Whoever's in New England
Whoever's in New England is the tenth studio album of American country music artist Reba McEntire released on February 10, 1986, through MCA Nashville. It is her first #1 album on the Billboard country albums chart, producing two singles that were #1 country hits: "Whoever's in New England" and "Little Rock".
The album's phenomenal success proved to be a turning point in McEntire's career. It was the singer's first platinum record, and solidified her new superstardom when she was named the 'Entertainer of the Year' by the Country Music Association in autumn 1986.
The album also marked another milestone, McEntire made her first music video for the title track. Eventually, McEntire would become known for her 'mini-movie'-styled music videos.
"I've Seen Better Days" was originally recorded as a duet by George Jones & Tammy Wynette on their 1976 album, Golden Ring.
Promotion
Singles
The title track "Whoever's in New England" served as the album's lead single and was released on January 27, 1986. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart. "Whoever's in New England" was McEntire's first music video, is considered as one of her signature and breakthrough singles, and she won her first Grammy for it."Little Rock" was released as the second single on June 2, 1986. It peaked at number 1 the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
Personnel
Vocals- Reba McEntire – lead and backing vocals
- Pake McEntire – backing vocals
- Karen Staley – backing vocals
- Matt Betton – drums
- Randy "Snuffy" Elmore – fiddle
- Johnny Gimble – fiddle
- John Hobbs – pianos, keyboards
- David Hungate – bass guitar
- Weldon Myrick – steel guitar
- Leigh Reynolds – acoustic guitar
- Billy Joe Walker Jr. – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
- Reggie Young – electric guitar
- Chuck Ainlay – mixing
- Jimmy Bowen – producer
- Bob Bullock – overdub recording
- Mark J. Coddington – second engineer
- Chip Hardy – overdub recording
- Russ Martin – second engineer
- Reba McEntire – producer
- Glenn Meadows – mastering
- Keith Odle – second engineer
- Robbie Rose – second engineer
- Ron Treat – recording engineer
- Camille Brown – design
- Simon Levy – art direction
- Jim McGuire – photography
- The Castle – mixing location
- Masterfonics – mastering location