Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Narvel Blackstock’s New Girlfriend Is His Ex-Wife’s Close Friend

Narvel Blackstock New Girlfriend
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

American actor and television producer, Narvel Blackstock, and country music superstar, Reba McEntire, went through a difficult divorce in 2015. The announcement of their separation after building an empire together and staying together for almost three decades has shocked the country music community as well as fans.

The two first met when Narvel Blackstock was the steel guitarist for McEntire’s band in 1980. Eventually, their working relationship turned into a friendship and then into marriage. The two exchanged vows on a boat during a private ceremony in Lake Tahoe. Blackstock became a father when they welcomed their son, Shelby.

Reba McEntire also became a stepmother to Narvel Blackstock’s three older children, Shawna, Chassidy, and Brandon. Brandon is married to another music superstar, The Voice coach Kelly Clarkson. Everything was going well, not until the couple announced their separation on August 3, 2015.

In December 2015, McEntire had posted on Facebook confirming that she and Blackstock were officially divorced on October 28, 2015. She posted a photo of her management team and put in a comment below, “Narvel and I are divorced. It was final October 28. Thanks for all the sweet messages. Narvel and I are friends. We always have been.”

In 2016, McEntire revealed to CMT, “The divorce was not my idea. I didn’t want it in any shape, form or fashion. So it was really hard to make the adjustment,” McEntire said. “When someone’s not happy, I just want everybody to be happy in their lives because our lives are too short to be miserable, so I just thought it was the best thing to take my marbles, go play somewhere else.”

The More Shocking News

But what’s even more shocking is the news about Narvel Blackstock’s new girlfriend. After the big divorce, Narvel Blackstock moved on in his way, quite pretty fast. He started dating real estate agent Laura Putty Stroud, who sells luxury homes in Nashville.  

“It was a bombshell. No one saw it coming,” the source of Page Six said. In January 2016. The news of Blackstock and Stroud being a couple made headlines, they are even reported to be already considering walking down the aisle. The source further tells “they are very serious”.

“It’s unclear when they started dating. The word on the street is that they’re getting married,” the source added. The pair, however, has not confirmed the date when they will tie the knot. Despite all the news surrounding their big day, the pair has stayed silent on the matter.

Apparently, Narvel Blackstock’s new girlfriend was one of the couple’s friends and is very close to McEntire. The two really had good times together over the years. 

In 2014, McEntire and Stroud were spotted together attending a Katy Perry concert. McEntire shared an amazing, happy photo of them on Instagram wearing colorful wigs to the show. Stroud also joined the Oklahoma native at son Shelby Blackstock’s car racing competitions, with McEntire giving her dear friend a shout-out for taking some artsy Instagram photos. 

“Thanks, Laura Stroud for the great picture,” McEntire captioned a photo.

But the fearless McEntire appeared to be unfazed with the Blackstock-Stroud-fiasco. “Every time I have seen Reba since the split, she has been in great spirits and focused as ever on her work. Reba’s a pro,” said a source. “She’s not going to air her personal life in public.”

Blackstock and McEntire, who worked together for decades, have also continued their business relationship. The country music power players run their company Starstruck Entertainment together, which manages stars including McEntire, Blake Shelton, Caroline Kole, Shelby, and their daughter-in-law Kelly Clarkson. The singer also told her fans they have remained friends.

“Despite this being the end of their marriage, they continue to support each other,” the duo said in a statement from Big Machine Label Group. “They have worked together for 35 years and will continue to do so. They have asked that you respect their privacy during this time.”

McEntire also prides herself on continuing to have a close relationship with their son Shelby along with Blackstock’s three children from a previous marriage.

“When you go through a divorce, you don’t divorce your children,” McEntire said. “You stay in contact and you continue to love them, guide them, and help them. You’re still a parent.”

Third Time is the Charm

Narvel Blackstock’s divorce to Reba McEntire was not his first. He previously exchanged wedding vows with Elisa Gayle Ritter. Ritter and Blackstock tied the knot on March 30, 1973, in an intimate ceremony. But the duos’ marriage did not last long as they ended their union on March 31, 1988.

Narvel Blackstock has been famous for producing projects Blake Shelton Live: It’s All About Tonight, Blake Shelton’s Not So Family Christmas, Malibu Country, and Kelly Clarkson’s Cautionary Christmas Music Tale. He has a longstanding impressive and successful career.

But does he find it challenging to be successful in his relationships? Well, maybe the third time will be his charm.

It has now been four years since the music manager and his real estate girlfriend became serious in their relationship. Yet the two never disclosed about how their relationship started. They haven’t even given any updates about their romantic relationship; though some pictures on Straud’s Instagram page suggest the pair is very much in love with each other.  

Now, this leaves every single fan of the star having the same question, who is Narvel Blackstock new girlfriend and when will he marry up next? Well, guess we have to be patient wait for some exciting news in days to come.

As for McEntire, the Grammy-winning singer has also moved on and started dating Anthony “Skeeter” Lasuzzo in 2017. The two met in Jackson Hole, WY, when Anthony, a businessman, and photographer, played tour guide for McEntire after Kix and Barbara Brooks introduced them.

Unfortunately, McEntire revealed in November 2019 that she and Lasuzzo split that May. Though McEntire still deserves to find that special someone, it seems she’s just as happy as ever going into 2020 on her own terms.

Latest Stories

LeAnn Rimes Emotional Tribute with He Stopped Loving Her Today at the Opry

LeAnn Rimes’ Emotional Tribute with “He Stopped Loving Her Today” at the Opry

LeAnn Rimes has a remarkable gift for turning every performance into an unforgettable experience, and her tribute to George Jones at the Grand Ole Opry with “He Stopped Loving Her ...

LeAnn Rimes Delivers a Soul-Stirring Acapella Version of "Amazing Grace"

LeAnn Rimes Delivers a Soul-Stirring Acapella Version of “Amazing Grace”

LeAnn Rimes has long been known for her ability to take a song and make it her own, infusing each performance with heartfelt emotion and undeniable talent. One of her ...

Trisha Yearwood Sold Her Tennessee Home Right Before Garth Brooks' Legal Battle

Trisha Yearwood Sold Her Tennessee Home Right Before Garth Brooks’ Legal Battle

After over two decades, Trisha Yearwood has said goodbye to a home that was more than just a house. It was a personal retreat and a sanctuary where she built ...

LeAnn Rimes' Stunning Take on Waylon Jennings' "A Good Hearted Woman"

LeAnn Rimes’ Stunning Take on Waylon Jennings’ “A Good Hearted Woman”

LeAnn Rimes is no stranger to paying tribute to country music legends, and her rendition of Waylon Jennings’ ‘A Good Hearted Woman’ is a testament to her respect for the ...

The 1998 Grammy Award Drama Between LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood Explained

The 1998 Grammy Award Drama Between LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood Explained

In one of the most memorable moments in country music history, LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood found themselves in a surprising and unprecedented situation at the 1998 Grammy Awards. Both ...

How "How Do I Live" Became the Breakthrough Hit for 15-Year-Old LeAnn Rimes

How “How Do I Live” Became the Breakthrough Hit for 15-Year-Old LeAnn Rimes

In 1997, 15-year-old LeAnn Rimes released the song that would change her career forever—”How Do I Live.” Written by Diane Warren, this powerful ballad became a landmark in country music ...

Dolly Parton Donates $1 Million to Support Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

Dolly Parton Donates $1 Million to Support Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

Dolly Parton has always been a symbol of generosity and kindness, and her recent response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene shows her dedication to helping those in need. ...

15-Year-Old LeAnn Rimes Stuns with Her Rendition of “I Will Always Love You”

15-Year-Old LeAnn Rimes Stuns with Her Rendition of “I Will Always Love You”

LeAnn Rimes’ cover of “I Will Always Love You” is one of the most remarkable interpretations of the timeless classic. Originally written and performed by country icon Dolly Parton in ...

What Randy Travis' Song "Three Wooden Crosses" Really Means

What Randy Travis’ Song “Three Wooden Crosses” Really Means

Randy Travis’ “Three Wooden Crosses” is more than just a song—it’s a heartfelt story that resonates deeply with listeners. Released in 2002, the song tells a tale of faith, redemption, ...

Merle Haggard's Spot-On Impersonations of Country Stars That Will Amaze You

Merle Haggard’s Spot-On Impersonations of Country Stars That Will Amaze You

Merle Haggard, known for his distinctive voice and masterful songwriting, was a country music icon and a master of impersonations. While many know him for hits like “Okie from Muskogee” ...