Reba McEntire honored her late stepson Brandon Blackstock during her performance at the Grammys 2026’s in memoriam segment. The tribute was the first time Reba performed on the Grammys stage.
Reba McEntire will keep on loving her late stepson Brandon Blackstock.
The country singer performed at the Grammys for the first time ever during the 2026 award show on Feb. 1, paying tribute to the talent manager—whose dad Narvel Blackstock was married to Reba for over 20 years—as well as other fallen stars during the in memoriam segment.
Taking the stage inside Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, Reba was joined by Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson as they performed a special rendition of “Trailblazer” in which the lyrics were changed to honor late musical icons.
“It was Johnny and Loretta / Patsy and Tammy, too,” Reba sang, referencing Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette as Brandon’s name appeared onscreen behind her. “We all walk in their footsteps / But we can’t fill their shoes.”
And ahead of the Trevor Noah-hosted ceremony, Reba shared how the performance will be “my favorite memory.”
“It really is special to me, because my son is one that we’re honoring,” she told Live From E!: Grammys‘ Zuri Hall. “He passed away in August, and so Brandon is going to be up on the stage with Brandy, and me, and Lukas, and the two ladies playing the cello and the violin.”
She added, “It’s going to be very special.”
Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesBrandon—who shared kids River Rose, 11, and Remington “Remy” Alexander, 9, with ex-wife Kelly Clarkson—died at age 48 after a yearslong battle with cancer. At the time, her and Narvel’s 35-year-old son Shelby Blackstock penned a heartfelt tribute, which Reba praised as “very well” written.
“He taught me so much, leaving behind countless cherished memories that I will hold onto forever,” Shelby wrote on Instagram. “For every treasured moment we shared, there are so many more we’ll never get to make together, but I know you’ll still be there. Every hunt, every flight, and in the everyday moments of life, I’ll feel your presence.”
InstagramHe added, “And although it may annoy you, you’ll have to watch me do it all just a little better, a little smoother, and —let’s be honest— looking far more handsome than you ever could in the process. We will always miss you, Brandon, and we will never stop loving, remembering and celebrating you.”
Prompting Reba to in the comments section, “Yes we will miss him so much.”