Blake II Grand Opening of Ole Red Gatlinburg

Blake went to the grand opening of Ole Red Gatlinburg, participating in a press avail before later performing a set.

Blake Shelton shows his love for East Tennessee with 2-hour Ole Red Gatlinburg concert

Blake Shelton displayed his love for Gatlinburg and East Tennessee as a whole on Wednesday night

Shelton performed at least 25 of his hits during a more than two hour set for a packed Ole Red Gatlinburg. The venue’s two floors were filled up, and more people congregated outside, where speakers broadcasted the concert.

“I want you all to know that I’m going to do a crapload of songs tonight, OK. I’m … not going to do eight songs and leave, so … go get yourself a beer and stay hydrated with some vodka like I do … We’re going to be here for a little while. I hope that’s OK with y’all,” said Shelton.

The restaurant, bar and music venue is in the middle of its “Spring Blake” grand opening celebration. Shelton’s concert was part of the festivities.

He performed a mix of his older and newer music including “God Gave Me You,” “I Lived It,” “Sure Be Cool If You Did,” “Hillbilly Bone,” “Neon Light,” “Some Beach” and of course, “Ol’ Red.”

Shelton’s charisma shined throughout the show. He’s an experienced performer, but he’s also stayed true to his irreverent nature by joking with the audience about drinking and getting sassy with members of his band.

During the show, he also put the venue’s stage and $300,000 sound system through its paces, and Ole Red Gatlinburg doesn’t disappoint. You could hear every word Shelton sang above fans cheers and applause, and his vocals and the music backing him never sounded too loud.

In addition to Shelton’s lengthy set, he praised Knoxville native and country icon Con Hunley and brought him and his family on stage.

“I’m going to do something really special here right now. One of my all time favorite artists happens to be from this area. It’s a guy by the name of Con Hunley,” said Shelton.

“And I want Con Hunley to come out here and do a few songs for y’all ‘cause this is one of the guys I grew up listening to.”

Hunley and his family performed three songs during the middle of Shelton’s set including "She Ain't You," "Week-End Friend" and "You Lay a Whole Lot of Love on Me."

“What a treat. What a real treat. What about Blake Shelton, ladies and gentlemen? Unbelievable," said Hunley. "I watch him all the time and listen to his music. He’s just real. He is just real. That’s what I love about him. We are so proud to be here at the grand opening of Ole Red."

While Shelton spent most of his time on stage, he took time to talk to the audience and told them how he felt about the area.

He recalled visiting Gatlinburg with his girlfriend Gwen Stefani around New Year’s.

“I stayed here over New Year’s for about three days and I had my girlfriend Gwen was here with me … anyway … I wish she was here tonight because I swear to God nobody loves this area more than her," said Shelton.

"She fell in love with this place, and I did too to the part where literally by the end of each day, I was wishing to God that Ole Red was already open because I needed a drink so damn bad. I mean everywhere she looked ‘Ziplining? We’re doing that. Indoor sledding. Let’s go.’ Like everything we could do, we did, so in honor of that week, y’all have a drink with me.”

Ole Red Gatlinburg’s “Spring Blake” celebration will continue throughout this week featuring concerts from former contestants on “The Voice.”