In October of 1975, I signed my first recording contract, signifying the beginning of my professional career. So, 20 years later, I thought it would be fun to record a collection of songs that either through the artist or song itself, have influenced me, and ultimately the music I record.

When Narvel and I first started talking about a classics album in 1994, the options were enormous. How far back did I go? Which type of music would I lean toward?

I decided to do “my favorites”, the ones I have loved forever!

So I refreshed my memory by going through books and finding #1 hits going back as far as 1962 and I got a lot of help from my Starstruck Family. Thanks to Cliff Williamson, Clay Meyers, and Sam Hogin for helping me look for songs; to Richard Barrow, for letting me look through his grandmother's collection of greatest hits albums; to Chris Ran for putting all my picks on cassette for me; and to Regina Bridwell for helping me keep it all straight.

At MCA, thanks to Renee White and Jessie Noble for all the scheduling. Again, it was a pleasure working with Tony “Tones” Brown. And it's always fun to watch Michael Omartian work with the orchestra and studio musicians. Thanks to all the musicians and signers. I love watching you all make your own music.

I had a blast signing with Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, and Linda Davis on “On My Own.” We'll have lots of fun with that. Thank you ladies for taking time out of your very busy schedule to sing with me.

I'm a big fan of Ray Price, Dolly Parton, Crystal Gayle, Eddy Arnold, Glen Campbell, Linda Ronstadt, The Supremes, Lee Greenwood, Bobby Bare, Patti LaBelle, Michael McDonald, and Dave Loggins. To have the opportunity to record songs that they have made famous is a thrill for me. I hope I have done them proud. Not only am I a fan of theirs, but also of the songs themselves. They inspired me to look harder and find better songs with each album I released. The kept me from stopping, from being satisfied. Because of them, I wanted to find that next classic and be able to put my name on it.

Twenty years from now, if any of my songs that I have sung are considered classics, it will be just like twenty years ago in the fact that the majority of the credit will go to the songwriters. So I thank them from the bottom of my heart for sharing their God given talent with all fo us.

Thanks to Sandi Spika for making me look me best, and to Cindy Owen for a super looking package for my 20th anniversary CD.

Narvel, you had a great idea as usual. Thanks for all you do. Your never ending perseverance never ceases to amaze me. And Shelby, I appreciate the fact that you “Keep Me Hangin' On.” I love you both with all my heart.

Thank You Lord for surrounding me with great people to work with. And for letting me find the right songs that hopefully always touch someones heart in some way. Thanks for always being there with me.

It's been a lot of fun getting reacquainted with these songs. I hope you enjoy them too.

Love,

Reba