Reba McEntire marked four decades on the Grand Ole Opry stage with a gift only she could love: 40 corn dogs arranged like flowers.
At a Glance
- The 70-year-old singer was surprised with 40 corn dogs on Jan. 16 backstage at the Opry
- Terri Clark presented the edible bouquet alongside a 40th-anniversary cake
- McEntire’s love of corn dogs is long-documented on social media and in interviews
- Why it matters: The quirky tribute highlights the personal bond between the country icon and the Opry family
McEntire shared the moment in an Instagram Reel posted Jan. 21, showing Clark, 57, carrying the stick-heavy bouquet through a crowd of well-wishers.
“On behalf of the Opry, Reba, this is your 40th anniversary gift, and I’m happy to give it to you,” Clark announced.
“Because you want part of it,” McEntire shot back with a grin.
“Yes, I do. That’s it. That’s it,” Clark laughed.
The short clip also captured McEntire introducing friend Suzy Bogguss as the newest Opry member and a group performance of her 1994 hit “Why Haven’t I Heard from You?” alongside Trisha Yearwood, Kathy Mattea, Clark and Bogguss.
“A night I’ll never forget,” McEntire wrote. “Thank you, @opry! I love you to pieces. Now I’m going to need my girls to come back over and help me finish these corn dogs….”
Corn Dog Obsession Goes Public
McEntire’s fondness for the fair staple is no secret.
- August 2015: Posted a Facebook photo eating a corn dog on a plane after the Mississippi Valley Fair
- 2018: Shared an Instagram shot of a ketchup-and-mustard-covered corn dog mid-flight, tagged #welovecorndogs
- May 2025: Told Variety she mixes both condiments “because it’s real good”
The singer told the magazine she enjoys the treat on private jets and never stops at just one.
A 40-Year Milestone
McEntire became an Opry member on January 17, 1986, and has since performed hundreds of times on the Nashville stage. The 40th-anniversary show doubled as a celebration of her influence on generations of country performers.
Backstage, McEntire thanked staff and fellow artists.
“I have wonderful memories at the Grand Ole Opry,” she said. “Thank y’all for this.”
The corn dog bouquet now rivals the Opry’s more traditional plaques and trophies as perhaps its most talked-about honor.
Key Takeaways
- McEntire’s 40-year Opry membership was celebrated with a personal nod to her favorite snack
- The moment reinforced the family atmosphere the Opry prides itself on
- Expect corn dog sales in Nashville to spike
