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Dolly Parton shared a heartfelt reaction to the loss of Brandon Blackstock, a talent manager who was formerly married to singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson and formerly country legend Reba McEntire’s stepson.
Parton said in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight’s Denny Directo that she has not yet had a chance to reach out to Clarkson after Blackstock’s death, “but I will. I’ll catch up with her.” When asked the advice she’d give Clarkson and McEntire as they go through the loss (particularly, after Parton lost her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, earlier this year), the “I Will Always Love You” star replied: “Well, 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.
“Take their energy that they had given you then, and kind of, just kind of re-cycle that and let that become a part of you,” she continued. “Just honor their memory, and just know they’re in a better place than we are these days.”
Blackstock “passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family” on August 7, a representative confirmed in a statement. He died of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, after a private battle that lasted more than three years. He was 48. Blackstock is survived by children Savannah and Seth from a previous marriage, grandson Lake, and children River and Remington, whom he shares with ex-wife Clarkson. Savannah also recently announced she’s pregnant with another child.
McEntire was previously married to film producer Narvel Blackstock, 68, from 1989 to 2015. The former couple welcomed McEntire’s son, Shelby Blackstock, 35, in 1990. He and his mother paid tribute to Blackstock in separate tributes since his loss.
“Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God,” McEntire posted on Tuesday evening (August 12). “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.”