Drake Milligan had a night to remember this past Saturday, March 29, when he stepped on stage to open for country superstar Blake Shelton in Fishers, Indiana — but what started as a regular opening set quickly turned into a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
The former America’s Got Talent standout was doing what he does best — delivering his signature blend of classic country charm and modern grit — at the Fishers Event Center, thinking his time in the spotlight was over. But Shelton had a surprise up his sleeve.
Midway through Shelton’s set, he called Milligan back to the stage for a duet that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Together, the two country crooners launched into a spirited rendition of George Strait’s iconic 1987 hit “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.”
With Shelton slinging his arm around Milligan’s shoulder and encouraging the crowd to sing along, the energy in the venue shifted from big show to backyard jam session. Milligan’s rich baritone and Shelton’s smooth twang blended seamlessly as they belted out the familiar chorus:
“All my exes live in Texas / And Texas is a place I’d dearly love to be / But all my exes live in Texas / And that’s why I hang my hat in Tennessee.”
Both artists were all smiles, clearly having just as much fun as the audience. For Milligan, it was more than just a cool duet — it was a career milestone. He later took to social media to reflect on the unforgettable moment.
“Opened up for Blake Shelton for the first time this weekend and had no idea he was gonna pull me back out to sing some George Strait with him,” he wrote. “Such a cool moment. Thanks for havin’ us, Blake!!”
Fans flooded the comment section with love, praising Milligan’s performance and celebrating how far he’s come since his time on America’s Got Talent. Some even admitted they were jealous of those lucky enough to witness the moment live.
While this was Milligan’s only scheduled appearance with Shelton for 2025, it certainly won’t be the last fans see of him this year. The rising star is continuing to build momentum with his Jukebox Songs World Tour 2025, which picks back up on April 4 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The tour is named after his 2024 EP, Jukebox Songs, featuring fan-favorite tracks like “Don’t Leave Me Loving You” and “I Got A Problem.”
As for Shelton, he recently wrapped up his Friends & Heroes Tour alongside Craig Morgan, Deana Carter, Trace Adkins, and Emily Ann Roberts. He’s now gearing up to drop his highly anticipated new album, For Recreational Use Only, set to release May 9 via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville — marking a fresh chapter in his career.
Whether it was a surprise duet or a major album drop, Saturday night proved one thing: country music is alive and well, and artists like Drake Milligan are helping carry the torch into the next generation.
