NASHVILLE, TN — In a moment heavy with grief, country music icon Reba McEntire has spoken publicly for the first time about the heartbreaking final moments she shared with her 48-year-old former stepson, Brandon Blackstock, who passed away earlier today after a private, three-year battle with cancer.
Surrounded by his family in a quiet Nashville hospital room, Brandon’s final hours were marked by whispered prayers, soft music, and the steady presence of the people he loved most. According to those close to the family, Reba — who helped raise Brandon from the age of 13 — held his hand and stayed by his side until his final breath.
“I told him I loved him, that I was proud of him, and that I’d take care of the kids,” Reba shared in a trembling voice. “Then I told him it was okay to rest.”
The news of Brandon’s passing has sent shockwaves through both the country music and entertainment worlds. Known to many as the former husband of pop superstar Kelly Clarkson, Brandon was also a respected talent manager who represented some of the biggest names in music, including Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts. But to his family, he was a devoted father, grandfather, and son whose quiet strength was his greatest legacy.
A Private Battle, Fought with Courage
Brandon’s illness — melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer — had been kept almost entirely out of the public eye. Those who knew him say this was by choice, as he sought to protect his four children: Savannah, Seth, River Rose, and Remington Alexander. Even as his health declined, Brandon insisted on shielding them from the harsh glare of public scrutiny.
Reba, who divorced Brandon’s father Narvel Blackstock in 2015, maintained a close and loving relationship with him over the years. Friends say their bond was more like that of mother and son than step-relations. “Blood doesn’t make family,” Reba once said in an interview. “Love does. And I’ve loved Brandon since he was a boy.”
A Life Woven into Music History
Born in 1977, Brandon grew up in the very heart of country music. His father, Narvel, managed superstars like Reba and Kelly, giving Brandon a front-row seat to the inner workings of the industry. He eventually followed in those footsteps, earning respect as a sharp and loyal music manager.
It was at a rehearsal for Blake Shelton in 2012 that Brandon reconnected with Kelly Clarkson — a meeting that led to their marriage in 2013. Together, they built a blended family and shared both the highs of Kelly’s soaring career and the strain of life in the public eye. Though their marriage ended in 2020, those close to them say they worked hard to co-parent their two young children with mutual respect.
The Final Goodbye
As word of Brandon’s passing spreads, tributes are pouring in from across the music industry. Blake Shelton called him “a brother in every way that matters.” Clarkson has not yet issued a formal statement but yesterday postponed her Las Vegas residency, citing a family emergency.
In her remarks today, Reba’s voice caught as she spoke of the quiet moment after Brandon’s passing:
“I kissed his forehead and told him I’d see him again. And I believe that with all my heart.”
For now, the Blackstock family has asked for privacy as they grieve. Plans for a public memorial are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Brandon Blackstock leaves behind four children, a granddaughter, and a legacy etched not just in the music he helped bring to the world, but in the love he gave to those who knew him best.