The 68th Grammy Awards, held February 1, 2026, delivered plenty of glamour and celebration, but one moment stood out for its quiet emotional weight. When Reba McEntire took the stage to lead the annual In Memoriam segment, the tribute became deeply personal—both onstage and behind the scenes.
According to sources in the press room, McEntire made one firm request that producers initially hesitated over: that her late stepson, Brandon Blackstock, be publicly acknowledged. Despite concerns about the complicated history connecting Blackstock to McEntire’s former daughter-in-law, Kelly Clarkson, Reba reportedly remained unwavering. To her, the reason was simple—he was family.
At the Crypto.com Arena, McEntire was joined by Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson for a stripped-down, emotional performance of “Trailblazer (Dream Chaser Version).” As images honoring those lost in the music world played behind them, Brandon Blackstock’s photo appeared, creating a powerful, hushed moment throughout the arena.
Blackstock passed away in August 2025 at age 48 after a private battle with melanoma. While public attention in recent years had focused on his highly publicized divorce from Clarkson, McEntire chose to spotlight a deeper, longstanding bond. She married Brandon’s father, Narvel Blackstock, in 1989, and although that marriage ended in 2015, McEntire has often said she never stopped considering his children her own.
Following the Grammys, McEntire shared that she remains closely connected to Clarkson’s children, River Rose and Remington. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, she emphasized that grief doesn’t disappear with changed family dynamics and that her concern has always been rooted in love and continuity.
Ultimately, the tribute transcended industry politics or past controversies. By insisting Brandon Blackstock be named and remembered, Reba McEntire turned a ceremonial moment into a statement of compassion—one that honored family, loss, and the courage to acknowledge grief without conditions.