Blake Shelton "Hates" Traditional Country Music?

By: Matt Bjorke

Last Updated: January 24, 2013 2:01 PM

Well now, it looks like Blake Shelton has inadvertently created an internet controversy of sorts with Traditional and Classic Country fans (and some modern ones too) with his comments made on GAC Backstory (which started airing in DECEMBER and runs through February). The "God Gave Me You" and "Ol Red" singer stated (via Saving Country Music):

"If I am “Male Vocalist of the Year” that must mean that I’m one of those people now that gets to decide if it moves forward and if it moves on. Country music has to evolve in order to survive. Nobody wants to listen to their grandpa’s music. And I don’t care how many of these old farts around Nashville going, “My God, that ain’t country!” Well that’s because you don’t buy records anymore, jackass. The kids do, and they don’t want to buy the music you were buying.

The problem with a statement like this is it paints Blake Shelton, who is routinely charming and one of the most 'honest' interviewees one could ask for, as someone who is unaware of the Country Music that came before him. However, when reading these kind of stories, it's easy to forget the knowledge that he actually LOVES his 'Grandpa's music' and buys a ton of it at Ernest Tubb Records Shops in Nashville whenever he's near there.

From Chuck Eddy's 2008 Billboard profile, "He’s the obsessive sort of traditional country fanatic who’ll 'spend $300 a week at Ernest Tubb Record Shop' when he’s in Nashville, and where [Miranda] Lambert swears by Ashlee Simpson, Shelton would usually rather listen to John Conlee."

While I think that Blake was probably referencing why his own music has a more contemporary sound than the Traditional Country he grew up on, this quote stands on its own. However, it'll be interesting to see how fans to the rumblings that have begun on the internet.

(4:30 PM CT) UPDATED: Blake Shelton Hit Twitter to repsond to "Grandpa's Country Music" Story with tweets on the subject:

Whoa!!! I heard I offended one of my all time favorite artists Ray Price by my statement "Nobody wants to listen to their grandpas music"..
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) January 24, 2013

And probably some other things from that same interview on GAC Backstory.. I hate that I upset him.. The truth is my statement was and STILL
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) January 24, 2013

Is about how we as the new generation of country artists have to keep re-inventing country music to keep it popular. Just EXACTLY...
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) January 24, 2013

The way Mr. Price did along hid journey as a main stream country artist.. Pushing the boundaries with his records. "For The Goodtimes" is a
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) January 24, 2013

Perfect example with the introduction of a bigger orchestrated sound in country music.. It was new and awesome!!! I absolutely have no doubt
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) January 24, 2013

I could have worded it better(as always ha!) and I apologize to Mr. Price and any other heroes of mine that it may offended..
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) January 24, 2013

I meant every word I said. Country music is my life and it's future AND pastis important to me. I'll put my Lo e and respect and knowledge
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) January 24, 2013