Reba McEntire.

Before starting to put together her new double CD, Reba #1's recording-artist turned toast-of-Broadway turned sitcom-star Reba McEntire had no idea how many number-1 country singles she actually had. Turns out it's 33! Her new release includes two new tracks, including the single "You're Gonna Be." "I'm very lucky to be still in the business," says McEntire. Reba, we're the lucky ones.

"She Thinks His Name Was John" from 1994 was the first country song to talk about AIDS. Were you nervous about recording it?

No. The publishing company said, "We've got one song, and you're the only person that we think would have the guts to record it." Later on people said, "What gave you the nerve to record that? It's about AIDS." I said, "If you talk about AIDS openly, it brings a subject that is so in the dark out in the open, and that way a lot of the fear goes away." The public reaction was positive. I got a lot of letters saying thank you.

When did you first realize that you had a lot of gay fans?

I think it was when a guy came to several shows dressed up as Reba in the red "Fancy" dress. When I met him, I said, "It took you longer to get ready than me."

You always look great, and you've even got your own clothing line now. Any of your past looks that you look back on and say, "What was I thinking?"

Oh, yeah, a lot, especially the ones with the big hair. My favorite looks are from the last several years, since [out makeup artist] Brett Freedman's been doing my hair and makeup. He's done wonders for my image.

You replaced Bernadette Peters on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun and won raves. Any chance you'll play that character again?

I'd love to. I had no expectations, so when the reviews came out we were just ecstatic. I loved the camaraderie of the theater. I made many, many friends.

At the end of the "Does He Love You" video, you blow up your cheating lovers boat--while he's on it with the other woman! My friends and I are obsessed with that moment.

[Laughs] I loved that because it was so sinister, and I don't think anybody would have expected me to let that happen.

You obviously have strong family values, yet you're not afraid to explore darker themes in your work.

I think it's important to keep an open mind and not judge anybody else. And I love to tell real-life stories. We just did an episode of Reba where a black family that had lost their home because of Katrina got bussed from New Orleans to Houston to stay at our house--20 of them!

The younger generation seems to be changing a lot in terms of acceptance of GLBT people, Do you see this through your 15-year-old son, Shelby?

Oh, definitely. Shelby wasn't brought up as closed-minded, or, I should say, as naive as I was. He came to New York when I was in the play and met a lot of gay people and saw they're just normal people. He's very accepting.

What's your favorite compliment to get from a fan?

I like when people say I'm down to earth.

Do you have a motto, words you live by?

It's the golden rule. Treat people like you want to be treated.

Find more from this chat at Advocate.com.