In an interview with ET, Dolly Parton shared advice for her friends Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire after the death of Brandon Blackstock.
Blackstock, Reba’s former stepson and Clarkson’s ex-husband, died of cancer on Aug. 7.
“I love Reba and I love Kelly,” Parton said before the interviewer asked if she had any advice for Clarkson and Reba as they navigate the loss. Parton herself recently experienced the death of her husband of 60 years.
Dolly Parton arrives for Dolly: A True Original Musical at Belmont University’s The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.
“I think that you just have to be grateful for the years that you have with someone,” Parton said.
“You just try to remember the very best of all that. Take their energy that they had given you then, and kind of recycle that and let that become a part of you,” she continued.
“Just honor their memory and know they’re in a better place than we are these days.”
Who is Brandon Blackstock?
Blackstock is a 48-year-old television producer and talent agent.
He started his career in the entertainment industry under the eye of his father, Narvel Blackstock, at Starstruck Entertainment. During his time there, he helped to shape the careers of musicians like Blake Shelton and his ex-wife, Clarkson.
He was also the road manager for Rascal Flatts.
Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson attend the 25th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 12, 2020 in Santa Monica, California.
Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock were married in 2013 and the couple had two children together before divorcing in March 2022.
Blackstock was also the son of Reba McEntire’s former husband, Narvel Blackstock.
Brandon Blackstock cause of death revealed as melanoma
Former Tennessee resident Kelly Clarkson announced the postponement of her Las Vegas show to be with her family a day before the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” Blackstock’s family said in a statement. “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family.”
The statement continued: “We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”
Clarkson announced the decision to take a break from her residency on Aug. 6, when the singer announced on social media that the August dates of her Kelly Clarkson: Studio Sessions shows would be postponed.
Kelly Clarkson attends the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 4, 2024 in Los Angeles.
“While I normally keep my personal life private, this past year, my children’s father has been ill and at this moment, I need to be fully present for them,” she wrote.
Blackstock had been treated for cancer for at least three years.
On Aug. 11, coroner Dan Hollis confirmed that Blackstock’s cause of death was melanoma. The manner of death was natural causes.
Contributing: Joyce Orlando
Audrey Gibbs is a music journalist at The Tennessean. You can reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton shares advice for Kelly Clarkson after ex-husband’s death
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