Blake Shelton just announced the release of For Recreational Use Only, his next album. The record, out on May 9, includes a duet with his wife, Gwen Stefani, on “Hangin’ On.”
Shelton and Stefani began dating in 2015. His 2016 record, If I’m Honest, included “Go Ahead and Break My Heart,” which the two wrote and recorded together. Since then, Shelton and Stefani have released several other duets, for both of their projects. It’s a pattern Shelton has no plans of changing.
“I don’t feel like I want to make a record without a duet with Gwen on it anymore,” Shelton says on the Today Show. “She’s my favorite person to sing with.”
It’s not surprising that Stefani’s three sons have also shown an interest in music which is why Shelton hasn’t completely ruled out them all performing together at some point.
“That would be a lot of fun,” Shelton says. “I know that that would be Gwen’s dream come true is to have a family band or something like that,”
Shelton has a Top 10 hit with Texas,” the debut single from For Recreational Use Only. Shelton also released another song, “Let Him In Anyway,” from his new project.
“‘Let Him In Anyway’ is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever had the chance to record,” Shelton says of the song, which was written by HARDY, Zach Crowell and Jameson Rodgers. “HARDY is a co-writer and a friend, and I’ve never heard a song like this before. When I first listened to it, I knew it was something special. It’s an honor to bring it to life, and I’m incredibly proud of the record we made.”
Shelton is serving as the host of Opry 100: A Live Celebration. The three-hour celebration, airing on Wednesday, May 19 at 8:00 PM ET on NBC, features the majority of the living Grand Ole Opry artists, including Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Dierks Bentley and more.
“It’s gonna be like a family reunion back there,” Shelton says. “The real show’s probably going to be going on backstage.”
Trace Adkins invited Shelton to join the Grand Ole Opry in 2010, also inducting him later that year. For Shelton, it is by far his proudest accomplishment to date.
“Trace came out and asked me if I wanted to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry, which was one of the biggest moments of my life,” Shelton says. “That may be the biggest moment of my musical career … To stand in this circle, it’s the top of the mountain. It’s the pinnacle. This is bigger than a Grammy or any award.”
Opry 100: A Live Celebration will also stream on Peacock. Pre-order For Recreational Use Only, and find all of Shelton’s music and tour dates at BlakeShelton.com.