Kelly Clarkson Withdraws From Texas Benefit After Ex Brandon Blackstock’s Death: What We Know

Hi, I am Avery Sinclair. Oh good, another celebrity plot twist to file under “awkward scheduling.”

Kelly Clarkson quietly pulled out of Band Together Texas, the benefit concert scheduled for August 17 in Austin, after the death of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock on August 3. The move was confirmed by the event organizers in a now-expired Instagram Story that said, in plain terms, that Clarkson would be unable to appear due to personal circumstances. The notice, reported by People, removed her name from the talent lineup and extended love to Clarkson and her family.

Let us not pretend this is merely a canceled gig. Clarkson and Blackstock share two children, River, age 11, and Remington, age 9, and their divorce was anything but quiet. Married in 2013 and divorced in 2020, the exes endured a prolonged legal battle over custody, property, and support. Court records and reporting from multiple outlets show that their divorce concluded with a 2022 ruling that awarded Brandon $115,000 per month in spousal support until January 2024 and $45,600 per month in child support.

Blackstock, who died at age 48 after a private battle with melanoma, was remembered in an obituary that paints a new chapter in his life. That obituary refers to Brittney Marie Jones as his “beautiful and loving partner in life,” a detail that made headlines. The obit also details that Blackstock and Jones were building businesses together, including Headwaters Livestock Auction and a project called The Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman, Montana. Notably, Clarkson is not mentioned in the obituary, which matters because the public loves unresolved emotional punctuation marks.

Band Together Texas remains on, with a lineup stacked with country and Americana names such as Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum, who organized the benefit, along with Ryan Bingham, Jack Ingram, Cody Johnson, Lyle Lovett, Lukas Nelson, Ronnie Dunn, and the Randy Rogers Band. The benefit, being held at the Moody Center in Austin, aims to raise funds and tell stories of rescue and resilience for victims and first responders affected by the July floods in Texas, according to the event press release. So yes, it is still a feel-good fundraiser, even if one high-profile headliner will not be performing.

Now for the curious bits people will dissect in between sips of their iced lattes. Clarkson’s cancellation came mere days after the obit’s mention of Brittney Jones, which led to a flurry of headlines and social media chatter. That timing, combined with the pair’s acrimonious divorce history and those substantial court-ordered payments, gives tabloids a field day. But let us be clear about what is verified: Brandon Blackstock passed away August 3 following a private battle with melanoma, he was 48, the obituary names Brittney Jones as his partner, Clarkson pulled out of the August 17 benefit as organizers confirmed via Instagram, and the Band Together Texas lineup still includes a number of major country acts who will perform to raise flood relief funds.

There is no credible reporting that Clarkson’s cancellation signals anything beyond personal reasons connected to her ex’s death and the family fallout that often follows such events. Reps for Clarkson have been contacted by outlets such as The Post for comment, but official statements have been limited to the event organizers’ Instagram message and the obituary details shared publicly. For folks who like narrative arcs, the plot includes grief, legal history, and a tidy list of concert replacements. For those who prefer facts, the sequence is simple: death, obituary, cancellation, fundraiser carries on.

Watch for official statements from Clarkson’s camp or additional updates to the Band Together Texas roster as the event date approaches. The emotional logistics of celebrity families are messy, and sometimes a canceled stage appearance is the clearest sign someone is sorting their private life in public view.

And yes, people will keep guessing. Let the speculation begin, but do try to remember the human details amid the headlines.

That is all for now. Try not to make anything worse on social media.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and People, New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed