The Times Herald (April 15th 2004)

Shelton vows ‘no regrets’ for music

Blake Shelton never had any reservations about heading off to Nashville two weeks after graduating from high school.

"I knew that (music) was really the only thing I was passionate about," he said. "It was worth it to me to take the chance. I knew I'd always regret it if I didn't."

A decade and four top 20 country singles later, he still is pushing himself to avoid any future regrets.

"Since my first hit, we've been on the road, and I haven't come back yet," Shelton said. "I don't want to look back and say, `If I'd just worked more, maybe it would have lasted longer.'"

His latest tour swings through Port Huron on Friday for a show at McMorran Place sponsored by WSAQ-FM (107.1). The radio station distributed all of the tickets through promotions and on-the-air giveaways.

The show's opening act will be Taya Lear of Clyde Township and John Grundy of Port Huron. The local singers shared the title of a karaoke contest to win the chance to open Friday's concert.

Shelton, 27, was raised in Ada, Okla. His official Web site states his first musical influence was his Uncle Darrell (pronounced Dearl), who showed him how to play a few simple guitar chords.

"I was in awe of him because he could play the guitar," Shelton said. "I don't think he ever expected me to make a career out of this back when I was 14 or 15 and he was showing me how to pluck out on the guitar."

In Nashville he worked odd jobs, including sign painting, before landing a publishing deal. His debut CD went gold in 2002, driven by the ballad Austin and story-song Ol' Red.

While Shelton's music is slick enough for modern country radio, he prides himself on infusing his music with some neo-traditionalist energy.

"It seems to be more of a traditional sound coming out of Nashville again," he said. "I'm loving that. It sounds like the same stuff that got me excited about country music years ago."

Shelton has a new single, When Somebody Knows You That Well, getting national airplay, and a third CD is scheduled for release this summer.