Who is Narvel Blackstock? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Age: 68 Years, 68 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Elisa Gayle Ritter (m. 1973–1988), Reba McEntire (m. 1989–2015)

children: Brandon Blackstock, Chassidy Celeste Blackstock, Shawna Rene Blackstock, Shelby Blackstock

T V & Movie Producers American Men

Height: 6'0" (183 cm), 6'0" Males

U.S. State: Texas

More Facts

awards: Academy of Country Music Award for Video of the Year

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Career

Narvel Blackstock began his career as a steel guitar player and got recognition after he joined the band of the then-emerging country singer Reba McEntire. They were together during her struggling years and after she became popular. From a guitarist in her band in the early 1980s, he became her manager in the latter half of the decade. Reba McEntire’s career graph took a steep upwards curve after Narvel Blackstock began managing her. He was also there to support her after everyone in her band, including the tour manager, was killed in a plane crash in March 1991, when she was at home recovering from bronchitis. In the later years, he produced some of her television movies, as well as other television specials featuring singers such as Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson. However, the end of his second marriage became the hot topic for tabloids after the couple announced in August 2015 that they had separated months ago.

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Family & Personal Life

Narvel Wayne Blackstock was born on August 31, 1956 in Tarrant County, Texas, United States. His parents were Narvel Leroy Blackstock and Gloria Elizabeth Alexander. He also has a sister named Patricia Ann Blackstock.

Relationships

Narvel Blackstock's first marriage was to Elisa Gayle Ritter on March 30, 1973. The couple remained married for 15 years before getting divorced. They have three children together: Chassidy Celeste Blackstock, Brandon Blackstock, and Shawna Rene Blackstock. About a year after his divorce from his first wife, he married singer-songwriter and actress Reba McEntire during a private ceremony on a boat in Lake Tahoe on June 3, 1989. The two had previously met over their work in the early 1980s when he was the steel guitar player in her band, and he later became her manager as well. Both of them were going through divorce at the time, which brought them together.

They welcomed their only child, son Shelby Steven McEntire Blackstock, in February 1990. Despite being together for over 26 years, they made the shocking announcement of their separation on August 3, 2015 in a joint statement on McEntire's website. The divorce was finalized on October 28, 2015. However, McEntire remains close to her three step-children even after the divorce, and considers their children her own grandchildren. Blackstock's son Brandon is a talent manager who is married to singer Kelly Clarkson. His other son Shelby is a race car driver.

Controversies & Scandals

Since the news of their divorce was made public, Narvel Blackstock has surfaced in the news several times due to his past relationship with Reba McEntire. The country singer was left heartbroken following the divorce, but she eventually recovered thanks to her faith in God and her passion for her work. In March 2016, McEntire told 'CMT Radio Live' that the divorce was not her idea and she "didn’t want it in any shape, form or fashion". She also stated that she wanted to see everyone happy, and as such, following the divorce she convinced herself to "take my marbles, go play somewhere else", as her father had taught her.

Soon after the divorce, it was reported that Narvel Blackstock had moved on with his life and had a new partner, who is none other than McEntire's best friend Laura Putty Stroud, a real estate agent in Nashville. While it is not certain when they began dating, they were good friends beforehand, and are considering marriage according to close sources. Blackstock earned a passing reference after McEntire became involved in a relationship with photographer Anthony 'Skeeter' Lasuzzo in 2017. In September 2018, it was announced that McEntire will release a tell-all memoir to recount her dark days, which again put focus on her early struggles and her relationship with Blackstock.

Narvel Blackstock Biography