He has scored a No. 1 hit with his debut single Austin, but Nashville newcomer Blake Shelton isn't optimistic that one of his most fiery songs will ever be heard on country radio.

Ahhh, that old adage about doing business made a big dent in Blake Shelton's life: It's not necessarily what you do - it's who you know.

Country newcomer Blake Shelton may have ripped up the country music charts last year with the hit ballad “Austin,” but there was a time not so long ago when he was just another kid who had packed up his hopes and his guitar and moved to Nashville. 

His story is cliche -- old hat, you could say. So old that, given the climate in Nashville these days, it's nearly a wonder that he has a hit on the country charts.

Blake has always stood out in the crowd, and not just because he’s 6’5" tall, with long brown hair and blue eyes. He’s truly humble, sweet, and has been working hard on his career since he was a little kid.

Sometimes, Blake Shelton says, he misses the old days. Those were the times, not so long ago, when he was barely employed as a Nashville, Tennessee, demo singer, bumming around the city's music clubs and hoping for a big break.

Blake Shelton beat the odds and broke through onto the country music scene with the release of his very first single, "Austin," which shot to the top of the singles charts.

Blake Shelton, who hit the national country music scene running, is looking forward to opening George Jones' matinee and evening performances at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on Saturday.

There may be musical differences between Nashville and Austin, but that didn’t stop Music City taking its Texas rival to the top of the charts... Walt Trott meets a singer who refuses to take credit for its success.

Blake Shelton’s first hit, “Austin,” was a stunning chart-topper, his self-titled debut album was a Top 5 smash - and the writing of his new hit, “All Over Me,” led to one of his childhood fantasies being realized.

The song that launched Blake Shelton to public recognition contains little common sense, though his nomination for favorite new country artist at tomorrow's American Music Awards show is entirely sensible.

In one month, 25-year -old country singer Blake Shelton went from being a nobody to being a somebody, and his footing is still a bit rocky.

Blake Shelton knows all about unusual twists of fate. If not for a couple of unexpected turns that proved particularly timely, he might not be looking promisingly toward the future as one of the biggest breakthrough country artists of 2001.

Shelton - whose first song, "Austin," stayed at No. 1 for five weeks - figures this might be the new crop.

Lonestar and Jamie O'Neal had already started their tour, but now Shelton is joining them. His first stop is at 8 p.m. today in the Breslin Center.

Blake Shelton had a simple goal when he released his debut single, "Austin," early this year: chart high enough to lay the foundation on which to build a career.

Singer Blake Shelton has learned how one song can turn a newcomer into a country music player.

Blake Shelton’s life reads like a made-for-TV movie. But it might be hard to convince him that he’s the star.

Blake Shelton’s debut smash sends him truckin’ in style to TV.

Blake Shelton thinks his newfound success is a harbinger for all of country music. “It’s about to bust wide open,” he predicted.