Narvel Blackstock is best known as the former husband and longtime manager of country music star Reba McEntire. He was also a musician in his own right before he moved into management.
His story is often told with errors. This guide sticks to the verified facts and clears up the most common mix-ups.
Who Is Narvel Blackstock?
Narvel Wayne Blackstock was born on 31 August 1956 in Tarrant County, Texas, in the United States.
He began his music career as a steel guitar player. He later joined Reba McEntire’s band, and that working relationship changed both of their lives.
Over time, he moved from playing on stage to managing McEntire’s career. He became one of the most important figures behind her rise in country music.
Narvel Blackstock’s Career in Music
Blackstock joined McEntire’s band as a steel guitar player in 1980. He later became her tour manager, and then her full-time manager.
He co-founded Starstruck Entertainment, the management company that handled McEntire’s career. The company also worked with other artists.
For McEntire, this was a partnership in every sense. Her husband was also the person running the business side of her career.
That dual role lasted for decades. It is one reason their split in 2015 was both a personal and a professional break.
Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire: Marriage and Divorce
Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire married on 3 June 1989. They wed in a private ceremony on a boat at Lake Tahoe.
Their marriage lasted 26 years. On 3 August 2015, a joint statement on McEntire’s website announced that they had separated after 26 years of marriage.
McEntire later confirmed that their divorce was finalised on 28 October 2015. She also said publicly that the divorce was not her choice.
After the divorce, McEntire took control of managing her own career. Multiple outlets reported a divorce settlement of $47.5 million for Blackstock, but the couple did not publish the terms themselves, so that figure should be read as reported, not confirmed.
Quick Facts: Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire
- Married: 3 June 1989, Lake Tahoe
- Separated: Announced 3 August 2015
- Divorce finalised: 28 October 2015
- Marriage length: 26 years
- Children together: One son, Shelby Blackstock
Narvel Blackstock’s First Marriage and Children
Before McEntire, Blackstock was married to Elisa Gayle Ritter. They married on 30 March 1973 and divorced in 1988.
Narvel Blackstock has four biological children in total:
- Shawna Blackstock, from his first marriage
- Chassidy Blackstock, from his first marriage
- Brandon Blackstock, from his first marriage
- Shelby Blackstock, from his marriage to Reba McEntire
Through her marriage to Blackstock, McEntire became stepmother to Shawna, Chassidy, and Brandon. She has often said she did not think of them as stepchildren, but as her own family.
Shelby Blackstock: Narvel and Reba’s Son Together
Shelby Steven McEntire Blackstock was born on 23 February 1990 in Nashville, Tennessee. He is Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire’s only child together.
He is also McEntire’s only biological child. She had no children from her first marriage, to steer wrestling champion Charlie Battles, which lasted from 1976 to 1987.
Shelby chose a different path from his parents. He became a professional race car driver, competing in series including the U.S. F2000 National Championship, Pro Mazda, and Indy Lights, before moving into sports car racing.
In 2020, he won the GT World Challenge America title with co-driver Trent Hindman. He later moved into business, including founding the outdoor clothing brand Hartland.
The Blackstock Family Explained: Clearing Up the Confusion
The Blackstock family tree causes a lot of confusion online. Here is the correct version.
Brandon Blackstock Was Narvel’s Son, Not His Brother
Brandon Blackstock was Narvel Blackstock’s son from his first marriage to Elisa Gayle Ritter. He was not Narvel’s brother.
Brandon followed his father into music management. He worked with artists including Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts.
Kelly Clarkson Was Brandon’s Wife, Not Narvel’s
Brandon Blackstock married singer Kelly Clarkson on 20 October 2013. They had two children together: daughter River Rose and son Remington Alexander.
Clarkson filed for divorce in June 2020. Their divorce was finalised in March 2022.
Brandon Blackstock died on 7 August 2025 at the age of 48, after a private battle with cancer. His family said he had battled cancer for more than three years.
Narvel Blackstock Did Not Win American Idol
Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol in 2002. Narvel Blackstock never competed on the show and never won it.
Any claim that Narvel Blackstock is an American Idol winner confuses him with his former daughter-in-law, Kelly Clarkson.
Reba McEntire’s Marriages at a Glance
- First husband: Charlie Battles, married 1976, divorced 1987
- Second husband: Narvel Blackstock, married 1989, divorced 2015
McEntire has been married twice. Blackstock was her second husband, not her first.
Narvel Blackstock’s Life After Reba McEntire
After the divorce, Blackstock kept a much lower profile. He is not active on social media and rarely speaks to the press.
He was widely reported to be in a long-term relationship with Laura Putty Stroud, a Nashville luxury real estate agent who had been a friend of both Blackstock and McEntire.
One 2025 report described Stroud as Blackstock’s third wife and said they married in a private ceremony in Nashville in April 2024. Blackstock himself has not publicly confirmed a wedding date, so that detail remains reported rather than confirmed.
No reliable source confirms that Blackstock has remarried on any other date, and no new marriage should be assumed beyond what is stated above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Narvel Blackstock?
Narvel Blackstock was born on 31 August 1956. He turned 69 in August 2025.
How long were Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire married?
They were married for 26 years, from 3 June 1989 until their divorce was finalised on 28 October 2015.
How many children do Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire have together?
They have one child together: their son, Shelby Blackstock, born on 23 February 1990.
How many children does Narvel Blackstock have in total?
Narvel Blackstock has four biological children: Shawna, Chassidy, and Brandon from his first marriage, and Shelby from his marriage to McEntire.
Is Narvel Blackstock related to Kelly Clarkson?
Kelly Clarkson was Narvel Blackstock’s daughter-in-law. She was married to his son Brandon Blackstock from 2013 until their divorce was finalised in 2022.
What is Starstruck Entertainment?
Starstruck Entertainment is the management company co-founded by Narvel Blackstock. It managed Reba McEntire’s career and worked with other artists.
