Brandon Blackstock, Longtime Talent Manager, Passes [Updated]
Brandon Blackstock
Longtime talent manager Brandon Blackstock passed away peacefully on Aug. 7 following a three-year battle with cancer. He was 48.
Born in Ft. Worth, Texas, on Dec. 16, 1976, to Narvel and Elisa Blackstock, Brandon spent his early childhood in Burleson, Texas before moving to Big Piney, Wyoming for his high school years.
He moved to Nashville as a young adult to begin a career in the music business. He began working alongside his father Narvel at Starstruck Management Group in 2006. Together, the father-son team managed a roster of top country artists, including longtime client Blake Shelton. Narvel also notably managed and was married to Reba McEntire from 1989 to 2015.
Brandon’s reputation in the music business was that of a champion, who always had his hand out to pull others up the ladder, to open a door or to make a connection.
After more than 20 years in the music business, Brandon returned in recent years to the mountains of Butte, Montana, where he embraced the cowboy lifestyle. With his partner, Brittney Marie Jones, he built businesses and helped establish Headwaters Livestock Auction, along with what will stand as his legacy—the Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana.
Brandon was preceded in death by his loving grandparents Gloria and Narvel Leroy Blackstock, Mary Helen Davis and Walter Ritter and Jacqueline and Clark McEntire. He is survived by his children Savannah Blackstock Lee, Seth Blackstock, River Rose Blackstock and Remington Blackstock; his son-in-law, Quentin Lee; grandchildren Lake Easton Lee, Julianna Rae Lee and the soon-to-arrive LouCasey Lee; parents Narvel Wayne Blackstock and Elisa Gayle Ritter Gilbert; stepparents Reba Nell McEntire, Laura Putty Blackstock and Daniel Eugene Gilbert; grandparents Karen and Terry Beattie; siblings Shawna Blackstock Meyers and Jason Meyers, Chassidy Blackstock Standefer and Scott Standefer, Shelby McEntire Blackstock and Marissa Blackstock; and his other lifelong brother, Brian Pittman.
All of Brandon’s friends and loved ones are invited to join the family for his celebration of life on Sunday, Aug. 17. Please reach out to a family member for service details.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Brandon Blackstock Memorial Fund at the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation.
