Blake Shelton spent an astonishing 23 years at the same record label, Warner Music Nashville, before announcing last fall that he was leaving the only label he had ever called home. The Oklahoma native reveals that, after more than two decades, he felt it was time for a new chapter in his professional life.

“I’m still working with Scott Hendricks, my producer,” Shelton says on Country Countdown USA. “Can’t imagine working with anyone else. He pushes me to do something different. We also have the same musicians in the studio. The only thing that’s different is we changed record labels. I felt it was time to turn the page, get some new people, and they help me feel rejuvenated again.”

Shelton has been vocal about how much Post Malone inspired him to make music again, after Post Malone asked Shelton to join him on “Pour Me A Drink” for his F-1 Trillion country album.

“Post was actually probably the reason and the thing that inspired me to get back in the studio and make new music of my own,” Shelton says. “Because of that, here I am.”

If his first single on BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, his new label home, is any indication, Shelton’s best days in country music might still be ahead of him. The 48-year-old released “Texas‘ in November, which also received the most first-week adds at radio ever in his career. The song is currently in the Top 15.

“When I first heard it, I loved the song, but I didn’t know if I could get away doing it,” Shelton shares. “The feel and sound of the song is so different from what I’d done. But that’s what kept drawing me back. So I recorded it, and we ended up having so much fun with it in the studio…There’s a hawk screaming on this record. We were doing all kinds of crazy things just because it was a blast.”

A new album announcement will likely be coming soon from Shelton, who has been working hard on his next project.

“I have some things cut, but I’m gonna keep recording until they tell me time’s up,” Shelton tells Taste of Country, adding that the new record announcement likely will be determined based on the success of “Texas.”

“The truth is they’re probably gonna wait and see what happens with this song,” Shelton explains. “Does it go fast? Does it go slow? Then they’ll probably start the clock.”

While Shelton seems likely to do an entire project, the Grand Ole Opry member says he really doesn’t care if fans buy the entire record or not.

“I don’t care how people buy music as long as they’re interested enough to buy it,” Shelton says (via WKML). “I just want to make music, and perform it, and write it. It doesn’t make me or break me as far as how people get their hands on it. As long as they want it is all I care about, ’cause I know they will find a way to get it.”

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 “Texas” and all of Shelton’s music and tour dates, and pre-order/pre-save “Texas,” at BlakeShelton.com.