Shelby Blackstock Remembers Late Brother Brandon on Anniversary of His Death, Details the ‘Greatest Gifts’ He Gave Him
Shelby Blackstock Remembers Late Brother Brandon on Anniversary of His Death, Details the ‘Greatest Gifts’ He Gave Him
Daniela AvilaFri, August 7, 2026 at 10:20 PM UTC
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Brandon Blackstock on InstagramCredit: Shelby Blackstock/Instagram -
Shelby Blackstock shared a heartfelt tribute to his late brother Brandon Blackstock on the anniversary of his death
Brandon, who lived with malignant melanoma for three years, was remembered for his impact on Shelby’s confidence and upbringing
Shelby expressed his wish for Brandon to meet his soon-to-be-born son Archer and vowed to honor his legacy
Shelby Blackstock is missing his late brother Brandon Blackstock.
On Friday, Aug. 7, Shelby shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram for his brother — who died one year ago after a three-year journey with malignant melanoma — and he began by writing “a void can never be filled.”
“It still doesn’t feel real. Sometimes it feels like we’re all just busy and overdue for a catch-up call. Then reality hits all over again. It’s a painful reminder every single day,” Shelby, 36, wrote. “A lot has happened this past year. As I’m getting ready to welcome my first son into the world, I’ve found myself thinking about what shaped me growing up. It truly took an army, but somehow it always came back to you.”
Shelby’s parents are Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock. When Narvel married McEntire in 1989, he already had Brandon with ex-wife Elisa Gayle Ritter.
“You welcomed me as a new little brother, helped raise me, and, more than anything, gave me an outrageous amount of confidence in myself,” Shelby continued. “That confidence became the foundation for believing I could accomplish anything in life. It’s one of the greatest gifts anyone has ever given me.”
Shelby then wrote that he wished Brandon could meet his baby boy Archer — who’s due in October — and he’ll do his best to “pass along everything you taught me.”“Lucky for him, his teacher is more handsome, taller, fitter, faster, and definitely smarter… I still might not out-hunt you just yet, but I’m working on it,” he concluded. “I’ll see you around, cowboy. We miss you. We love you. Every single day.”
PEOPLE confirmed Blackstock died of malignant melanoma on Aug. 7, 2025, one day after his ex-wife Kelly Clarkson (with whom he shares two children) revealed he was ill.
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“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a rep for the family told PEOPLE in a statement at the time. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
On what would’ve been Brandon’s 49th birthday, Shelby posted a tribute on Instagram where he wrote that he thinks about him “every day.”
“It’s still hard to believe you’re gone,” he began. “This morning felt strange not making that 5am birthday call just to be the first one. You never know how special those moments are until they’re gone.”
Brandon Blackstock, Reba McEntire, Shawna Blackstock, and Shelby Blackstock attend the 5th Annual ACM Honors on September 19, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee.Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty
“I know you’re having the best birthday up there— with an endless supply of Coors Lights & your favorite,” Shelby continued. “Happy birthday. I love you and miss you so much!!!”
In an October cover story with PEOPLE, the “It’s Your Call” singer opened up about her “precious” relationship with Brandon.
“I absolutely loved that child. He came into my life, I guess he was 4 years old. Then when Narvel and I got married, he was 13, 14,” McEntire, 71, said. “Along with his mom and dad, I helped raise him, along with [step kids] Shawna and Chassidy. They were my kids.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
