Shelton of ‘The Voice’ brings stellar country credentials to Arena
Blake Shelton’s following expanded after he joined NBC’s “The Voice” as a coach. Fortunately, his head has not, said Justin Moore, who’s opening for the country superstar at the Spokane Arena tonight.
“No, Blake is about as down to earth as they come. He really is a great guy,” said Moore, who has also toured with Shelton’s wife, country star Miranda Lambert.
“I’ve become big buddies over the year with Miranda; we toured a lot together. So, it’s fun to be out with Blake now. I’m actually trying to get them to adopt me, now that they’ve both had me on the tour,” he joked. “I wouldn’t have to work as much if I have them adopt me.”
Shelton’s profile has never been higher. He was nominated for three Grammy Awards. He and Lambert sang “America the Beautiful” during a pregame ceremony at the Super Bowl. After that, he was on the season two debut of “The Voice.”
“Red River Blue,” Shelton’s latest album, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard in 2011 and featured his ninth and 10th No. 1 country hits with “Honeybee” and “God Gave Me You.” He was voted Favorite Male Country Artist at the American Music Awards and won his second Male Vocalist of the Year honor from the Country Music Association.
With all that going for him, fame could go to his head. But Dia Frampton, his protege on “The Voice,” said he’s no George Valentin. Shelton readily agreed to sing with her on “I Will,” featured on “Red,” her new CD.
“He said, without a second’s hesitation, ‘Yes, of course. When would you like to do it? I really like the song,’ ” she recalled.
He also “personally asked” her to join his tour. “He kind of said, ‘Hey, it’s a country tour; I don’t know if that’d make you uncomfortable. But it’s up to you. We would love to have you.’ ”
Shelton said while “The Voice” catapulted his career to new heights, it also keeps him humble.
“When you work that closely with a bunch of people trying desperately to make it in this business, you can’t help but see yourself in them a little bit,” Shelton told the Oklahoman. “They reminded (me), you know, how lucky I am that I’m in this position, because that was me not long ago.”