Reba McEntire Delivers Emotional Grammy Tribute Performance

On February 1, 2026, the lights of Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena shone a little brighter—and, for some, a little more bittersweet—than usual. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcast live and hosted by Trevor Noah, became more than just a celebration of music’s current stars and rising talents. For country legend Reba McEntire, it was a night steeped in memory, loss, and a performance that would become her most personal yet.

Despite a career boasting three Grammy wins and 18 nominations, Reba McEntire had never before graced the Grammy stage as a performer. This year, that changed in a way nobody could have anticipated. According to American Songwriter, McEntire’s debut performance came during the show’s In Memoriam segment, an annual tradition since 2003 when the Recording Academy first introduced the tribute to honor music professionals lost over the previous year. But for McEntire, this year’s tribute was especially poignant: among the faces remembered was her own late son, Brandon Blackstock, who passed away in August 2025 after a three-year battle with melanoma at just 48 years old.

“I’ve got a lot of friends on that screen tonight. My oldest son, Brandon Blackstock, is also up there. He passed in August, so this is going to be a very emotional song to sing,” McEntire told Country Now ahead of the performance. The gravity of the moment was not lost on her fans, nor on anyone watching the ceremony unfold.

Taking the stage for the first time at the Grammys, McEntire delivered a reimagined version of her Grammy-nominated song, “Trailblazer,” now titled “Trailblazer (Dream Chaser Version).” The performance was a collaborative effort, featuring Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brandy Clark—who rewrote and co-produced the song alongside McEntire—and Grammy-winner Lukas Nelson. The trio’s harmonies filled the arena, their voices rising above a montage of the year’s losses: not only Brandon Blackstock, but also icons like Ozzy Osbourne, D’Angelo, Roberta Flack, Raul Malo, Brett James, and Ace Frehley.

Ozzy Osbourne, revered as the “Godfather of Metal,” died in July 2025 at age 76, just 17 days after his final concert with Black Sabbath, according to American Songwriter. The neo-soul pioneer D’Angelo, a four-time Grammy winner, succumbed to pancreatic cancer in October at the age of 51. Roberta Flack, who blended soul, jazz, rock, and pop into a five-time Grammy-winning career, passed away in February 2025 at 86 from cardiac arrest. Raul Malo, the Mavericks’ lead vocalist, lost his battle with colon cancer in December at 60. Brett James, the songwriter behind hits like Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” died in a tragic plane crash in September, while Ace Frehley, founding guitarist of KISS, died in October.

For McEntire, the performance was a culmination of grief, gratitude, and a sense of duty to those who came before. In a red carpet interview with E! News, she admitted, “Brandon is going to be up on the stage” and described the moment as “very special.” Even after decades in the business, she confessed, “This is going to be my favorite memory.”

The In Memoriam segment has become a fixture of the Grammy Awards, first introduced in 2003 when Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, Steven Van Zandt, Pete Thomas, and Tony Kanal joined forces to honor the late Joe Strummer. Since then, the segment has grown into a powerful annual ritual, offering space to reflect on the collective losses of the music community—artists, technicians, executives, and unsung heroes alike. This year’s visual tribute, set to the voices of McEntire, Clark, and Nelson, was as moving as any in recent memory.

Social media lit up with praise for McEntire’s performance. One fan wrote, “I BETTA not see one bad review of REBA’S performance… she is royalty.” Another wondered, “How is this Reba’s first time performing at The Grammys?! She did wonderful and looked fabulous!” The outpouring of support underscored just how much the country icon’s vulnerability and artistry resonated with viewers.

The 2026 Grammys were, of course, more than just moments of remembrance. Electrifying performances from Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, Addison Rae, Justin Bieber, Lauryn Hill, Post Malone, Slash, and others kept the energy high. Bad Bunny made history as the first Spanish-language artist nominated for Album, Record, and Song of the Year—a testament to the evolving, global nature of the music industry.

Presenters included a who’s-who of contemporary music and entertainment: Carole King, Harry Styles, Queen Latifah, Lainey Wilson, and even a surprise guest. The show, broadcast on CBS and streaming via Paramount+, reminded viewers that the Grammys remain the only major music awards voted on by peers—recording artists, songwriters, producers, mixers, and engineers—spanning every genre and discipline, as Country Now reported.

Reba McEntire arrived at the ceremony with her fiancé, Rex Linn, the couple appearing joyful and at ease as they walked the red carpet. Despite the emotional weight of the night, McEntire’s poise and grace were evident, her performance a testament to resilience in the face of personal tragedy. The country star’s connection to Brandon Blackstock ran deep. She became his stepmother in 1989 upon marrying Narvel Blackstock, and, even after their 2015 divorce, she remained close to Brandon, always considering him like her own son. Brandon, a longtime music manager, had worked with artists like Blake Shelton and was previously married to Kelly Clarkson.

The night’s In Memoriam segment, led by McEntire, Clark, and Nelson, was not just a roll call of names lost. It was a reminder of the enduring power of music to connect, to heal, and to honor those who shaped its course. As faces flashed across the screen—Raul Malo, Brett James, Ace Frehley, and so many more—the audience was reminded of the fragility of life and the strength found in community.

As the Grammy Awards continue their tradition of celebrating both past and present, the 2026 ceremony will be remembered for its raw emotion, its historic milestones, and one country legend’s unforgettable first performance. For Reba McEntire, and for so many watching, it was a night that transcended the usual glitz and glamour, anchoring “Music’s Biggest Night” firmly in the heart.