Reba McEntire reflected on the death of stepson Brandon Blackstock while gearing up to perform at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
“It really is special to me, because my son is one that we’re honoring,” McEntire, 70, told E! News on the red carpet in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 1, teasing her tribute to the late music manager during the In Memoriam segment. “He passed away in August, and so Brandon is going to be up on the stage with [us] … so it’s going to be very special.”
Sunday is far from McEntire’s first Grammys experience — the country legend has won three trophies from 18 nominations over the years — she noted that this performance “is going to be my favorite memory.”
McEntire will take the stage with Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson at the ceremony for a rendition of her song “Trailblazer,” which is up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. (Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson collaborated with McEntire on the 2025 hit.)
The Reba alum hit Sunday’s red carpet with her fiancé, Rex Linn, shining in a sleek silver blazer and black pants.
McEntire was previously married to Brandon’s father, Narvel Blackstock, from 1999 to 2015. The Happy’s Place actress was candid about her relationship with Narvel’s children throughout their marriage, often stating that she considered them to be her own kids.
“Brandon’s been my son forever it seems,” she told Entertainment Tonight in October 2021. “Although he’s my stepson, I still love him like he’s my total — my blood.”
News broke in August 2025 that Brandon died at the age of 48. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” a rep for the family said in a statement to Us Weekly. “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
McEntire was previously married to Brandon’s father, Narvel Blackstock, from 1999 to 2015. The Happy’s Place actress was candid about her relationship with Narvel’s children throughout their marriage, often stating that she considered them to be her own kids.
“Brandon’s been my son forever it seems,” she told Entertainment Tonight in October 2021. “Although he’s my stepson, I still love him like he’s my total — my blood.”
News broke in August 2025 that Brandon died at the age of 48. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family,” a rep for the family said in a statement to Us Weekly. “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Brandon was a father of four, sharing two children with ex-wife Melissa Ashworth, whom he was married to from 2001 to 2012. He also shared two children with ex-wife Kelly Clarkson, whom he was married to from 2013 to 2022.
One month after Brandon’s death, McEntire opened up about how his kids were coping. “We miss him. We miss him every minute,” she told Entertainment Tonight at the 2025 Emmy Awards. “The kids are doing well, they’re all bonding together and hanging out with each other, and taking it one day at a time. We know God’s got this.”
McEntire went on to praise her “precious” relationship with Brandon during an October 2025 interview with People. “I absolutely loved that child. … Along with his mom and dad, I helped raise him, along with [Narvel’s other kids] Shawna and Chassidy. They were my kids.”
According to McEntire, Brandon’s “sense of humor” is one of the things she’ll miss most. “He brought joy to everybody that met him, and we’ll never forget him,” she added.
