Reba McEntire is paying tribute to Brandon Blackstock.
The “Survivor” singer, who was married to Brandon’s dad Narvel Blackstock from 1989 to 2015, shared a message in the wake of the talent manager’s death at 48.
On Aug. 11, Reba reacted to an Instagram tribute from her son Shelby Blackstock and wrote, “Very well said Shelby. Yes we will miss him so much,” alongside broken heart emojis.
In his original post, Shelby said his half-brother would be “deeply missed” following his battle with cancer.
“He taught me so much, leaving behind countless cherished memories that I will hold onto forever,” he wrote. “For every treasured moment we shared, there are so many more we’ll never get to make together, but I know you’ll still be there. Every hunt, every flight, and in the everyday moments of life, I’ll feel your presence.”
Shelby added, “And although it may annoy you, you’ll have to watch me do it all just a little better, a little smoother, and —let’s be honest— looking far more handsome than you ever could in the process. We will always miss you, Brandon, and we will never stop loving, remembering and celebrating you.”
According to Brandon’s rep, he “bravely battled cancer for more than three years” prior to his death.
“He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” the spokesperson continued in an Aug. 7 statement to NBC News. “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
One day before news of his passing, Brandon’s ex-wife Kelly Clarkson—mom to their kids River Rose, 11, and Remington “Remy” Alexander, 8—canceled the remaining summer dates in her Las Vegas residency to be with her family.
“While I normally keep my personal life private,” the American Idol alum shared on Instagram Aug. 6, “this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them.”
She added at the time, “I am sincerely sorry to everyone who bought tickets to the shows and I so appreciate your grace, kindness and understanding.”
Kelly first met Brandon—also dad to kids Savannah and Seth with his ex-wife Melissa Ashworth—at a rehearsal for the 2006 Academy of Country Music Awards, when Narvel was serving as her manager. Brandon took over management duties from his dad following his 2013 wedding to Kelly.
The couple broke up in 2020 after almost seven years of marriage, with their divorce finalizing two years later.
“Divorce is never easy,” Kelly said on a September 2020 episode of eponymous talk show. “And we’re both from divorced families so we know the best thing here is to protect our children and their little hearts.”
As for Reba, she has nothing but love for both Brandon and Kelly even after their split. “Brandon’s been my son forever it seems,” she told Entertainment Tonight in 2021. “Although he’s my stepson, I still love him like he’s my total—my blood.”
She added, “I love them both, and so I can’t play favorites because I’ve been a friend of Kelly for a long time.”
Read on for a look at Brandon’s life in pictures.
2012
2013
2013
2013
2013
2013
2015
2015
2015
2015
2015
2015
2016
2016
2016
2017
2017
2018
2018
2018
2018
2019
2020
2020
