Blake Shelton just announced he was returning to TV in 2025, with a brand-new show, The Road, in partnership with Yellowstone‘s Taylor Sheridan. The new series, looking for aspiring singers all over the country, is a return for Shelton, who left The Voice in 2023, after 23 seasons, to free up more time to spend with his wife, Gwen Stefani, and her three boys from her first marriage.
Now dipping his toe into reality TV talent shows again, albeit with a much easier schedule than he had on The Voice, the 48-year-old has no regrets about taking the time off to be with his three stepsons.
“I haven’t been doing much, which was the point,” Shelton said on Country Countdown USA. “I did The Voice for 12 years. It took over my life. The whole idea was to get some life in before it’s too late. We have three kids, and I try to spend time with them. I’ve had a couple years since I retired from The Voice, and it still doesn’t feel that long.”
Shelton was replaced by Reba McEntire, who is enjoying her third season as a coach this season. The Oklahoma native still occasionally watches the show that made him a household name, although not as much as some might expect.
“I saw Reba on the show, because Gwen was on that season,” Shelton said. “But I didn’t watch a lot. If I watch at all these days, it’s when Gwen’s on the show. I sat through 23 seasons in my red chair, so if I miss a few episodes these days, you can’t blame me.”
Shelton was open about his reason for leaving The Voice when the news was announced, and his desire to have a more present role in the lives of his three stepsons.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of NBC
“If I walked away from my career at this time, the only thing that I run the risk of is having regrets that I’m missing out on some more important things in life,” Shelton told People. “For now, that’s our kids. This isn’t about me anymore and never will be again.
“Even though I’m a stepparent, I take that job very seriously,” he remarked. “The kids see me as a very important person in their life. [When they ask], ‘Why isn’t Blake here?’ I take that stuff to heart. I’ve made plenty of money, but you can’t buy time back. I don’t want any regrets.”
In addition to being on The Road, Shelton is also working on new music. He just announced the release of a new song, “Texas,” out on Friday, November 15. The song is the debut single from an upcoming new album, his first on BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, after leaving his longtime record label, Warner Music Nashville, earlier this year.
“The thing that struck me about ‘Texas’ immediately was how different it sounded for me, and I’m always looking to push myself,” Shelton said when announcing the song’s release. “I think there’s something really special about this record and important for me.”
“This is the perfect opportunity to come back with something so different, and it easily felt like it should be the first single,” he continued. “It’s connected with what I’ve done but moves forward at the same time, and it’s the perfect start to the next chapter of my career.”
Shelton will kick off his Friends & Heroes Tour 2025 on February 27 in Lexington, Kentucky, joined by Trace Adkins, plus Craig Morgan, Deana Carter and Emily Ann Roberts. Find all of Shelton’s music and tour dates, and pre-order/pre-save “Texas,” at BlakeShelton.com.