Heartbreak for Reba McEntire: Stepson Brandon Blackstock Passes Away at 48 After Cancer Battle

The music world is mourning the loss of Brandon Blackstock, a respected talent manager whose life bridged both pop and country music royalty. He passed away on August 7, 2025, at the age of 48, following a private three-year battle with cancer. According to a family representative, Brandon died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Known for fiercely guarding his personal life, Brandon chose to keep his illness out of the public eye, focusing instead on protecting his family and cherishing the time he had.

Born in 1977 to music manager Narvel Blackstock and Elisa Gayle Ritter, Brandon was just 13 when Narvel married country icon Reba McEntire. Though Reba and Narvel divorced in 2015, she continued to refer to Brandon as family, speaking often of her love and pride for him.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Brandon built a successful career in artist management, eventually launching his own company. He represented major stars, including Blake Shelton — and it was at one of Blake’s rehearsals in 2012 that he reconnected with pop superstar Kelly Clarkson. The two married in October 2013 in a ceremony that blended country roots with pop glamour.

They had two children together, River Rose (11) and Remington Alexander (9). Brandon was also a devoted father to his older children, Savannah and Seth, from a previous marriage, and became a proud grandfather in 2022 when Savannah welcomed her first child.

Brandon and Kelly divorced in 2020, ending a marriage that had captured both fans’ hearts and media attention. The split was highly public, involving disputes over custody, property, and support. Kelly was awarded primary custody, while Brandon relocated to a ranch in Montana the couple had once shared, embracing a quieter life away from the spotlight.

The first sign of his declining health came just a day before his passing, when Kelly abruptly postponed her Las Vegas residency dates, citing a family emergency and the need to be with her children.

Tributes have poured in from across the music industry. While Reba has yet to release a public statement, fans recall the deep, motherly bond she shared with Brandon. Friends and colleagues describe him as loyal, generous, and deeply committed to those he loved.

“Brandon was the kind of man who put others first, even in his hardest moments,” said one longtime friend.

In addition to his children and granddaughter, Brandon leaves behind a legacy of quiet strength and dedication. His journey — from growing up surrounded by country music greats, to guiding the careers of top artists, to facing his illness with dignity — reflects a life well-lived and deeply felt.

The Blackstock family has requested privacy as they grieve. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in his memory.

From the open plains of Montana to the stages of Nashville and Los Angeles, Brandon Blackstock’s story is a reminder that even those tied to legends leave their own lasting mark — in the lives they touched, the love they gave, and the courage they carried.

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