Who is Narvel Blackstock?
Narvel Blackstock is a producer, music manager, and former steel guitar player, previously married to the “queen of country music” Reba McEntire. He is also known as the owner of the company Starstruck Entertainment, which manages and develops talent such as singers and songwriters. He was born under the Zodiac sign Virgo on 13 August 1956, in Tarrant County, Texas, USA. As of 2021, he is 65 years old and holds American nationality.
Early life and Family
Narvel was born to Narvel Leroy Blackstock and Gloria Elizabeth Alexander. He has one sibling, a sister named Patricia Ann Blackstock. Despite his public life and celebrity status, not much is known about his early life, background, and education.
Career
Narvel kicked-off his career as a steel guitar player, frequently changing bands.
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Eventually he joined the band of Reba McEntire, and though they struggled to gain attention and popularity in the ‘80s, their luck began to change. Following Reba’s first success with her singles, Narvel assumed the role of manager, and continued working with her for decades. Many credit Narvel for Reba’s enormous success, as he managed her through most of her career, including her rise to stardom. Additionally, he helped Reba launch her acting career.
Executive Producer
In 1988, Narvel founded the management company entitled “Starstruck Entertainment”, through which he produced several TV shows and movies with Reba. In addition, he struck gold when he became the manager of Kelly Clarkson, perhaps best known as the winner of “American Idol”, and Blake Shelton, one of the familiar faces of country music.
He landed his first project in 1994, the made-for-TV drama movie “Is there Life Out There?” starring Reba and Keith Corradine. In 1998 he was the executive producer of another film with Reba, “Forever Love”, followed by the third movie with Reba, “Secret of Giving”. In 2006 he directed the music video for Reba’s single “I Know How He Feels”.
In the following period, he produced several TV specials for Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson, including “Blake Shelton’s Not So Family Christmas” and “Kelly Clarkson’s Cautionary Christmas Music Tale”. In 2012, he took the producing credit for 18 episodes of the comedy series “Malibu Country”, starring Reba, Sara Rue and Lily Tomlin.
Personal Life
Before Reba, Narvel said his first “I do” in 1973 to Elisa Gayle Ritter, an American TV producer.
They welcomed three children together, Shawna Rene (1973), Brandon Blackstock (1976) and Chassidy Celeste (1978). Reportedly, they were high school sweethearts, and just 17 when they walked down the aisle. However, after Narvel started working with Reba, it shook his relationship with Elisa, and they divorced in 1988.
Regarding his children, Brandon Blackstock has followed in his father’s footsteps and launched a career as a talent manager. Since June 2020, he has been the topic of several media outlets after his wife, Kelly Clarkson, filed for divorce following seven years of marriage. Shawna, who has been happily married to ex-US Army Jason Slade Meyers since 2014, works at Elite Studious Studio and Suites.
His Marriage to Reba McEntire
Even though it is not known when exactly they began dating, Narvel and Reba married in a private ceremony on 3 June 1989.
On 23 February 1990 they welcomed their only son named Shelby Blackstock, now a race car driver. Since 2020, Shelby has been engaged to an esthetician named Marissa Branch.
Divorce
In August 2015, the shocking news about Reba and Narvel’s divorce made headlines, calling it quits after 26 years of marriage, which came as a surprise to anyone, including Reba herself. While they never officially disclosed the reason for separation, in an interview, Reba said: ‘The divorce was not my idea. I didn’t want it in any shape, form or fashion. It was really hard to make the adjustment when someone’s not happy. I just want everybody to be happy in their lives, because our lives are too short to be miserable.’
Not long after the separation, Narvel started a romantic relationship with Laura Putty Stroud, a real estate agent who is, interestingly, one of his ex-wife’s best friends. Reba was left heartbroken by this unusual turn of events, and said in numerous interviews that her faith helped in overcoming divorce.
In 2016 she began dating photographer Anthony Skeeter Lasuzz, however, after two years of dating, they broke up.
Would you like to know his net worth?
Even though Narvel hasn’t been active in his chosen field for quite some time, the wealth he’s accumulated over the decades of tireless working has not been gravely diminished. As of 2021, his estimated net worth is around $50 million, earned through his career as a producer and talent manager. His ex-wife’s net worth is around $95 million.
Physical stats and Hobbies
Narvel is 6ft tall (183cm) and weighs around 172lbs (78kgs). His hair is dark brown, while his eyes are brown. Regarding his body physique, he has an athletic build.
Is he active on social media?
It appears that Narvel is not a fan of social media, and doesn’t use Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Briefly about Reba McEntire
Oklahoma native Reba displayed interest in music from a young age, and even taught herself to play the guitar. Given that her brother, Pake, and two sisters, Susie and Alice were interested in music as well, they formed a band entitled “Singing McEntire’s”, performing at rodeos and family gatherings.
Even during her high school days, she was adamant about pursuing music as a career, and performed the national anthem at National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. Reba got her breakthrough moment when popular country musician and singer Red Steagall noticed her, and amazed by her talent, helped her to launch a singing career. In 1975 she signed a deal with Mercury Records.
Initially, Reba struggled to attract attention, as her first single, “I Don’t Want to be a One Night Stand” didn’t perform well on the Billboard country charts, reaching only No. 88. She followed it up with the full studio album “Reba McEntire”, but also to no avail.
In 1980 her luck changed after she released the single “(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven”, which made it to the top 10 list on the country song charts. It didn’t take long for her other singles to become popular, and Reba quickly rose as one of the faces synonymous with country music. She went on to record and release over 30 albums during her career spanning five decades; her most successful albums include “My Kind of Country”, “What Am I Gonna Do About You”, and “The Last One to Know”.
Since launching her career, she has released over 100 singles which landed in the Billboard Country Hot Charts with over 65 million albums sold in the US, and over 90 million worldwide. In addition to her successful and prolific music career, she also tried her luck as an actress, appearing in several movies and shows.
