Reba McEntire was already a bonafide country superstar by the time she gave birth to her son Shelby Blackstock, who was born on Feb. 23, 1990. Blackstock is the son of McEntire and her now ex-husband Narvel Blackstock, whom she married in 1989. Shelby is Reba and Marvel's only son together, however, the country legend helped raise her stepchildren with Narvel: Brandon (the ex-husband of Kelly Clarkson) Chassidy and Shawna.
Shelby grew up watching his mother in the spotlight. By the time of his birth, McEntire had racked up country hits such as "Somebody Should Leave," "Little Rock," "Whoever's In New England" and more. But the country queen was determined to ensure that Shelby would have a normal life.
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During an Oct. 2022 appearance on the Today Show, McEntire shared insight into how she raised her son.
"When we would play games or cards, I'd never let Shelby win," McEntire told Today's Hoda Kotb. "He wouldn't have learned anything that way. I always told Shelby, 'I'll always love you, but I want other people to like you. So don't be a little jerk. Don't be a spoiled brat.'"
Despite her hectic touring, recording and acting schedules, McEntire always set aside quality mother-son time.
"I had the best nannies, and I took him on the road with me," the Country Music Hall of Famer said. "When I couldn't, I would fly home after a concert, get him up in the morning, take him to school and pick him up. We'd play until I had to fly out again for a concert that night. I wanted to be with Shelby. Still do."
Per McEntire, Blackstock practices the life lessons she taught him in his dealings with others. "A lot of people have told me you would never know [he] had been blessed with the life he was given," she said.
Get to know McEntire's son Shelby below.
Who is Shelby Blackstock?
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A Nashville native, Blackstock has a full-time racing career that began in 2011.
In 2012, he competed in the U.S. F2000 National Championship with Andretti Autosport. He also finished eighth in points with a best finish of fourth at Road America. He moved to the Pro Mazda Championship in 2013. In 2015, he raced for Andretti Autosport in the Indy Lights series. He transitioned to touring car racing in 2019 and finished fourth in points in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. In 2020, he and co-driver Trent Hindman won the GT World Challenge America in an Acura NSX.
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The multi-talented Blackstock also founded the outdoor clothing brand, Hartland.
Blackstock married his longtime love Marissa Branch in February 2022 after meeting on Tinder in 2014.
"We made fast friends early on and have had a strong bond ever since. We are twin flames. There's this indescribable feeling of déjà vu when we are together — as if life is reminding us that we're following our destiny," the couple told People in 2022. "In retrospect, our mutual friends could see how compatible we are. They would always recommend that we should date; I think we were the only ones who didn't see it (at the time)."
The couple said "I do" at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.'s Magic Kingdom, where Blackstock proposed.
Blackstock shared videos from the fairytale wedding through his Instagram stories. Following the ceremony, the couple rode in a Cinderella-esque horse-drawn carriage fit for a fairytale. The couple's first dance was to Kacey Musgraves' "Butterflies."
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 30: (L-R) 2011 Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, Grand-Am Continental Tire Challenge driver Shelby Blackstock and Reba McEntire arrive for the Brickyard 400 Qualifying presented by BigMachineRecords.com on July 30, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/WireImage)
In one clip Blackstock shared from the wedding, he can be seen sharing a mother-son dance with McEntire to the country singer's song "You're Gonna Be (Always Loved By Me)."
The couple went all in on the Disney theme for its nuptials, with Branch walking the aisle to "Tale As Old As Time" from "Beauty and the Beast."
Blackstock previously shared a photo of the moment he popped the question at Walt Disney World along with a sweet message for his bride-to-be.
"Closing out the best year of my life the right way — I'm engaged to my best friend! @rissabranch I love you," Blackstock wrote on Instagram. "Now let's celebrate the way we know best!"
Branch also shared a photo of the special day, writing "People do crazy things...when they're in love," a quote from "Hercules."
In October of 2021, McEntire and her boyfriend Rex Linn hosted a wedding shower for the bride- and groom-to-be.
Editor's Note: This story previously ran in 2022. It was updated on Feb. 9, 2024.
