Associated Press (Nov. 6th 2013)

Legend inspires newer acts

[edited version]

Blake Shelton, star of The Voice and a recent voting favourite, is going for his second straight win after a victory in 2012 that stunned even him.

And Jason Aldean and Bryan certainly deserve a call to the stage for the way they've helped transform the genre.

To win, they'd have to have overcome the general respect for Strait's career, which is deep. Take Shelton's view of his place in music history.

"In my opinion when all is said and done," Shelton said in an email, "there will be two artists viewed as the greatest influences on country music: Hank Williams Sr. and George Strait."