Studying Time: 3 minutes
On The Voice, dropping Brandon Blackstock hit dwelling for Reba McEntire.
The ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson, Blackstock handed away this previous summer time.
Naturally, the tragic lack of her stepson got here up within the type of music.
One shifting and exquisite efficiency hit just a bit too near dwelling for Reba. However that wasn’t a nasty factor.
Actress Reba McEntire arrives for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on the Peacock Theatre at LA Reside in Los Angeles on September 14, 2025. (Picture Credit score: PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP through Getty Pictures)
Reba McEntire had a bittersweet expertise on ‘The Voice’
On the Monday, October 27 episode of The Voice, Reba McEntire couldn’t assist however consider Brandon Blackstock’s passing.
Music is an evocative expertise, citing emotion and reminiscence — second solely to odor in the case of dredging up the previous.
Reba felt that personally when Workforce Reba artist Aubrey Nicole sang throughout the episode.
“I’m Gonna Love You Through It” is a Martina McBride music.
The lyrics comply with a pair grappling with a most cancers prognosis.
“Martina’s a good friend of mine,” Reba commented after the efficiency.
She acknowledged: “I lost my oldest son because he did not win with cancer.”
Reba was referring, in fact, to stepson Brandon Blackstock. He handed away on August 7, on the age of 48, after a battle with melanoma.
“That was a real reminder that life goes on,” Reba affirmed. “And we sing songs about it so we can remember the ones around us that we love so much, that we lean on at times like this.”
She praised Aubrey Nicole, saying: “You did a great job.”
Producer Narvel Blackstock, singers Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock attend Muhammad Ali’s Movie star Struggle Evening XXI on the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on March 28, 2015. (Picture Credit score: Michael Buckner/Getty Pictures for Movie star Struggle Evening)
Brandon Blackstock was a part of her life for many of his
Typically, adults marry and discover themselves with an grownup stepchild whom they see a number of instances per 12 months and get to know slowly — if in any respect.
However that’s not how issues performed out for Reba.
She married Narvel Blackstock in 1989. The 2 solely cut up in 2015, after Brandon had married Kelly Clarkson.
To place this into perspective, Brandon was a part of Reba’s life for the whole lot of Taylor Swift’s life.
When she talks about dropping him, she’s speaking about somebody she knew and beloved for almost 40 years.
Final week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went dwelling to be with God. His battle is over and he’s in everlasting peace in God’s presence. There isn’t a one else like him, and I’m grateful for the time we had collectively. His legacy and laughter will likely be carried on via his… pic.twitter.com/vIQF6CmFdI
— Reba McEntire (@reba) August 13, 2025
In August, it fell to Shelby — Brandon Blackstock’s half-brother, the son of Reba McEntire with Narvel — to share the McEntire household’s grief.
“Words cannot begin to capture the tremendous loss our family has endured,” Shelby wrote on the time.
“Yesterday, we lost a brother, a father, a grandfather, and a son,” he grimly acknowledged.
The assertion concluded: “Brandon Blackstock was an irreplaceable part of our family — funny, bright, and full of life — and he will be deeply missed.”
Reba replied to that with a tasteful addition: “Very well said Shelby. Yes we will miss him so much.”
Reba McEntire attends Selection Energy Of Girls: Nashville on Could 01, 2025. (Picture Credit score: Tibrina Hobson/Getty Pictures)
Clearly, she has spoken about this loss prior to now
In the meantime, Reba posted her personal tribute.
“Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God,” she wrote in a tweet.
“His struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God’s presence,” she introduced. “There is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together.”
Reba concluded: “His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again.”
As many people know, grief just isn’t a linear development. Finally, you may be effective for days or perhaps weeks — after which the loss will hit you anew. A robust music might be evocative and bittersweet.