If Reba McEntire is giving life advice, you’d do well to listen. The country music legend—who’s sold millions of albums around the world, scored a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and won three Grammy Awards—told TODAY in 2023 that everyone needs “three bones” to succeed. And fans are still buzzing about it.
The “Three Bones” That Keep Her Going
During a TODAY interview, co-host Carson Daly brought up a memorable excerpt from Reba’s book Not That Fancy and asked her to break down the “three bones” everyone needs. Here’s what she said:
- “Wishbone, funny bone, and a backbone. Gotta have all three of those.” That, she explained, is “a little toolkit to have in life.” Daly chimed in—“a little toolkit”—and she couldn’t agree more.
- The wishbone? “You gotta have goals… I always have something to look forward to. I wish for things… once you say it out loud and get it out into the universe… your subconscious takes over.”
- The backbone is your drive—the grit and fortitude to see those goals through.
- And the funny bone? It’s the ability to laugh off the mishaps. “When things go wrong, you don’t want to drive yourself crazy,” she said. Instead, “don’t sweat the small stuff… just do better next time.”
- So, which bone is the most important? She told Hoda Kotb on TODAY in 2021: “Funny bone. You’ve got to have a funny bone—whether you’re messing up or doing great, laugh and move on.”
From Childhood Rules to Life Rules
Reba’s book also shares a glimpse into her Oklahoma childhood—growing up with siblings Alice, Pake, and Susie under their dad Clark McEntire’s gentle but firm rules. The takeaway? Balance work and play.
- Rule #1: Don’t play cards during the daytime.
- Rule #2: Don’t watch TV during the daytime.
- Rule #3: Don’t count your money in front of others.
As she writes: “The daytime was for work and the evenings were for fun.… We work hard and we play hard.”
What’s New with Reba (As of Mid-2025)
Reba’s not just dishing out wisdom—she’s busy as ever:
- On TV: She’s starring in and executive producing the NBC sitcom Happy’s Place, which was renewed for a second season in February 2025 Wikipedia.
- She’s also back as a coach on The Voice—returning for Season 28 in late 2025, after winning Season 25 back in 2023 CinemablendWikipedia.
- In May 2025, she hosted the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, bringing her signature charm to Prime Video viewers Wikipedia.
- She’s now the face of Realtor.com’s “Nearly Home” campaign, starring in a fun, sitcom-style ad called “The One Without the Break-Up”, blending her warmth, humor, and real estate enthusiasm New York PostMySA.
- On a personal note, she’s been cherishing quiet pauses in her day, whether grocery shopping or cooking—lessons she shared in a candid 2024 interview Glamour.
- And in a recent Variety cover story, she reflected on how her early rodeo and ranching roots taught her a work ethic that’s driven her music career all along People.
- Most poignantly, Dolly Parton recently offered heartfelt advice to Reba (and Kelly Clarkson) after the passing of Brandon Blackstock—Reba’s former stepson—encouraging them to lean on memories and the strength they carry forward EW.
Bottom Line
Reba’s “three bones” philosophy—wishbone, backbone, and funny bone—is a roadmap we can all follow. Add in her childhood rules (“work hard, play hard”), and it’s a winning formula for life.
And just when you think she might slow down, she goes and:
- Stars in an NBC sitcom (Happy’s Place),
- Coaches on The Voice,
- Hosts a major country music awards show,
- Fronts a Realtor.com campaign,
- Shares her wisdom with Dolly Parton-level candor,
- And keeps sprinkling joy into everyday moments.
That’s a toolkit worth adopting.
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