Born and raised in Ada, Oklahoma, Blake Shelton set his sights on a career in country music at an early age, but even the ambitious singer/songwriter with the wicked sense of humor couldn’t have imagined how far his talent and determination would take him. These days, in addition to his lengthy string of radio hits and top-selling albums, Blake has become a household name thanks to his longtime role as a judge on NBC’s popular talent competition “The Voice,” where he has occupied one of the spinning red chairs every season since the show’s inception.
It all started in tiny Ada, where Blake began singing and playing guitar before he was 12, and by age 15 had written his first song. He graduated high school at 17 and hit the road, moving to Nashville to pursue his dreams. He signed with Giant Records in 2001 and his debut single, “Austin,” became a huge hit, spending five weeks at No. 1 on the country chart. Though Giant Records shuttered, Shelton’s momentum continued as he was shifted to Warner Music Nashville, where he continues to be a mainstay on the company’s roster today.
Blake has built a successful career by delivering both playful romps like “Some Beach,” “Boys ‘Round Here” and “Honey Bee” along with more heartfelt fare such as “The Baby,” “Home” and “Mine Would Be You.” He’s become a staple at awards shows, picking up the Country Music Association’s Male Vocalist trophy for five consecutive years, as well as earning Album of the Year and Entertainer of the Year honors at the CMA Awards. On Jan. 18, 2017, the 6’5” entertainer made People's Choice Awards history by becoming the first country artist to ever win the all-genre category of Favorite Album, beating out Beyoncé, Drake, Rihanna and Ariana Grande. In addition to his many other accolades, Blake has also won the Academy of Country Music’s Male Vocalist, Vocal Event and Song of the Year honors. The latter was for co-writing the Miranda Lambert hit “Over You,” inspired by his older brother’s death in a car accident when Blake was 14 years old.
In addition to awards and chart-topping hits, Blake has also garnered attention for his headline-grabbing personal life. His marriage to fellow country star Miranda Lambert ended in July 2015 and, a few months later, he began dating pop star Gwen Stefani. The couple met when they were both serving as judges on “The Voice.” Blake continues to star on the show as well as maintain a successful recording and touring career. In a memorable feat, he was named Sexiest Man Alive by “People” magazine in 2017, making him the first country artist to claim the title and only the second musician to ever earn the honor.