Reba McEntire was joined by Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson at Sunday’s Grammy Awards to honor those we’ve lost over the past year.
For the first time in her forty-year career, Reba performed on the Grammys stage. She earned her first Grammy nomination in 1987 and has gone on to receive 18 nominations in total, winning three. Her Grammy wins include Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1987 for “Whoever’s in New England,” Best Country Collaboration with Vocals in 1994 for “Does He Love You” (feat. Linda Davis), and Best Roots Gospel Album in 2018 for “Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope.”
During Sunday night’s (February 1) 68th Grammy Awards, Reba, Brandy, and Lukas performed during the In Memoriam segment. The tribute honored artists, musicians, and industry figures who passed away in the last year.
Among those remembered were songwriter Brett James, country legend Jeannie Seely, The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, The Mavericks’ Raul Malo, KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, chart-topping star Connie Francis, and many others.
For the performance, Reba, Brandy, and Lukas sang “Trailblazer,” a song released earlier in 2025 by Reba, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert. The song was co-written by Lainey, Miranda, and Brandy Clark, so it made perfect sense for Brandy to join Reba on stage.
Reba spoke to the press about the song on the red carpet before the live show.
“I wanted to do a tribute to the ladies who went before us, who paved the way for us. I told Miranda and Lainey and Brandy Clark and they went in and wrote this song called ‘Trailblazer,’” Reba said. “And then when we were selected to do the In Memoriam, Brandy went in and changed a few lines and we added Lukas Nelson and some strings and an oboe, and it is … just really touches my heart.”
One of the most emotional moments of the performance was when Reba honored her late son, Brandon Blackstock. Brandon, who was a talent agent and the son of Reba’s ex-husband Narvel Blackstock, passed away in August at the age of 48 after battling cancer.
“It really is special to me, because my son is one that we’re honoring,” Reba told E! News ahead of the live broadcast. “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.”
See a clip of Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark, and Lukas Nelson’s emotional In Memoriam performance of “Trailblazer” in the video below.
@bootsandhearts Can someone pass me a tissue? Thanks 🥲 #bootsandhearts #musicfestival #rebamcentire #grammys #inmemoriam ♬ original sound – Boots and Hearts
Ozzy Osbourne, Roberta Flack, and D’Angelo were also honored with tribute performances.
Post Malone led a star-studded tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July 2025 at the age of 76 due to a heart attack. Slash and Duff McKagan from Guns N’ Roses, along with Chad Smith and Andrew Watt from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, joined Post Malone for the performance.
Lauryn Hill performed solo to honor Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner (2020) Roberta Flack, who died in February 2025 at the age of 88, and Grammy-winning R&B singer D’Angelo, who passed away in October at 51.
