Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock’s Relationship Timeline: From Love and Loss to Divorce and New Beginnings
Reba McEntire’s marriage to Narvel Blackstock was more than a union of two people — it was a partnership that intertwined her personal life with her professional empire. Married for 26 years before their 2015 split, the couple navigated triumphs, tragedies, and the complexities of mixing business with family.
1980s: From Bandmates to Partners
McEntire first met Blackstock in the mid-1980s, when he was playing steel guitar in her band before taking on the role of her tour manager. Their relationship quickly deepened, and by 1989 they were married in a private ceremony at Lake Tahoe. That same year, Blackstock launched Starstruck Entertainment, which went on to manage every aspect of McEntire’s career as she rose to become one of the biggest names in country music.
1990: A Family Begins
The following year, McEntire gave birth to her only son, Shelby Blackstock, in February 1990. Balancing motherhood with her demanding career, she relied on a team of nannies and frequently traveled home between shows to spend time with her son. Shelby went on to carve his own path as a professional race car driver, though McEntire has often described him as her greatest blessing.
1991: Tragedy Strikes
In March 1991, McEntire suffered one of the darkest moments of her life when eight members of her band and two pilots were killed in a plane crash following a show in San Diego. McEntire and Blackstock, who had stayed behind, were devastated. She later recalled the moment Narvel broke the news to her in the early hours of the morning. The loss inspired her 1991 album For My Broken Heart, which she dedicated to her fallen bandmates.
2008: Marking 20 Years
By their 20th wedding anniversary, McEntire and Blackstock were not only spouses but business partners with nearly three decades of collaboration behind them. “He is the planner and the schemer. I am the one who goes and does it,” McEntire told The Boot at the time. Their relationship seemed inseparable, built on a foundation of trust and professional synergy.
2013: Family Connections Deepen
In 2013, McEntire’s family ties with Blackstock grew even stronger when her friend and fellow country star Kelly Clarkson married Narvel’s son, Brandon Blackstock. Clarkson became McEntire’s daughter-in-law, and the two women remained close even after Clarkson and Brandon divorced in 2020.
2015: A Marriage Ends
After more than two decades together, McEntire and Blackstock announced their separation in 2015. The split marked not only the end of their marriage but also a dramatic shift in McEntire’s career management. Reports indicated that Blackstock received a divorce settlement of nearly $47.5 million, while McEntire assumed full control of her professional affairs through Reba’s Business Incorporated. Despite the public nature of the split, the couple emphasized their mutual respect and requested privacy.
Life After Divorce: New Love and Reflection
Following their separation, McEntire focused on her career and personal healing. In 2020, she began dating actor Rex Linn, whom she had first met on the set of The Gambler Returns in 1991. The couple reconnected decades later and quickly became inseparable, with McEntire calling Linn “the love of my life.”
In 2024, McEntire candidly reflected on her marriage during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, admitting that the relationship had been “always business.” She explained that their work consumed their personal lives, from “pillow talk” to morning routines. “Our marriage was 26 years,” she said. “We started out working together in the band, then he became my manager and later my husband. But it was always business — all the time.”
2025: Family Ties and Loss
The Blackstock family faced tragedy in August 2025, when Brandon Blackstock — Reba’s former stepson and Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband — died at age 48 after a battle with cancer. McEntire expressed her love and sympathy for the family, continuing to stress the importance of love and resilience through hardship.