People Magazine (Feb. 8th 2016)

MusiCares Spotlight: Lionel Richie

Blake Shelton, nominated for best country duo/group performance, honors Lionel Richie, the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year

Your pal Lionel Richie is being honored for his creative accomplishments and charitable contributions over the years. What’s he like as a friend?

There’s the creative side of Lionel Richie, which is unmatched, but then there’s the man. If you ever get the chance to just meet him and know who he is as a human being, that’s the only thing that may actually trump just how brilliant he is. He’s a great dude. I hope everybody gets a chance to meet him someday.

You two teamed up for the 2012 duet “You Are.” What is your favorite memory of working with him?

There was a moment where we were singing together in the studio. My verse was over, and he started his. I looked over, and it wasn’t until that moment that I really realized who I was singing with and had the chance to record with. It was kind of an out-of-body experience. I snuck a picture and sent it to my sister! We grew up being such big fans of his.

So what’s your favorite Lionel Richie song?

Actually, it’s ours—“You Are.” It was so cool recording with him, and he was able to make that song country.