To celebrate her first time ever singing on the Grammy stage (which is honestly shocking given being in the industry for nearly 50 years), Reba McEntire not only delivered a stellar performance but also followed it up with a special release.
On Sunday night, February 1, the country legend performed her 2025 song, “Trailblazer” at the 69th award ceremony. Originally recorded with fellow female artists Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson, McEntire recently released a new “Dream Chaser” version featuring Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brandy Clark and 2026 Grammy nominee and Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson.
With Clark completely rewriting the song to honor more “trailblazers” and Reba serving as a co-producer, the updated track showcases multi-generational vocals and pays tribute to “recently lost members of the creative community.” During her Grammy performance, McEntire sang in honor of her late stepson, Brandon Blackstock, who lost his battle with cancer in August 2025.
During an on-carpet interview, McEntire spoke with interviewer Zuri Hall from ‘Live From E!’ saying, “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.” Adding to the tear-jerking acoustic performance, photos of some recently lost icons flashed across the screen.
Along with the heartfelt moment, McEntire also earned her 18th career Grammy nomination for “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” for the original version of the song with Lambert and Wilson. This new stripped-down rendition highlights Reba’s powerful vocals, complemented by a touching violin and beautiful harmonies from her collaborators. Fitting for the night’s occasion, the new verses pay tribute to fallen artists, including the line: “I saw them on the Grammys, I heard them on the radio, they taught me how to write, how to hold on tight in this rhinestone rodeo.”
Listen to the full song here: