There’s little doubt this is Blake Shelton’s year. Not only did he marry his longtime love, country crooner Miranda Lambert, in May, but his musical star is at an all-time high. His single “Honey Bee” recently became his fourth consecutive No. 1 single, and his recently released album, “Red River Blue,” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s country and album charts the week of its release.
“Ten years into my career, it’s starting to bust wide open,” Shelton told Parade magazine. “I’m glad it’s happening this way, because if it had happened earlier, I don’t know that I would appreciate it like I do now.”
| Onstage |
| Blake Shelton |
| When: 7 p.m. Saturday |
| Where: Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium |
| Info: $42.50; 410-982-0799; missiontix.com |
Although he parlayed his songwriting into a No. 1 hit single, “Austin,” in 2001 and saw some success in the years that followed, his star really sparkled in 2010 when he released two six-song releases, “Hillbilly Bone” followed by “All About Tonight.” Then when “Honey Bee” was released off his latest album, it became the fastest download single to be certified gold by Recording Industry Association of American, according to CMT.
Its success took everyone by surprise, said Shelton.
“We put that [song] out there with only about half an album done and we had to get in there and finish the thing,” he said in a video about making the song. “Luckily, we already had about six things cut so we had to cut about six or seven things more. We had to do it all in about two weeks, which is not easy, but when things are good and it’s exciting, you’re pumped to get in the studio.”
Shelton is also juggling a host of high-profile appearances including joining Reba McEntire to host the Academy of Country Music Awards show in April and his current stint as judge and vocal coach for the NBC series “The Voice.”
Yet none of the awards, chart placements or celebrity encounters seems to be going to Shelton’s head. Instead, he’s keeping his head down to ensure he meets the goals he has set for himself.
“I’m still just a country singer,” Shelton told radio station KNCI. “That has to be my focus to get where I want to go. That’s doing what [Garth Brooks] does, and what Brad Paisley does, and Kenny Chesney does. That’s what I want to do, still, and I’m not there yet.”
