Happy birthday, Blake!
Blake Shelton Bio
Blake Shelton was born on June 18, 1976 in Ada, Oklahoma. Blake first got his hands on playing the guitar in his early teens, and thereafter, began writing songs. Due to Shelton's keen interest in music, he got engaged in performances in local bars prior to pursuing a professional music career. These bar performances had led to Shelton being awarded the Denbo Diamond award. This award was exclusively granted to young entertainers that were natives of Oklahoma, as per All Music.
Shelton left Oklahoma for Nashville two weeks after his high school graduation in 1994. Blake began to pursue a country music career at that moment, as he simultaneously pitched his music to major recording companies in the latter state.
How Blake Shelton Started His Music Career
The iconic songwriter that's the brain behind the creation of George Jones' hit, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" was the man responsible for discovering Blake during the late 1990's. Jones exposed Blake's music to Giant records in 2001. After having been signed on with Giant records, the record label shut down not too long afterward. But, Blake's career picked up moving forward at the time, as Shelton was signed on to Warner records after the said shut down. Shelton's debut single, "Austin," was originally released via Giant records. Warner records took over the distribution of the single after Giant's shut down. Warner helped "Austin" climbed atop the number one spot on the country charts.
Blake Shelton's Final Bow as 'The Voice' Coach
Blake Shelton bidded goodbye to his coach position in "The Voice" after 23 seasons, and more than 12 years in the job. As per Billboard, Gwen Stefani's other half bidded farewell as a coach after Tuesday's finale (May 23rd) of "The Voice." Blake looked back on the bittersweet memories he has had through the years of being a coach in the reality singing television series. Blaked helped start the establishment of "The Voice" in 2011.
Blake Shelton's Accomplishments and Accolades in the Music Business
Blake's debut album reached the number three spot on the Billboard country charts. The said album was also certified platinum. Blake released his sophomore album, "The Dreamer" in 2003. The lead single off this album, "The Baby" spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard country charts.
Among the accolades or awards Blake Shelton has received were the Country Music Association Award for Entertainer of the Year (2012) and Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year (2013), just to name a few.
Blake Shelton Wasn't Happy for Niall Horan's Victory?
Upon Blake Shelton's retirement from "The Voice," he didn't congratulate former One Direction Niall Horan's team's victory for mentoring one of the show's contestants, Gina Miles, as per Billboard. As Horan shared to People magazine, ""When we left the seat, they announced the winner and I stood up, and then he came for a big hug," Horan further noted, saying, "I gave him a big hug". According to Niall, Blake responded, by saying, "I taught you everything you know.'" Niall elaborated that, "[That's all he (Blake Shelton) said], not congratulations or anything."
