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

The Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock Split: Tragic Ending After 26 Years of Marriage

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.

Country music superstar Reba McEntire’s ex-husband Narvel Blackstock was born on August 31, 1956, in Tarrant Country, Texas, USA. Narvel Blackstock was known for the works he has done with the country queen, Reba McEntire.

Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire

As is common to career people, Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire met at work. Reba McEntire started her career with her siblings, “The Singing McEntires.” The trio would be seen performing at rodeos where their father was playing. The group would later separate, but Reba continued her career as a solo act.

Reba married her first husband, Charlie Battles, in 1976. Battles was a steer wrestling champion and a rancher. Battle and Reba would later move to Oklahoma, where they would own a ranch. Battle was a decade older than Reba, and their marriage bore fruit two children. Reba was 21 when she married Battles. When Battles decided to divorce his wife, Reba was devastated, shocked, and even disillusioned with what had happened. Reba’s break-up with Battle happened when her career was soaring and was gaining much attention. Reba, however, stated that the reason for her and Battles’ break up was her decision to prioritize her career over her marriage. She ended her 11-year marriage with Battles in 1987.

After all the divorce hullabaloo, Narvel Blackstock came into the scene. He and Reba had a whirlwind romance. Because of her immediate relationship with Blackstock following a divorce, Reba’s reputation was really criticized by her fans. People said that Reba’s divorce was an incongruous behavior. This was due to the fact that Reba built her early career as a “home-sweet-home” kind of image. Yet, despite all the criticisms, this didn’t stop Reba from marrying Narvel in 1988 in Lake Tahoe, California. The couple welcomed a child in 1990 whom they named, Shelby McEntire Blackstock.

Through-out the years, Narvel Blackstock and Reba McEntire had worked hand-in-hand as partners in the industry and as a couple. Narvel didn’t make a big splash in the country music scene prior to his relationship with Reba. When he married Reba, he started to manage Reba’s career and produced several hits and award-winning songs for Reba. Besides Reba, Narvel also managed some good talents such as Secret of Giving, Malibu Country, and Not So Family Christmas. Reba McEntire and Blackstock also built a company popularly known as Starstruck Entertainment.

Divorce

For more than 25 years, Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock’s marriage could well be considered as one of the most dynamic duos in the country music scene. But to the shock of everybody, especially Reba, Narvel filed a divorce after his 26 years of marriage with the For My Broken Heart singer. Reba said that the divorce was not her choice, and she never would want to end the relationship. Reba had a hard time adjusting after their separation.

As a result, Reba withdrew from Starstruck Entertainment and began to manage herself. Narvel, on the other hand, had finalized their divorce in December 2015. But, Narvel was found with a new relationship just a month after his divorce with Reba. Laura Putty Stroud was a common friend of Reba and Narvel. It was also reported that Narvel and Stroud were very serious and would likely to get married soon. As for Reba, she faced every issue and gossip with her head held high, and she focused more on mastering her craft like never before.

Reba, despite the strains the divorce brought, kept a close relationship with her three stepchildren. When asked about the divorce, Reba said that it happened because someone was not happy about the relationship. Reba agreed with the divorce because she would not want to shackle anyone to stay with her and that life is just short to continue being miserable. Reba also added that God became her primary help and reason to have the strength to overcome the pain and to keep moving forward. Reba said that she prayed every day to ask God for her daily strength to keep going and for guidance on the next steps that she would take.

Latest Stories

Beyoncé smiles despite controversy over her AMA country nominations that overlooked Cody Johnson and Miranda Lambert.

The 2025 AMAs Nominated Beyoncé for Country and Snubbed Cody Johnson and Miranda Lambert

The American Music Awards just did what too many award shows continue to do: propped up a pop superstar in the country categories while ignoring the very artists keeping the ...

The Highwaymen—Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson—pose together, smiling and relaxed, showcasing their legendary camaraderie in country music.

Why The Highwaymen Refused Alcohol on Tour and What They Drank Instead

The Highwaymen were four of country music’s roughest legends, each with enough scars to write ten albums. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson made up the outlaw ...

Maren Morris and Taylor Swift pose together in glamorous outfits, symbolizing their connection as female artists navigating major shifts in and out of country music.

Maren Morris Turned to Taylor Swift and The Chicks for Advice on Leaving Country Music

If you’re gonna walk away from country music, you better know what you’re walking into. Maren Morris didn’t just pack up and go. Before she made the jump to pop ...

Phil Robertson and Miss Kay Robertson from Duck Dynasty hold hands and sit side-by-side in a care facility, reunited after months apart due to health concerns.

Duck Dynasty’s Uncle Phil and Miss Kay Robertson Are Back Together After Months Apart

Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson has officially reunited with his wife, Miss Kay, after months of being separated due to ongoing health issues—and the family says it’s been a major boost ...

Shania Twain, Keith Urban, and LeAnn Rimes are among the bold country artists who embraced vulnerability and body confidence in the spotlight.

7 Country Stars Who Stripped Down Without Regret

In a genre that still hides behind hymns and denim, these seven artists stripped down—and what they revealed wasn’t just skin. It was ownership, defiance, grief, and freedom—and country music ...

Carrie Underwood defends her decision during a heartfelt moment on American Idol, advocating for the show's first Easter faith special.

Carrie Underwood Fought for American Idol’s Easter Episode When Others Said It Was “Inappropriate”

For the first time in its 23-season history, American Idol aired a fully faith-based Easter special. It was bold and heartfelt—and according to a report from The Sun, it almost ...

Pope Francis smiles and waves in his traditional white robes during one of his final public appearances before his passing at age 88.

Pope Francis, the First Pope from the Americas, Dies at 88 After Easter Weekend

Just one day after delivering his final Easter address and meeting with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas and a defining spiritual voice ...

Jelly Roll cracks up alongside Luke Bryan and Jennifer Hudson while sharing a hilariously embarrassing onstage story on The Jennifer Hudson Show.

Jelly Roll Overshared on National TV Telling Jennifer Hudson He Once Pooped His Pants While Performing on Stage

There’s oversharing, and then there’s Jelly Roll on The Jennifer Hudson Show, telling a national audience he once trusted a fart onstage and paid the price. It happened on April ...

Luke Bryan delivers an emotional Easter performance of “Jesus' Bout My Kids” on American Idol, capturing the raw heart of a father’s prayer.

Luke Bryan Sang “Jesus’ Bout My Kids” on Easter and Brought Real Emotion to American Idol

Luke Bryan has spent the last seven seasons of American Idol being the jokester, the crowd-pleaser, the guy who hands out compliments with a grin and a wink. But on ...

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake perform “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on American Idol’s “Songs of Faith” Easter special, bringing emotion and testimony to the stage.

Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” on Idol Felt Like a Personal Testimony

Easter Sunday on American Idol brought faith to the forefront, but when Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake took the stage to sing “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” it stopped being a TV ...