reba. "Mama, Susie and Alice even came into the studio with me to record 'I'll Fly Away,' all of us gathered around an old hymnal straight from the Chockie church."

‘The Passion’ Ratings Down 42% From ‘Grease Live’

Fox aired the semi-live The Passion musical on Palm Sunday featuring a 20-foot glowing cross being carried through the streets of New Orleans. Facing a full schedule from its network rivals plus The Walking Dead on cable, The Passion experienced a 42% decline from January 31’s Grease Live and set a low for network live musicals.

Fox’s second live musical event of the year so far, the drama of the last hours of Jesus had pre-taped segments, Tyler Perry as narrator, Trisha Yearwood as Mary, Seal as Pontius Pilate singing “We Don’t Need Another Hero” from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and Tears For Fears’ “Mad World”,  Chris Daughtry as Judas, and Telenovela’s Jencarlos Canela as Jesus. 

The program was also 46% lower than NBC's December 3, 2015 broadcast of The Wiz Live! However, that show as up 34% from Peter Pan Live which aired December 4, 2014.  Both were down from the Carrie Underwood-led Sound of Music Live! which aired December 5, 2013.

Despite the infusion of contemporary music and Perry’s following among young viewers, the special was older-skewing compared to the other live musicals.

Fox finished Sunday tied with NBC and CBS for No.1 in adults 18-49. 

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