The Tennessean (Nov. 8th 2013)

Album win his favorite, Shelton says

You can always count on Blake Shelton to say something that will make you do a double take. Backstage at the CMA Awards on Wednesday night, Shelton dished out quips on everything.

But between the wisecracks, Shelton could not have been more genuine when it came to winning and losing the night's most coveted categories.

"I wanted to hand it off to another young artist coming up," Shelton joked after learning that George Strait had won entertainer of the year. "That's what should have happened. He's not just entertainer of the year, he's entertainer of the last three decades. Who's keeping score? He's King George. I couldn't be happier with how tonight turned out."

As for his album of the year win, Shelton said that was an honor he always wanted and didn't think he would ever receive.

"My first single came out 12 years ago and to get this that far away from when I started, I just thought that was one I'm not meant to have for some reason. Entertainer of the year is unbelievable, but album of the year is the one that is going to go in the center of the trophy case for me."

Shelton was further buoyed by well wishes from some of his heroes. Neal McCoy was the first person to text his congratulations. Mark Collie stopped him in the arena and told him he was proud of him. Larry Gatlin sent him a text Shelton said was hilarious.

"This has been a surreal night."