Dolly Parton Offers Comfort to Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire After the Death of Brandon Blackstock
The country music world is mourning the loss of Brandon Blackstock, and two women closest to him—Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire—are facing the heartache of his passing with the support of a lifelong friend: Dolly Parton.
Blackstock, 47, died on August 7 at his home in Butte, Montana, under hospice care, surrounded by family. The news was confirmed by Silver Bow County Coroner Dan Hollis, who said Blackstock passed peacefully after a period of declining health. He leaves behind his parents, siblings, and four children—Savannah, Seth, River Rose, and Remington.
Kelly Clarkson, the pop-country superstar and host of The Kelly Clarkson Show, was married to Blackstock for nearly seven years and is the mother of his two youngest children, River Rose and Remington. Their 2020 divorce was widely covered in the media, but Clarkson had always described her ex-husband as a devoted father.
Reba McEntire, meanwhile, was Blackstock’s stepmother for over two decades during her marriage to his father, Narvel Blackstock, from 1989 to 2015. The bond they shared went far beyond legal ties. “Brandon’s been my son forever, it seems,” McEntire said in a past interview. “Although he’s my stepson, I still love him like he’s my blood.”
In a heartfelt tribute posted to Instagram shortly after his passing, McEntire shared a carousel of personal photos—moments of fishing trips, warm embraces, and even a lighthearted snapshot of Blackstock holding a chicken. Her caption read:
“Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God. His struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God’s presence. There is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together. His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you ‘til we meet again.”
For Dolly Parton, who has long been close to both Clarkson and McEntire, the news of Blackstock’s death struck a deep chord. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Parton offered gentle words of wisdom for her grieving friends.
“I think that you just have to be grateful for the years that you’ve had with someone, and you just try to remember the very best of all that,” Parton said. “Take their energy that they had given you then, and you 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 these days.”
Parton revealed that she has not yet had the opportunity to speak directly with either Clarkson or McEntire since Blackstock’s passing but said she holds “love” for them both. Her empathy is deeply personal—earlier this year, Parton herself suffered the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, after nearly 60 years of marriage.
Brandon Blackstock was a familiar figure in the music industry, known for his work as a talent manager. His family connections placed him at the center of country music royalty—his father, Narvel, is a renowned music manager, and his stepmother Reba McEntire is one of the genre’s most celebrated voices. Yet those who knew him best describe him not by his professional roles, but by his warmth, humor, and devotion to his children.
As tributes continue to pour in from family, friends, and fans, the legacy of Brandon Blackstock will live on not only in the memories of those who loved him but also in the lives of his children. For Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, and the many others who shared a chapter of life with him, Dolly Parton’s words are a reminder that grief is not just about letting go—it is about carrying forward the best of the person you’ve lost.