Although no one waves the Okie flag higher than Blake Shelton, the state of Texas has been especially kind to him this year. The veteran country star just notched his 30th No. 1 hit with “Texas,” the lead single from his upcoming 13th studio album, For Recreational Use Only. Shelton is set to perform the chart-topping track at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards, which will take place Thursday, May 8, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Blake Shelton Talks About the Road to Texas — and the Storm That Almost Stopped Him
Despite severe rainstorms sweeping through North Texas and Southern Oklahoma, Shelton didn’t let the weather keep him from the big event. In an interview with Country Now, the 48-year-old singer recounted the stormy drive south to the ACM Awards venue.
“Just got in my truck and… freaking rain,” he said. “Went through the storm and I was excited when I crossed over into Texas. It was like, wow, I’m literally going to Texas to sing ‘Texas’ at the ACM Awards, which is pretty cool.”
A Full-Circle Moment With a New Album
It’s a poetic return for Shelton, whose debut single “Austin” — another Texas-themed song — launched his career in 2001 and spent five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Since then, he’s racked up more than two dozen No. 1s, but his musical output slowed in recent years as he focused on other ventures, including his 12-season run on The Voice and his chain of Ole Red restaurants.
His last studio album, Body Language, came out in 2021. Now, after four years, Shelton is back in the spotlight with For Recreational Use Only, which drops Friday, May 9. “Texas” marks his first release with his new label partners: BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville and Wheelhouse Records.
Shelton Reflects on the Song’s Personal Meaning
Shelton sees “Texas” as a spiritual successor to his 2019 hit “God’s Country” — both songs representing a return to his roots and a revival of purpose.
“Ken was telling me, I think how many years — five years since I’d had a number one song,” Shelton shared. “So to your point, I mean it is like a ‘God’s Country’ almost, because I was kind of starting to think, well, maybe that was it.”
Fans can catch Shelton live on stage at the ACM Awards, where he’ll not only perform “Texas” but also present during the ceremony. The event promises a night of celebration for country music’s biggest names — and for Shelton, it’s also a reminder that, even after two decades in the industry, he’s still got something to prove.
