The Gist
- Dolly Parton shared some heartfelt words of advice for fellow music icons Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson as they navigate Brandon Blackstock’s death.
- Parton lost Carl Dean, her husband of 60 years, in March.
- Clarkson was previously married to the talent manager, while McEntire is his stepmom.
As Brandon Blackstock’s inner circle grieves his recent death from skin cancer, Dolly Parton is drawing from her own experience with loss to comfort his family. The “9 to 5” country star is mourning Carl Dean, her husband of 60 years, after losing him this March—and from one singer to another, Parton shared some heartfelt words of advice for Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire as they navigate the grieving process.
Blackstock’s ex-wife Clarkson—who shared daughter River, 11, and son Remington, 9, with the late talent manager—and his stepmom McEntire are reportedly “devastated” by Blackstock’s death on August 7, which comes after a three-year cancer battle.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight on Monday, August 11, Parton revealed she hadn’t had a chance to reach out to her fellow music icons just yet. However, she opened up about how she’s managed to navigate the loss of Dean as well as offered some words of comfort for her friends. “I think that you just have to be grateful for the years that you’ve had with someone, and you just try to remember the very best of all that,” Parton shared.
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Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire in 2005
“Take their energy that they had given you then, and you just kind of recycle that, and let that become a part of you,” she added. “Just honor their memory and just know they’re in a better place than we are these days.”
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Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire in 2019 with Carrie Underwood
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Kelly Clarkson and ex husband Brandon Blackstock at the 2018 CMT Music Awards
McEntire, who was previously married to Brandon’s father Narvel Blackstock from 1989 to 2015, broke her silence on her stepson’s passing with an emotional tribute on Tuesday, August 12. Sharing candid photos of the pair spending time together on Instagram, she wrote, “Last week, my stepson/oldest son Brandon Blackstock went home to be with God. His struggle is over and he is in eternal peace in God’s presence.”
The “I’m a Survivor” singer remembered her friendship with the late talent agent, adding, “There is no one else like him, and I’m thankful for the time we had together. His legacy and laughter will be carried on through his family. Rest in peace cowboy. Happy trails to you til we meet again.”
Read the original article on InStyle
