Reba McEntire’s First-Ever GRAMMY Performance Becomes Her Most Emotional, Honoring Her Late Son

Country music icon Reba McEntire took the stage at the 2026 GRAMMY Awards to lead the powerful In Memoriam tribute. Her performance was especially poignant, honoring those the music world lost over the past year, including her late son, Brandon Blackstock, who passed away in August 2025 after a battle with cancer.

Ahead of the show, Reba McEntire spoke about the emotional significance of her performance.

“I’ve got a lot of friends on that screen tonight. My oldest son, Brandon Blackstock, is also up there. He passed in August, so this is going to be a very emotional song to sing,” she shared.

McEntire delivered a special rendition of “Trailblazer,” presenting a reimagined version titled “Trailblazer (Dream Chaser Version).” The performance featured GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Brandy Clark, who rewrote the song and co-produced it alongside McEntire, as well as GRAMMY-winning artist Lukas Nelson.

In a separate red carpet interview with E! News, McEntire revealed “Brandon is going to be up on the stage” and admitted the moment was going to be “very special.”   

Even with three GRAMMY wins out of 18 nominations, each filled with unforgettable moments, the 70-year-old Reba McEntire said her first-ever performance on the GRAMMY stage will top them all: “This is going to be my favorite memory.”

Brandon Blackstock passed away on August 7, 2025, after a three-year battle with melanoma. He was 48 years old. Reba McEntire became Brandon’s stepmother in 1989 when she married Narvel Blackstock. Although the couple divorced in 2015, Reba remained close to Brandon and always considered him like her own son. Brandon was previously married to Kelly Clarkson and was a longtime music manager, having worked with artists including Blake Shelton.

Reba McEntire arrived to the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards with her fiancé Rex Linn. The couple and stars of Happy’s Place walked hand-in-hand and smiled for the cameras as they made their glamorous walk down the red carpet for Music’s Biggest Night. 

The GRAMMYs featured performances by McEntire, Clark, and Nelson along with Addison Rae, Alex Warren, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Clipse, Duff McKagan, Justin Bieber, KATSEYE, Lady Gaga, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Olivia Dean, Pharrell Williams, Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Slash, SOMBR, The Marías, and more.

Additionally, those who presented during the star-studded ceremony included Carole King, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Doechii, Harry Styles, Jeff Goldblum, KAROL G, Lainey Wilson, Marcello Hernández, Nikki Glaser, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah, and Teyana Taylor. An additional surprise presenter was also revealed during the show.

According to the Recording Academy, the GRAMMY Awards stood alone as the only music honors voted on by peers, with winners selected by the Academy’s voting members. This group was made up of music creators spanning every genre and discipline, from recording artists and songwriters to producers, mixers, and engineers.

Broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, “Music’s Biggest Night” was hosted by Trevor Noah and aired Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network, with live and on-demand streaming available on Paramount+*.