Reba McEntire talks rodeo, family at record-breaking breast cancer event
Pink is the Razzle Dazzle Luncheon’s signature color. Given that the event benefits the Memorial Hermann Bobetta Lindig Breast Care Center and is typically held in early October (aka Breast Cancer Awareness Month), it’s the perfect occasion — for both survivors, such as
Myrtle Jones, who wears the shade all month long, and supporters, including
Jo Lynn Falgout, who earmarked a blush Dolce & Gabbana tropical print for the outing — to rally in unison behind the optimistic hue.
To complement this year’s “in bloom” theme, floral dresses, accessories and centerpieces abounded. Which is why, upon first glance, co-chair Tony
Bradfield’s fluffy white robe seemed so out of place.
But there was special meaning behind Bradfield’s unusual outerwear choice. It’s the same robe that patients wear for their mammogram screenings. And after he toured the Bobetta Lindig Breast Care Center for the first time, staff members had one embroidered especially for him.
“Every man has been affected by breast cancer,” Bradfield told Razzle Dazzlegoers on Thursday.
When the Memorial Hermann Foundation asked him to serve as the luncheon’s inaugural male co-chair, he accepted — with a few conditions.
Breast cancer is an emotional topic in his family. Decades ago, on Bradfield’s 25th birthday, his mother lost her own battle with the disease at age 54 following a misdiagnosis. His aunt, however, recently celebrated her 35th anniversary as a breast cancer survivor.
So Bradfield knows better than most: Early detection saves lives.
That’s why he set an ambitious $1 million goal for the 10th annual Razzle Dazzle Luncheon. He also picked an auspicious date: Oct. 10 (the 10th day of the 10th month). And tapped an auspicious co-chair: Whitney Crane, whose husband, Jim Crane, owns the Astros.
Together, Bradfield and Crane breathed new life into the fundraiser. They moved it to the Post Oak Hotel at Uptown and enlisted a bold-faced guest speaker, Grammy Award winner Reba McEntire. A-list moves all around. A record 650 attendees purchased tickets and tables. Racks lined with Reba by Reba McEntire clothing filled the hotel’s lobby; and later, the guest of honor rocked merchandise from her label onstage.
Before all that, honoree Bobetta Lindig explained the meaning behind her blue — not pink! — blazer. She wanted to raise awareness for male breast cancer patients because the disease does not discriminate gender.
Next, auctioneer Stephen Lewis raised an astounding $111,000 in minutes. When a bidding war ensued over a pair of Buccellati earrings, Bradfield, who owns Tenenbaum Jewelers, gave away two sets instead of one. Then, an Ashley Longshore painting sold for $31,000. And the final bid item, a VIP Astros package, which included throwing out the first pitch at a Minute Maid Park home game, fetched $54,000 after the Cranes sold it to two buyers.
Things were looking good by the time McEntire and KPRC Channel 2’s Frank
Billingsley sat for their fireside chat.
The country music star breezed gamely through a variety of topics, from earning her degree in early education to daughter-inlaw Kelly Clarkson.
“I actually wanted to be a world championship barrel racer, but I wasn’t any good at it,” McEntire said. “My mom made me go to college because she wanted me to be self-sufficient. I wanted that good kind of attention, so I sang.”
Her dream first gig? Singing the national anthem at a rodeo.
“My advice to young people is to do what you say you’re going to do. And when you’re supposed to be somewhere, show up prepared.”
McEntire shared that her best concert memory is performing at the Astrodome; she’s performed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 18 times.
When Billingsley asked McEntire to dish on daughter-in-law Clarkson, who’s married to her son Brandon Blackstock, she responded, “That’s my favorite subject. Kelly’s got a bigger-than-life personality. She stays at a ‘10’ all the time and knows how to carry a conversation.”
And when asked about her sister, a breast cancer survivor, McEntire suggested that the best gift to give someone battling the disease is quality time. “It’s important to help their caregivers with love and support, too.”
By luncheon’s end, it had raised a record-shattering $850,000.
“You all look so gorgeous in your pink,” Whitney Crane told the crowd, before reminding everyone of that evening’s Astros game. “We’ll see you tonight, hopefully in your orange and blue.”
“My mom made me go to college because she wanted me to be self-sufficient. I wanted that good kind of attention, so I sang.” — Reba McEntire