History of Blake Shelton in Timeline

Blake Shelton is an American country singer, songwriter, and television personality who debuted in 2001. His first single, "Austin," from his self-titled debut album, reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for five weeks. The album was certified Platinum and included two more top 20 hits, launching his successful career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2011: Start as a Coach on The Voice

In 2011, Blake Shelton became a coach on NBC's The Voice.

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January 17, 2012: Death of Blake Shelton's Father

On January 17, 2012, Blake Shelton's father, Dick, passed away in Oklahoma at the age of 71 after suffering from declining health.

October 2013: Donation to Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

In October 2013, Blake Shelton donated $20,000 to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to support their outdoor education programs.

2013: Academy of Country Music Awards

In 2013, "Over You", co-written by Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, was named Single Record and Song of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. The song is about the death of Blake's brother.

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July 20, 2015: Divorce Announcement

On July 20, 2015, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert announced their divorce, which was finalized later that same day. They requested privacy and compassion during the difficult time.

November 9, 2015: Shelton to host 2016 Kids' Choice Awards

On November 9, 2015, Nickelodeon announced that Blake Shelton would be the host of the 2016 Kids' Choice Awards.

2015: Co-Writing "Go Ahead and Break My Heart"

In 2015, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani co-wrote the song "Go Ahead and Break My Heart" at the start of their relationship.

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2015: Dating Gwen Stefani

In 2015, Blake Shelton began dating Gwen Stefani, his colleague from The Voice. They bonded over their divorces during the summer of 2015 while filming the ninth season of The Voice.

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2015: Forbes Estimated Income

In 2015, Forbes estimated Blake Shelton's annual income to be $28.5 million.

March 8, 2016: "Came Here to Forget" Released

On March 8, 2016, Blake Shelton's single "Came Here to Forget," from his album If I'm Honest, was released to country radio.

April 8, 2016: "Savior's Shadow" Released

On April 8, 2016, Blake Shelton released "Savior's Shadow," the second single from the album If I'm Honest.

April 12, 2016: "Savior's Shadow" Released to Christian Radio

On April 12, 2016, Blake Shelton's "Savior's Shadow" was released to Christian radio.

May 2016: Release of If I'm Honest

In May 2016, Blake Shelton's tenth studio album, If I'm Honest, was released.

May 20, 2016: The Angry Birds Movie Release

On May 20, 2016, The Angry Birds Movie was released in the US, featuring Blake Shelton as the voice of Earl, a cowboy pig, and his song "Friends" as the theme song.

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June 2016: "She's Got a Way with Words" Released

In June 2016, Blake Shelton released "She's Got a Way with Words" as the third single from his album If I'm Honest.

June 2016: Opening of "Blake Shelton: Based on a True Story" Exhibit

In June 2016, Blake Shelton's exhibit, titled "Blake Shelton: Based on a True Story", opened at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, showcasing his career path and achievements.

September 2016: Donation to Jimmy Everest Center

In September 2016, Blake Shelton donated $600,000 to the Jimmy Everest Center, a children's hospital specializing in blood cancer and blood disorders, following two concerts in Oklahoma City. He also created the Blake Shelton Cancer Research Program at that same hospital.

September 2016: Participation in "Forever Country"

In September 2016, Blake Shelton was one of 30 artists selected to perform on "Forever Country", a mash-up track celebrating 50 years of the CMA Awards. The song debuted at number one on Billboard's Hot Country Songs.

2016: If I'm Honest Album Release

In 2016, Blake Shelton's album, If I'm Honest, was released, featuring the duet "Go Ahead and Break My Heart" with Gwen Stefani.

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January 2017: Won Favorite Album at the People's Choice Awards

In January 2017, Blake Shelton became the first country artist to win People's Choice Awards' Favorite Album.

March 2017: Wax Figure Unveiled at Madame Tussauds Nashville

In March 2017, Blake Shelton's wax figure was unveiled for Madame Tussauds Nashville.

June 6, 2017: Our Journeys Home Aired on HLN

On June 6, 2017, HLN aired a special called Our Journeys Home, which revealed that Blake Shelton and HLN Morning Express host Robin Meade were fourth cousins.

September 11, 2017: "I'll Name the Dogs" Released

On September 11, 2017, Blake Shelton released "I'll Name the Dogs" as the lead-off single from his eleventh studio album.

September 2017: First Ole Red Opened in Tishomingo, Oklahoma

In September 2017, the first Ole Red restaurant and entertainment complex, co-owned by Blake Shelton, opened in his hometown of Tishomingo, Oklahoma.

November 3, 2017: Texoma Shore Album Released

Blake Shelton's eleventh studio album, Texoma Shore, was released on November 3, 2017.

November 6, 2017: Charted Six Songs Simultaneously

On November 6, 2017, Blake Shelton made Country Aircheck history when he became the first artist to chart six songs simultaneously, all from his album Texoma Shore.

November 14, 2017: Named People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive

On November 14, 2017, Blake Shelton became the first country artist to be named People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.

2017: Collaboration on "You Make It Feel Like Christmas"

In 2017, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani collaborated on the song "You Make It Feel Like Christmas," featured on Stefani's holiday album of the same name.

January 29, 2018: "I Lived It" Released to Country Radio

On January 29, 2018, "I Lived It", the second single from the album Texoma Shore, was released to country radio.

February 2018: Donation to Tishomingo, Oklahoma

In February 2018, Blake Shelton donated $50,000 to his hometown of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, raising the funds from ticket sales at his restaurant Ole Red.

May 2018: Ole Red Nashville Location Opened

In May 2018, a new location of Ole Red opened in Nashville. Ole Red is a small chain of restaurants and entertainment complexes co-owned by Blake Shelton.

March 13, 2019: Donation to Gatlinburg-Pittman High School

On March 13, 2019, Blake Shelton performed a private concert at his Ole Red Gatlinburg location and donated $54,214 to the Gatlinburg-Pittman High School's music programs. $29,214 was from ticket sales and $25,000 was from Ryman Hospitality Properties.

March 2019: Ole Red Gatlinburg Location Opened

In March 2019, a third location of Ole Red, a chain of restaurants and entertainment complexes co-owned by Blake Shelton, opened in Gatlinburg.

October 12, 2019: Officiated Wedding of Trace Adkins

On October 12, 2019, Blake Shelton officiated the wedding of Trace Adkins and Victoria Pratt in New Orleans, Louisiana.

2019: Release of Fully Loaded: God's Country Album

In 2019, Blake Shelton released a compilation album titled Fully Loaded: God's Country, which included the hit single "God's Country".

January 2020: Shelton's Comments About Stefani

In January 2020, Blake Shelton stated in an interview with Gayle King that he didn't know what love was until Gwen Stefani came into his life.

March 2020: Merchandise Price Reduction and Donation

At the end of March 2020, Blake Shelton reduced the price of his merchandise and donated a portion of the sales to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund.

April 2020: Donation to "Give from Home Day" Fundraiser

In April 2020, Blake Shelton donated $150,000 to the "Give from Home Day" fundraiser, a partnership between KOCO 5 and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to help feed the hungry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 2020: Merchandise Price Reduction and Donation

Into the beginning of April 2020, Blake Shelton reduced the price of his merchandise and donated a portion of the sales to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund.

May 2020: Ole Red Orlando Location Opened

In May 2020, the fourth location of Ole Red, a chain of restaurants and entertainment complexes co-owned by Blake Shelton, opened in Orlando, Florida.

October 27, 2020: Engagement Announcement

On October 27, 2020, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani announced their engagement after dating for five years. Shelton proposed to Stefani at a chapel on his property in Oklahoma.

2020: Won CMT Music Award for "Nobody But You"

At the 2020 CMT Music Awards, Blake Shelton won for best collaborative video for his duet "Nobody But You" with Gwen Stefani.

2020: Billboard Chart Success

In 2020, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's duets "Nobody But You" and "Happy Anywhere" both reached No. 1 on the Billboard US Country Airplay chart.

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2020: Todd Tilghman Wins Season 18 of The Voice

In 2020, Todd Tilghman was announced as the winner for the 18th season of The Voice, marking Blake Shelton's seventh victory as a coach.

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May 21, 2021: Body Language Album Release

On May 21, 2021, Blake Shelton released his twelfth studio album, Body Language, marking his first album release in over four years.

July 3, 2021: Marriage to Gwen Stefani

On July 3, 2021, Blake Shelton married Gwen Stefani in a chapel on his property in Oklahoma.

2021: Cam Anthony Wins Season 20 of The Voice

In 2021, during season 20 of The Voice, Blake Shelton's finalist Cam Anthony was named the winner, securing Shelton's eighth win as coach.

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March 2022: Shelton's Role as Stepfather

In March 2022, Blake Shelton discussed his positive experience as a stepfather to Gwen Stefani's three sons, stating that he has fallen in love with them.

September 7, 2022: Announcement of Back to the Honky Tonk Tour

On September 7, 2022, Blake Shelton announced his 18-date Back to the Honky Tonk Tour with Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean as opening acts.

October 4, 2022: Sale of Master Recordings

On October 4, 2022, Blake Shelton sold the ownership of his commercially released master recordings from 2001 to 2019 to Influence Media Partners.

December 2022: Bryce Leatherwood Wins Season 22 of The Voice

In December 2022, during season 22 of The Voice, Blake Shelton's finalist Bryce Leatherwood was named the winner, securing Shelton's ninth and final win as coach before his retirement from the show after the following season.

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2023: End as a Coach on The Voice

In 2023, Blake Shelton coached his last season (season twenty-three) on NBC's The Voice. He had been the most successful coach in the show's history.

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February 2024: Featured on Gwen Stefani's Song "Purple Irises"

In February 2024, Blake Shelton appeared on his wife Gwen Stefani's song, "Purple Irises".

June 2024: Appeared on Post Malone's Album F-1 Trillion

In June 2024, Blake Shelton appeared on Post Malone's album F-1 Trillion on the song "Pour Me a Drink".

September 2024: Signed with BMG/BBR Music Group

In September 2024, after being with Warner Music Nashville since the beginning of his career, Blake Shelton signed with BMG/BBR Music Group and Wheelhouse Records.

November 15, 2024: Release of "Texas" Single

On November 15, 2024, Blake Shelton released a new single, "Texas".

2024: Ole Red Las Vegas Strip Location Opened

In 2024, the sixth location of Ole Red opened on the Las Vegas Strip. Ole Red is a chain of restaurants and entertainment complexes co-owned by Blake Shelton.