Blake Shelton, a renowned country music star, has also gained fame as a coach on the popular TV show The Voice. Born on June 18, 1976, in Ada, Oklahoma, Shelton ventured to Nashville at 17, aiming to establish himself as a songwriter. By 2001, he achieved stardom with his debut single, “Austin,” which topped the charts. Over the years, Shelton has amassed numerous awards and released a series of successful albums, including his 2017 release, Texoma Shore.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Blake Tollison Shelton was born and raised in Ada, Oklahoma. At 16, he was already making a name for himself, touring local bars and winning the Denbo Diamond Award, Oklahoma’s highest honor for young entertainers. After graduating high school in 1994, Shelton moved to Nashville to pursue a career in songwriting.
Music Career Highlights
Shelton’s entry into Nashville’s music scene quickly led to a recording contract with Giant Records. His blend of traditional country and blue-collar rock resonated with audiences, as evidenced by his hit song “Austin,” which stayed at No. 1 for five weeks. His debut album, Blake Shelton, released in 2002, featured hits like “All Over Me” and “Ol’ Red,” earning gold certification.
Following this success, Shelton released The Dreamer in 2003, featuring the No. 1 single “The Baby.” His subsequent albums, including Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill and Pure BS, produced several chart-topping hits like “Some Beach” and “Goodbye Time.”
In 2009, Shelton released Startin’ Fires, followed by EPs Hillbilly Bone and All About Tonight. His first greatest hits collection, Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton, showcased his success with tracks like “Hillbilly Bone” and “Kiss My Country Ass.”
The Voice and Continued Success
2011 marked a significant year for Shelton as he became a coach on The Voice. That same year, he released Red River Blue, his first album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album included hits like “Honey Bee” and “God Gave Me You.” Shelton continued his success with Cheers, It’s Christmas (2012) and Based on a True Story… (2013), the latter earning him Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year at the CMA Awards.
Shelton’s subsequent albums, Bringing Back the Sunshine (2014), If I’m Honest (2016), and Texoma Shore (2017), all performed well on the charts. His 2019 release, Fully Loaded: God’s Country, featured the award-winning single “God’s Country.”
Personal Life
Shelton’s personal life has often been in the public eye. He married Kaynette Williams in 2003, but they divorced in 2006. In 2011, he married fellow country star Miranda Lambert; however, the couple divorced in 2015. Shortly after, Shelton began a high-profile relationship with singer Gwen Stefani, his fellow coach on The Voice. The couple announced their engagement in October 2020.
In addition to his musical achievements, Shelton was named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2017, a title he humorously acknowledged in friendly rivalry with fellow The Voice coach Adam Levine.
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