Reba McEntire [ tickets ] has indulged in Broadway, television and movies during her long career. Saturday night (9/18) at Phoenix's America West Arena, she did what she does best and proved that she is a country-music legend.

During her second show in Phoenix in six months, McEntire used her hands to emphasize and act out lyrics, laid out a variety of hits and offered her support to U.S. troops.

In front of a half-filled arena, McEntire kicked off her two-hour show with her 1999 hit "So Good Together" and followed that quickly with 1986's "Whoever's in New England." Her setlist featured a mix of long-established hits and songs from her latest album, 2003's "Room to Breathe," and her vocals were nearly flawless.

"Let me tell you what I'm going to do tonight," McEntire told the audience after "Whoever's in New England." "I've picked out some of my favorite songs to sing for you. Hopefully I've picked out some of your favorites, too."

She earned a round of applause from the laid-back audience when she flexed her bicep as she sang "How Was I to Know." Members of the audience jumped to their feet during the chorus of her cover of "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia."

Cuts from "Breathe," especially "Somebody" and "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain," were also favorably received.

Though the audience was mellow, McEntire was full of energy. The singer, who played Annie Oakley in "Annie Get Your Gun" on Broadway, danced along the front of the stage during instrumental solos, and frequently told stories explaining her decision to record certain songs.

She told a particularly heart-wrenching story to introduce "The Greatest Man I Never Knew," a song about her father, a "rodeo cowboy" whom she said was a good storyteller, but was never particularly vocal about his love for her. She dedicated the song to everyone who has been in the same situation.

Her show was not entirely filled with depressing songs and stories, however. The performer, who stars in the TV show "Reba," showed her comic chops as well when she poked fun of her band, which included back-up singer/Grammy winner Linda Davis. She also stopped mid-story to reciprocate an outpouring of affection by a youngster in the audience.

"I love you too, sweetheart," she said. "I love you too. That was so sweet."

Her performance was part of the Outback Steakhouse-sponsored Beauty of a Bonzer fundraiser. The event raised money for the Alzheimer's Association, Phoenix Children's Hospital, the Real Gift Foundation for the Thomas J. Pappas School, and the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center.