Oklahoma State U (Nov. 18th 2005)

Life Just Keeps Getting Better for Blake Shelton

When originally given the assignment to interview Blake Shelton about his upcoming show in Stillwater, Okla., I'll admit, I was a little excited. I may not be the biggest country music fan out there, but I can definitely appreciate a good song every now and then. So when his publicist let me know Shelton would be calling in about five minutes, I hurriedly prepared myself and waited for the call.

What I was expecting, I don't really remember. However, what I did receive was the chance to talk to an Oklahoma native who is genuinely excited about his first stop in Stillwater.

"I was born and raised in Ada, Okla., but somehow I've never been to Stillwater," Shelton said. "I've never been to Tumbleweed or seen the inside of Eskimo Joe's even though I've worn their T-shirts my whole life, so it's just something that I need to do."

Shelton will be taking a quick break from the Here's To You tour with Rascal Flatts to appear Saturday night at the Tumbleweed alongside fellow country singer Joe Nichols.

"This is actually the third show we've done so far; me and him had been talking about doing a show together for a long time because we've known each other for so long," Shelton said. "We flip-flop who will be headlining; it'll be my turn this week for Stillwater, and then next time I'll open for Joe."

"It's really nothing more than two good friends who like to make music together."

Shelton said he is looking forward to playing in a college town like Stillwater.

"It's normally a lot of fun, especially for Joe and I because a lot of our audience is younger like that, just because we're younger than a lot of artists," he said. "That's just the kind of crowd that we draw. One of my buddies from Ada, who is now my merchandise manager, graduated from OSU, so this will be his favorite show of the year."

Although Shelton claims that he can appreciate other kinds and genres of music, country is what he was born to do.

He said, "Because of where I come from and what comes out of my mouth when I talk and sing, it doesn't sound like anything else but country."

And country music is obviously what he does best. After his first album, "The Dreamer," came out 2001, his single "Austin" topped the charts for five weeks and tied with Billy Ray Cyrus' 1992 smash "Achy Breaky Heart" as the longest-running No. 1 song for a new male singer.

Shelton credits his success as a music artist to songwriter and producer Bobby Braddock.

"It took a while, probably almost two years after we met before we decided that we wanted to try to work together as far as that artist/producer relationship goes, and I'm glad that we did," he said. "About three months after we recorded, he had me a record deal. I think Bobby single-handedly got me my record deal and made sure I was taken care of in those early days."

With that record deal came the opportunities of a lifetime for Shelton. In addition to producing two top-selling albums, he is also on tour with country superstars Rascall Flatts.

"I really took a chance going with them back in January, right whenever they were just really taking off, and it turns out that it was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in terms of career moves," Shelton said. "I'm in front of anywhere from 12,000 to 25,000 people a night.'

Shelton also gave me a little insight on a new album he's working on.

"We've cut about 10 songs, it'll be pretty similar as far as the state of mind and feel of the barn and grill album," Shelton said. "It'll sound like it came from that album, and when you sit down and listen to it, you'll definitely be able to make that connection."

Shelton has already written a song with country music giant (as well as his all-time favorite singer) Earl Thomas Conley, and will be working on his new album with other singers such as George Jones, John Anderson and the Bellamy Brothers.

"I'm at the point now where I'm getting to do things that I've always dreamed of doing as far as being a country singer; it just keeps getting better," Shelton said.

So does he have any big plans for his stay in Stillwater?

"I have a lot of family that will be driving up from Ada and Oklahoma City to spend some time with me, but I hope to get over to Eskimo Joe's though and check that place out," Shelton said. "I'm really looking forward to being in Stillwater for the first time, and with me and Joe both there I really think it's going to be a crazy time."

Blake Shelton will be appearing alongside Joe Nichols Saturday night at the Tumbleweed. Doors will open at 8, and the concert will start at 10.