Reba McEntire Debuts New Song 'One Night in Tulsa' at Oklahoma Bar

The country music icon surprised a small-town crowd with her first new single in years.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:05am

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An abstract close-up photograph featuring shimmering, high-contrast textures like sequins and velvet, capturing the glamour and excitement of Reba McEntire's surprise performance of a new song at her Oklahoma restaurant.Reba McEntire's surprise performance of her new song 'One Night in Tulsa' at her Atoka, Oklahoma restaurant evoked the glitz and energy of her decades-long country music career.Tuttle Today

Country music legend Reba McEntire surprised a crowd of roughly 200 fans at her restaurant 'Reba's Place' in Atoka, Oklahoma by debuting her new song 'One Night in Tulsa'. The spontaneous performance took place on April 9th, with McEntire telling the excited audience 'Since we are doing a show 'One Night in Atoka,' why don't we do a song that's called 'One Night in Tulsa'?' Fans had driven from across the region for a chance to see the 71-year-old singer perform, with some even entering a lottery for one of the limited tickets.

Why it matters

Reba McEntire is considered a trailblazer for women in country music, paving the way for the next generation of female artists. Her surprise performance of a new song in her hometown of Atoka, Oklahoma highlights her enduring popularity and connection to her roots, as well as the impact she's had on aspiring country singers like opening act Jordan Rainer.

The details

McEntire opened the show by telling the crowd 'We have some new music we want to spring on y'all.' As the violin cried and the piano pulsed, she launched into the first performance of 'One Night in Tulsa', a song she discovered after hearing a young songwriter's demo. The intimate setting allowed fans to get up close and personal with the country icon, with some even managing to meet her and get autographs before the show. McEntire also highlighted the work of her restaurant's chef Kurtess Mortensen, crediting him for the venue's success.

  • On April 9, 2026, Reba McEntire debuted her new song 'One Night in Tulsa' at her restaurant 'Reba's Place' in Atoka, Oklahoma.
  • In late March 2026, the restaurant announced free tickets to watch McEntire sing, with over 35,000 entries pouring in from four eligible states.

The players

Reba McEntire

A 71-year-old country music icon and the owner of 'Reba's Place' restaurant in Atoka, Oklahoma, where she surprised fans with the debut performance of her new song 'One Night in Tulsa'.

Jordan Rainer

The opening act for McEntire's show, who grew up knowing about the country star and was inspired by her trailblazing career as a woman in the male-dominated country music industry.

Kurtess Mortensen

The chef at 'Reba's Place' restaurant, whom McEntire credited for the venue's success and the quality of the food, including her favorite desserts like banana pudding and strawberry cake.

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What they’re saying

“Because we weren't in any of the four states, I asked, 'Hey, this is probably a really good chance, Mikayla, for you to finally meet Reba. Do you want to go?' And she's like, 'Yes, I want to go.' So we got here this morning.”

— Mike Hoult, Father of fan Mikayla Hoult

“Reba is the perfect example of it can be done, not just as an Atoka woman, but as a woman in country music which has been male-dominated for a long time. Reba was one of the trailblazers that made it easier for people like me to come along.”

— Jordan Rainer, Opening act

What’s next

McEntire has no plans to open additional 'Reba's Place' restaurants in the near future, stating that the Atoka location is a 'heritage thing' connected to her roots in the area.

The takeaway

Reba McEntire's surprise performance of her new song 'One Night in Tulsa' at her Atoka, Oklahoma restaurant showcases her enduring popularity and connection to her hometown, as well as her role as a trailblazer for women in country music who has inspired the next generation of artists.