Inside Brandon Blackstock’s Music Empire

The sad news that Brandon Blackstock had passed away arrived on August 7. This came mere hours after his ex-wife, Kelly Clarkson, announced she would be postponing her Las Vegas residency to be with her family. Notably, they share two young children. He was 48 years old.

In addition to his children with Clarkson, Blackstock leaves behind a significant legacy as he was not only a talent manager, but he also served as one of the producers on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” The two tied the knot in 2013 but sadly divorced in 2022. 

Blackstock Worked for His Dad’s Management Company

Blackstock made a significant name for himself as a talent manager while working for his dad’s firm, Starstruck Entertainment. He began his tenure with the company in 2006. The company has managed several high-profile entertainers. Its current roster includes the likes of Blake Shelton, Emily Ann Roberts, Maggie Rose, and Carly Pearce.

Notably, he served as one of the managers for Clarkson from 2017 until they separated in 2020. He helped broker her deals for “The Voice” and her daytime talk show. He also worked with Rascal Flatts as their road manager.

Kelly initially signed to Starstuck in 2007, and Blackstock’s dad, Narvel Blackston, was her personal manager. The company is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and has been around since 1988. 

According to US Weekly, Blackstock left the music industry following his split from Kelly Clarkson. He then became a full-time rancher on his own cattle ranch.

He Amassed Quite a Bit of Wealth During His Life

Along with an extensive legacy in the music industry, Blackstock became fairly wealthy during his life. According to Celebrity Networth, he had a fortune of around $10 million when he sadly passed away on August 7. 

Naturally, a substantial portion of his net worth came from managing artists. According to Billboard, managers usually get between 15 and 20 percent of gross income. However, it’s also important to note that Blackstock walked away with a substantial amount in his divorce from Clarkson. 

From their divorce until January 2024, Clarkson agreed to pay him $115,000 per month in spousal support. She also paid him $1.2 million to cover his legal fees. There was also an agreement for her to pay him child support.

He Passed Away from Cancer

According to NBC News, a representative for Blackstock confirmed the news on August 7 that he had passed away. This came after a three-year battle with cancer. The statement read, “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away.”

It continued, “Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”