The Boot (Jan. 25th 2011)

Blake Shelton counts on fans to prep him for ACM co-host gig

Blake Shelton is extending his first headlining tour into this year. The 2011 All About Tonight tour will launch in LaCrosse, Wis., this Friday (January 28). Blake's rotating opening acts will include Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia, the Band Perry and Chris Young.

"I'm excited to get back out there and perform for my fans," says Blake. "They made last year the best year of my life and I hope to make each night of this tour one of the most memorable nights of their lives."

Having been added to this year's ACM Awards as co-host, Blake adds, "I'm hoping this tour will prepare me for co-hosting the ACM awards with the queen of country music, Reba. There's no better practice as my fans are always great at keeping me on my toes."

As far as his shows, Blake knows the energy on stage has changed quite a bit since he made his debut 10 years ago with 'Austin.' "It used to be all about just getting up there and hurrying through all your album cuts to perform the one hit they've heard," the singer tells The Boot. "These days, we have a show full of hits, which is awesome. It's interesting, because when that moment comes when you walk up on the stage, there's an awesome loud applause and people, including myself, are pumped. Then, after the first song, they get really laid-back and I think they really want to hear what I'm about to say every time I'm about to say something. I don't get up there and just scream things to just try to get the crowd going. I try to say things that matter and are interesting to them. It's not until we get to about the last four or five songs that it ramps up again.”