Reba McEntire’s 70th Birthday Surprise from Son Shelby Left Her Speechless: ‘It’s My First Lie!’

Reba McEntire got an epic surprise for her 70th birthday. The country star spent the milestone day playing a show in Uncasville, Connecticut, where the crowd was more than happy to mark the occasion with a lively singalong.

What Reba didn’t know at the time, however, was that her son, Shelby Blackstock, daughter-in-law, Marissa Blackstock, and friend, Shane Tarleton, were part of that live audience.

The trio crafted a master plan to surprise Reba on her birthday by penning a Facebook post that claimed they were heading to Chicago for a baby shower. In reality, the group was en route to Uncasville. When they arrived, they donned matching “birthday crew” shirts and took in Reba’s concert from the audience.

Reba McEntire’s Son Pulls Off His Surprise

Reba didn’t spot her loved ones throughout the show, even as they recorded videos of the singer’s performance. In fact, Shelby, Marissa, and Shane didn’t make themselves known until Reba came backstage after the show. Once she walked into the green room, Reba was shocked and delighted to see the trio.

Shelby, Marissa, and Shane proceeded to sing Reba “Happy Birthday” as she stood by watching teary-eyed. After the song, Reba went over to hug her son, playfully berating him for being a liar.

“It’s my first lie!” Shelby insisted.

The celebratory night ended with a huge birthday cake and lots of love.

“She had NO idea we were coming!! Watch @reba reaction when @shelbyblackstock @shanetarleton and I surprised her for her 70th birthday at her show in CT!” Marissa wrote on Instagram. “The absolute sweetest moment—who else would cry if they got a surprise like this?!”

Reba McEntire Posts About Her 70th Birthday

In an Instagram post on her 70th birthday, Reba shared a baby photo of herself as well as a more recent pic alongside a lengthy caption.

“The first thing I thought of this morning was I’m so glad Mama feels better today than she did 70 years ago. I’m also glad she kept me,” Reba wrote. “I’m the third of four kids. In March of 1955, Alice was 3 and Pake was almost 2 years old. Being the rowdy mischievous kids they were, they had Mama so tired that when her water broke in the middle of the night, she changed her nightgown and went back to sleep!”

A post shared by Marissa Blackstock (@rissablackstock)

“When the labor pains got more intense, Daddy drove her to the hospital in McAlester,” she continued. “I was breach so the doctor had to turn me around and get me headed out in the right direction. I was a dry/breach birth with only gas to help Mama get through it. After all that, she kept me. So glad she did… Two and half years later, Susie was born and we became the Fearsome Foursome!!”

Reba noted that “God blessed me with the best family and the best aunts, uncles, and cousins a kid could ever wish for!”

“And what a life He’s given me,” she marveled. “Thank you to everyone who has wished and sang Happy Birthday to me last night and today. I love you with all my heart! You have made my life better, more fun and have enriched my life beyond my wildest imagination.”

“I’m so grateful and thankful to God and my Angels for continuing to guide, direct, protect, and give me my marching orders 🙂 And for putting each of you in my life,” Reba added. “70 years young 🙂 Thank you all for the birthday wishes.”