The Tennessean (Nov. 7th 2014)

Shelton ties Gill in consecutive wins

Blake Shelton was speechless -- it doesn't happen often. But backstage at the CMA Awards on Wednesday night, the "Neon Light" singer was asked about tying Vince Gill for most consecutive wins in the male vocalist category with five. For a minute, he didn't know what to say.

"I was looking through this CMA book that listed the past winners, and I was seeing names that I was excited about," Shelton said. "George Jones, Ronnie Milsap was on there ... and Vince Gill and George Strait. To be in that category with those two guys, it's beyond a dream come true. That's stupid. It as alarming to me to not see Dan Seals and Earl Thomas Conley or even Conway Twitty ... their names weren't on there and to know that I'm standing here holding this thing and to know that those guys never even got one, it freaked me out a little bit."

Shelton said he was excited and shocked that these accolades are happening at this point in his career, well more than 10 years after his first appearance on the CMA Awards. He explained it as "beyond a dream come true."

"I could not be a happier human being with the way this night has gone," Shelton said. "I told my wife (Miranda Lambert) as we were walking off the stage, I go, and 'Man I'm sorry, you only won four CMAs tonight. I'm really sorry.' For me and my family, this is maybe the biggest night of our lives as far as the music industry goes."