WIOV FM (Sept. 20th 2012)

Blake Shelton values country music over ‘The Voice’ fame

via The Boot

Blake Shelton's current single, "Over," from his latest album Red River Blue, has a distinctly more pop sound than some of his other hits. But in spite of that -- and the country superstar's foray into TV stardom, thanks to "The Voice" -- Blake insists he isn't trying to become a crossover sensation.

"I made Red River Blue before 'The Voice' even happened,'" Blake explains (quote via Lancaster, Pa., radio station WIOV). "We were done with that record and it just kind of happened that way."

The four-time CMA nominee (including Entertainer of the Year) says that regardless of the success of the No. 1 country tune, which peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as well, he has no interest in making music just to appeal to a wider audience. "I don't want to ever lose my core out there," the singer maintains. "I don't want them to feel like, 'Oh, you know, he's Hollywood now.'"

Blake is currently taping a third season of "The Voice" but makes it clear his priorities have nothing to do with TV stardom. "The most important thing that I have going in my life right now is this momentum at radio. It's just so exciting. That's way more important to me than 'The Voice' or any other things that I may have going on."

The singer-songwriter appears on the TV talent competition alongside fellow coaches Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Christina Aguilera and while he has signed on for another season in early 2013 (with Usher and Shakira replacing Cee Lo and Christina), he remains wary of the series taking up too much of his time.

"I love doing [the show]," Blake said, "and I hope to continue doing it forever. But they have to work with me so I can also tour. I just think taping two seasons a year is too much. The four of us cannot remain viable artists if we're taping back-to-back seasons of the show.”