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.
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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.”
For more memorable moments at the 2026 Grammys, read on.
Francis Specker/CBSNeeding a Minute
Bad Bunny didn’t move when he heard his name called as the winner of Album of the Year for DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS. Instead, he sat with his hand over his face, barely moving, for 24 seconds as emotion washed over him.
CBS BroadcastingParty in the USA
Miley Cyrus and Jelly Roll, Best Country Duo/Group Performance winner with Shaboozey for “Amen,” took it all in as the good times rolled at the 2026 Grammys.
CBS BroadcastingKissy Face Sent to Your Phone
Rosé chilled out with Bruno Mars after they opened the show performing their smash-hit single “APT.”
CBS BroadcastingInvited to All the Shows
Nikki Glaser doesn’t just host the Golden Globes, she gets nominated for Grammys too. (Well, not this year, but last year shre was.)
CBS BroadcastingNeed That Picture of You, It’s So Magical
Tate McRae will always remember her and Lady Gaga this way.
CBS BroadcastingXOXO
Jelly Roll got an “Amen” from wife Bunnie XO when he won Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
CBS BroadcastingCountry Strong
Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Kelsea Ballerini, Reba McEntire, Zack Top and Lainey Wilson made for quite the group photo.
CBS BroadcastingUsing His Intuition
Jamie Foxx took the liberty of capturing the moment for Teddy Swims and Babyface.
CBS BroadcastingTripleting
Haim‘s I Quit lost Best Rock Album to Turnstile‘s Never Enough, but Alana, Danielle and Este Haim will never regret wearing matching dresses.
CBS BroadcastingOne day Jack Antonoff, an Album of the Year nominee as a producer on Sabrina Carpenter‘s Man’s Best Friend, might regret wearing jeans and a T-shirt. But wife Margaret Qualley did the assignment.
CBS BroadcastingHaving a Moment
Charli XCX looked left as she strode backstage, in the building to present Best Pop Solo Performance.
CBS BroadcastingExtended Family
Sharon Osbourne, Jack Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne were guests of honor as the Grammys paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July 2025.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFIEGOT Mania
During the untelevized part of the Grammys known as the Premiere Ceremony, Steven Spielberg became the 22nd person (or 28th if you’re counting honorary awards) to achieve EGOT status. He added a Grammy for Best Music Film as a producer on the documentary Music by John Williams to his impressive career haul.