Oklahoma native Blake Shelton just released Hillbilly Bone, a cool six-pack of new tunes designed to quench fans’ thirst for new music long enough for him to complete his next full-length album. “I talk to my fans every day and the first question they ask me is, ‘When are you going to release a new record?’” Shelton fans whose whistles are still wet for a full 12-pack (or more) will have to wait a little longer, but hey, these 6 songs taste mighty good right now.
Boneing Up On Blake: Blake Shelton knew what he wanted to do with his life before he left high school. At just 16 years old, he was already the toast of the town and a star in his state after winning the Denbo Diamond Award, the top trophy for talented teen Oklahoma entertainers. And almost as fast as you could say class dismissed, he bolted out of high school, out of Oklahoma, and moved to Nashville.
Once in Music City, Shelton once again wasted very little time taking his eyes off the prize, getting several of his songs published by three of the top music publishers in town: Warner/Chappell Music, Naomi Martin Music, and Jerry Crutchfield Music. Chomping at the bit to get behind the mic himself, he cut his first track, “Austin,” in 2001. Not unlike its creator, the single off his self-titled debut album wasted very little time reaching its goal: it shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Songs chart, and stayed there for 5 weeks running. Two more successful singles (“All Over Me,” “Ol’ Red”) followed “Austin” onto the charts.
Again, not letting any grass grow under his feet, Shelton issued his second album, The Dreamer, in 2003. That album’s success was fueled by another top 10 track, “The Baby.” Less than a year passed before fans were treated to his third studio album, 2004’s Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill, and first DVD, Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill: A Video Collection. Finally deciding to take a breather in between albums, Shelton waited until 2007 to release his fourth set, Pure BS, which was quickly followed by 2008’s Startin’ Fires.
With fans now accustomed to getting new music on a regular basis throughout his career, Shelton felt compelled to give the people what they wanted by issuing the 6-song Hillbilly Bone. The songs include “Kiss My Country Ass,” “You’ll Always Be Beautiful,” “Can’t Afford to Love You,” “Delilah,” “Almost Alright,” and the title track featuring Trace Adkins, which currently occupies the No. 4 spot on the Billboard Country Songs chart. So for now, a six-pack of Shelton’s finest will have to do, but, as always, he’s thinking of you…and the next round. “I want to give my fans new music more often and at a lower price.” Think of it as the musical equivalent of happy hour!
Table For Two: You have a reservation to join Blake and Trace Adkins, so watch the official video for “Hillbilly Bone”:
As A Matter of Fact…
* Blake Shelton was born June 18, 1976 in Ada, OK.
* Songwriter Mae Boren Axton (“Heartbreak Hotel”) encouraged a young Shelton to move to Nashville to start his career; 2 weeks out of high school he did so.
* Another successful songwriter, Bobby Braddock (Tammy Wynette’s “D.I.V.O.R.C.E.”), produced Shelton’s self-titled debut album.
* Blake, whose been dating fellow country star Miranda Lambert since 2006, will be performing March 18 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.