Brandon Blackstock Passed Away On August 7 After Battling Cancer For Years

As Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson mourn a monumental loss, they’ve received a comforting message from Dolly Parton, who’s sadly experienced her share of heartache this year.

Reba McEntire married Narvel Blackstock in 1989, and he also worked as her manager. Narvel had three children from his previous marriage, including his then-12-year-old son, Brandon. Together, Narvel and Reba welcomed their son, Shelby, in 1990.

Although Reba and Narvel divorced in 2015, she and Brandon remained close. She said she never considered him to be her stepson, but rather, viewed him as her own “blood.”

Brandon followed in his dad’s footsteps and worked as a talent manager in the country music industry. He worked with several high-profile clients, including Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, and Kelly Clarkson.

Brandon and Kelly married in 2013 and shared two children. Brandon also had two older kids from his previous marriage.

Kelly and Brandon split in 2020. We’ve since learned that a few years later, Brandon was diagnosed with cancer.

Brandon Blackstock passed away on Thursday, August 7, at the age of 48. His family shared that he had been battling cancer for three years. Later, the Silver Bow County Coroner confirmed Brandon’s cause of death was melanoma.

Following Her Own Heartbreak, Dolly Parton Shares Her Advice About Grief With Kelly Clarkson And Reba McEntire

As Kelly and Reba mourn Brandon’s death, they’ve received heartfelt advice from their dear friend, Dolly Parton.

Dolly is unfortunately familiar with the feelings of grief. Her beloved husband, Carl Dean, died on March 3.

Dolly has been open about her heartache and how she’s coped with her loss. She’s relied a lot on her faith and memories of the good times she and Carl shared.

“It’s a big adjustment just trying to change patterns and habits,” she said in one interview. “I’ll do fine, and I’m very involved in my work and that’s been the best thing that could happen to me. But I’ll always miss him, of course, and always love him. He was a great partner to me.“

During a more recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Dolly was asked if she had any advice about grief to share with her friends, Reba and Kelly, after Brandon’s death. While Dolly hadn’t yet had the chance to speak to Kelly directly, she had talked to Reba and was working with her on the day of her interview.

“I think that you just have to be grateful for the years that you’ve had with someone,” Dolly said. “And you just try to remember the very best of all that…and take their energy that they had given you then, and just kind of recycle that, and let that become a part of you…just honor their memory and just know they’re in a better place than we are.”

Watch Dolly Parton share her message for Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire in the video below.