 McEntire 's sound has been influenced by the country music of Bob Wills , Merle Haggard , Dolly Parton , Barbara Mandrell , and Patsy Cline . In college , McEntire would attend local dances at the Oklahoma – Texas border so she could dance to Wills 's music , commenting that , " it didn 't get any better than dancing to Bob Wills music " . She also explained Merle Haggard 's influence on her career , stating " I had every album he ever put out " , and would sing " every song he did " , along with her brother , Pake and sister , Susie . In addition , her first major hit , " Sweet Dreams " was a remake of Patsy Cline 's version of the song , according to McEntire herself . McEntire 's music has been described to not only be built upon traditional country music , but also expand into the genres of Country pop , Mainstream pop , Soul , Adult Contemporary , and R & B. At times , her music has often been criticized for moving away from traditional country music . Many music critics have often called her music to be " melodramatic " , " formulaic " , and " bombastic " , particularly after her 1988 album , Reba . Studio releases such as Sweet Sixteen , Rumor Has It , It 's Your Call , and Starting Over have often been described by these terms . 
