The Boot (May 19th 2011)

Blake Shelton names new album ‘Red River Blue’

Blake Shelton rushed to put the finishing touches on his forthcoming ninth studio album last month, so he could turn it in to his label in time for its release July 12. The singer did not even have a name for the new project ... that is, until now. The album will be titled 'Red River Blue.'

Knowing he would be taking time off to spend with his lovely bride, Miranda Lambert, this month and how busy he would be with his commitments to his role as a coach on NBC's 'The Voice,' Blake and his producer Scott Hendricks spent several long days in the recording studio at the end of April to track the rest of the album.

"There's a handful of things that people would expect from me about in-breeding and drinking and dogs stuck together and stuff like that," Blake tells The Boot of 'Red River Blue.' "But there will be plenty of positive, fun love songs, because that's where I'm at right now. I mean, I'm getting married in a month and about to have my manhood cut, but I'm happy about it for a change. I'm ready for that part of my life."

One of the reasons the album will arrive in stores a few months before originally planned is due to the success of the first single from the new album, 'Honey Bee,' which has been rocketing up the country charts and snagging more than 138,000 in digital sales during its first week.

"I feel like right now if I've got a single that's exploding, easily my fastest climber, I don't want to do something like wait and put [the album] out in the fall," Blake told the Associated Press. "It's when you rally the troops and say, 'Man, we've got to get this thing done.’"