Blake Shelton has sold out large arenas, had multi-week chart-topping singles, been a TV star and more. But his biggest accomplishment to date is becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
“I’ve had some big moments,” Shelton tells Access Hollywood. “But I gotta say, when Trace Adkins walked out on stage and asked me to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry, it fell like the Nashville family at that point, I felt like they wrapped their arms around me and I felt like I was one of them — one of them meaning that my heroes that I heard on the radio growing up and saw on TV. That was still a big deal for me.”
Shelton recently hosted Opry 100: A Live Celebration, streaming now on Peacock. It was the perfect fit for Shelton, who has been a vocal supporter of the Opry since his career began.
“Becoming a member of the Opry is a highlight of my life and career, and 15 years later I still get that same feeling of reverence and excitement every time I walk out on that stage,” Shelton says. “The Grand Ole Opry has been connecting the country music family for 100 years, and I’m so proud to be part of this historic celebration.”
Shelton’s new For Recreational Use Only album will be released on May 9. The project includes a duet, “Hangin’ On,” with his wife, Gwen Stefani.
“It’s actually a break-up song that’s about breaking up and still trying to stay together,” Shelton reveals. “That’s the title, ‘Hangin’ On.’ It’s really no reflection of where Gwen and I are, in our relationship, I hope. But it’s a bada– country song, and we wanted to do it. It’s a song that pushes us vocally, and we just loved the song. We’re to a point in our lives, we just want to do songs that we love, and then see what happens I guess later.”
For Recreational Use Only, his first on BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, also includes both his Top 10 hit, “Texas,” and “Let Him In Anyway.” The latter, written by HARDY, Zach Crowell and Jameson Rodgers, is one of the more emotional songs that Shelton has ever released.
“‘Let Him In Anyway’ is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever had the chance to record,” Shelton says. “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.”
See a track list for For Recreational Use Only below. Pre-order the record, and find all of Shelton’s music and tour dates at BlakeShelton.com.
For Recreational Use Only Tracklist:
1. Stay Country or Die Tryin’ – (Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis, Beau Bailey)
2. Texas – (Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman)
3. Hangin’ On (feat. Gwen Stefani) – (Sam Ellis, Charles Kelley, Greylan James)
4. Strangers – (Michael Hardy, Zach Crowell, Jameson Rodgers)
5. Let Him In Anyway – (Michael Hardy, Zach Abend, Kyle Clark, Carson Wallace)
6. Heaven Sweet Home (feat. Craig Morgan) – (Chris Tompkins, Sarah Buxton, Jake Rose)
7. Life’s Been Comin’ Too Fast – (Craig Wiseman, David Lee Murphy, Lindsay Rimes)
8. Don’t Mississippi – (Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Ben Hayslip, Josh Osborne)
9. All of My Love – (Colton Swon, Zach Swon)
10. Cold Can – (Bobby Pinson, Josh Osborne, Andrew DeRoberts)
11. The Keys – (Jay Brunswick, Brock Berryhill, Bobby Pinson)
12. Years (feat. John Anderson) – (Pat McLaughlin, John Anderson, David Ferguson, Daniel Auerbach)
Photo Credit: Courtesy of NBC / Jasoon Kempin for Getty Images