Joni Mitchell Makes Rare Red Carpet Appearance at Grammys 2026
Reba McEntire will always hold Brandon Blackstock close.
And during the 2026 Grammy Awards, the late talent manager—whose father, Narvel Blackstock, was married to Reba for over 20 years—will be among the musicians and artists that she, Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson will be honoring with a performance of "Trailblazer" during the ceremony's In Memoriam tribute.
"It really is special to me, because my son is one that we're honoring," Reba told E! News Zuri Hall on the red carpet, growing emotional. "He passed away in August, and so Brandon is going to be up on the stage with Brandy, and me, and Lukas, and the two ladies playing the cello and the violin, so it's going to be very special."
And despite having previously won three Grammys out of 18 nominations, all of which hold special memories, the 70-year-old added of the upcoming performance, "This is going to be my favorite memory."
After all, when she and Narvel tied the knot back in 1989, his children—including Chassidy Blackstock and Shawna Blackstock, in addition to Brandon—soon became her own, even after their 2015 split.
"I don't consider Brandon, Chassidy and Shawna stepchildren," Reba—who is engaged to Rex Linn—told The Boot back in 2010. "I claim them all."
It's partly why she's especially grateful to Brandy for helping to bring the In Memoriam performance to life: Brand did the arranging for this new version of "Trailblazer," which Reba originally released alongside Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert.
"It really does touch my heart," Reba said of the song, adding to Brandy, "especially the way you have rewritten it, it has such heart to it."
Kevin Mazur / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
As for Brandy, while she was honored to be involved in writing the original version of "Trailblazer"—which Reba said was to honor the "ladies of country music who" came before them—she was even more touched to be able to rearrange the song for the Grammys.
"It means a lot to me," the 50-year-old said. "Sadly, I know some of those people that are being honored tonight, and to do this with Reba and Lukas—it's just such an honor."
For a look at all the artists who will be in the audience for the special performance, read on.
Francis Specker/CBS
Zara Larsson
in Germanier.
Francis Specker/CBS
Michelle Williams
in Jean-Louis Sabaji.
Francis Specker/CBS
Teddy Swims
Kevin Mazur / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Rex Linn & Reba McEntire
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Ali Wong
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Gayle King
in Sergio Hudson.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Ami Taf Ra & Kamasi Washington
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Shaboozey
in Bode.
Lester Cohen / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Ari Lennox
in Valdrin Sahiti.
John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
JaNa Craig
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Samara Joy
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Justin Sylvester
Francis Specker/CBS
Olivia Hanks & Rita Wilson
in Jenny Packham (Wilson).
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
FKA Twigs
in Paolo Carzana.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Kehlani
in Valdrin Sahiti.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
PinkPantheress
in Vivienne Westwood and custom Pandora jewelry.
Lester Cohen/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Yungblud
in custom Chrome Hearts.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Lola Yung
in Vivienne Westwood.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Adrienne Bailon-Houghton
in J'Aton Couture.
David Fisher/Shutterstock
J.I.D.
Johnny Nunez / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Moneybagg Yo
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Leah Kateb
John Shearer / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Zuri Hall
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Ciara Miller
Francis Specker/CBS
Tallia Storm
Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images
Mark Manio & Scott Hoying
Neilson Barnard / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Flo
Lester Cohen / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Tasha Cobbs
Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Sharon Osbourne
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Keltie Knight
in Godoy and Desert Diamonds.
Watch the Grammys 2026 Sunday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

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