The music industry is mourning the loss of Brandon Blackstock, the talented manager and ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson, who passed away on August 7, 2025, after a private three-year battle with melanoma. At just 48 years old, his death has left a void in the lives of his four children, extended family, and the artists he worked with. But beyond his professional life and high-profile marriage, Brandon’s roots trace back to a tight-knit home with deep ties to country music. Let’s take a closer look at the people who shaped him—his mom, dad, siblings, and the blended household that surrounded him.
The Blackstock Family Tree: Parents and Early Influences
Brandon Blackstock’s parents, Narvel Blackstock (father) and Elisa Gayle Ritter (mother, now Elisa Gilbert), were married from 1973 to 1988. His dad, Narvel, a powerhouse in the music management world, co-founded Starstruck Entertainment and managed icons like Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, and even Kelly Clarkson before Brandon took over her career. His mom, Elisa, meanwhile, worked as a television producer, though she’s stayed largely out of the spotlight since their divorce. Together, they welcomed Brandon in 1976, along with his two sisters, Shawna Rene Blackstock and Chassidy Celeste Blackstock.
After Narvel and Elisa split, Narvel married country legend Reba McEntire in 1989, making her Brandon’s stepmother for over two decades. Though their marriage ended in 2015, Reba never stopped referring to Brandon as her son. “Brandon’s been my son forever, it seems,” she once told Entertainment Tonight. “Although he’s my stepson, I still love him like he’s my total—my blood.” Narvel and Reba also had a son together, Shelby Steven McEntire Blackstock, a professional race car driver who became Brandon’s half-brother. Despite the family’s ups and downs, Reba remained close to Brandon and even considered his children with Kelly Clarkson her grandchildren.
Brandon’s relationship with his father was both personal and professional. He joined Narvel at Starstruck Management in 2006, learning the ropes of artist management while working with clients like Blake Shelton. That mentorship paved the way for Brandon’s own career, which eventually led him to cross paths with Kelly Clarkson—first as her manager, then as her husband.
Siblings, Children, and the Next Generation
Brandon Blackstock’s siblings include his two full sisters, Shawna and Chassidy, and his half-brother, Shelby. While Shawna and Chassidy have kept low profiles, Shelby’s racing career occasionally put him in the public eye. The Blackstocks seemed to share a quiet bond, with little drama reported among them, a rarity in celebrity-adjacent families.
But Brandon’s most enduring legacy lies in his four children. With his first wife, Melissa Ashworth, he welcomed daughter Savannah and son Seth. Savannah, now in her 20s, made headlines in early August 2025 when she announced she was expecting her second child, a baby girl due in January, just weeks before Brandon’s passing. She’s already a mom to a 3-year-old son, Lake, making Brandon a grandfather before his death. His younger son, Seth, stayed out of the spotlight but appeared in a sweet birthday video for Kelly Clarkson in 2020, showing the blended family’s warmth despite the divorce.
With Kelly Clarkson, Brandon Blackstock shared two musically gifted kids: River Rose, 11, and Remington “Remy” Alexander, 9. River has already joined her mom onstage during Kelly’s Las Vegas residency, belting out “Heartbeat Song” with confidence, while Remy stole hearts with a viral performance of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
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Even amid a messy divorce and legal battles, Brandon and Kelly prioritized co-parenting. “I ask my kids every night when we’re snuggling, ‘Are you happy?’” Kelly shared in a 2024 podcast. When they admitted they wished their parents were still together, she reassured them: “I get it. I’m from a divorced family, too. But you are so loved by both of us.”
A Family’s Private Grief
Brandon Blackstock, ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson and former manager, has passed away at 48 following battle with cancer. pic.twitter.com/y6krqnLdOl
— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 7, 2025
In his final days, Brandon was surrounded by loved ones, including Kelly, who postponed her Las Vegas shows to support their kids. “Despite their difficult divorce, he’s still the man she loved and still her kids’ father,” a source revealed. His death marks the end of a life deeply intertwined with family, both biological and chosen. From his parents’ early influence to his children’s budding talents, Brandon’s story is a reminder that legacy isn’t just about fame or fortune, but the people who carry your love forward.
For now, the family has asked for privacy as they grieve. But one thing’s clear: Brandon Blackstock’s name will live on through his kids, his grandkids, and the music he helped bring into the world.
