The Observer (March 19th 2004)

Country musician Blake Shelton coming to Port Huron

Knowing that college wasn't for him was a risky choice for the then high school graduate Blake Shelton.

The country music sensation from Oklahoma decided then that he would move to Nashville to pursue his dream of becoming a singer.

"They (my parents) were nervous but I knew I didn't want to go to college. All I wanted to do was music," Shelton told The Observer.

The singer admits that there were a few lean years in the country music capital when he painted signs and held other odd jobs to finance his musical dreams.

The singer said looking back, taking the risk was "the only option."

And the risk paid off for the gutsy singer. His debut self- titled album had a number one single and his second album Dreamer is getting huge airplay.

"It's one of those moments when everything comes full circle," said Shelton about when he first heard his music on the radio.

Shelton will perform at McMorran Place in Port Huron, Mich. on April 16 at 7:30 p.m.

"In my concerts, we just kind of wing it, we just play it by ear, we always do my hits and a lot of things from the albums but we do a lot of stuff just playing off the audience. You know, the reason I got into this business was to perform for audiences," said Shelton

The 27-year old singer and songwriter began his career at 16- years-old when he gained statewide attention when he won the Denbo Diamond Award, the top award for young Oklahoma entertainers.

The singer has been nominated for a number of CMA, ACM, AMA, CMT and Country Weekly awards. He was nominated for Top New Male Vocalist and Single of the Year at the 2002 American Country Music awards.

He has been touring nonstop adding he is working "all the time."