If Blake Shelton had the choice between quitting music or getting poisoned, the country crooner would choose the latter. That’s what he revealed during an interview with PEOPLE as part of an exclusive cover story.
The longtime coach of The Voice stepped away from his role on the popular program after 12 years following Season 23’s crowning of Team Niall’s Gina Miles on Tuesday (May 23) night. But, when it comes to performing in front of audiences and releasing music, don’t expect him to retire from that anytime soon.
“That’s Not Something I Can Go Without”
“Walking away from music, you might as well just poison me or something. That’s not something I can go without. I can’t help it,” Shelton told the outlet of his plans to keep his country music career in check.
“I’m Really At A Crossroads Right Now”
Fans will have to wait on a full-length album, however, as the 46-year-old “No Body” singer says he is in no hurry to piece a project together. Instead, the chart-topping artist, who has gotten used to mentoring artists throughout his lengthy tenure on The Voice, points out that he is enjoying the evolving landscape of the business.
“I’m really at a crossroads right now. The country music lane is changing so rapidly, and there’s some good stuff out there,” he shares. “These young kids coming up, it’s amazing to see the music they’re making and how creative they are.”
“I’m enjoying watching what’s happening and putting a song out once in a while,” he continued. “That’s another reason I’m excited to get some time back away from The Voice and concentrate more on, ‘What kind of record do I want to make? Is it going to fit in? Do I care? Do I not care?’ I got a lot to figure out.”
Left His Role As A Coach On The Voice Earlier This Month
Shelton ended his run on The Voice during the grand finale on Tuesday evening, receiving a memorable send-off from his fellow coaches Niall Horan, Kelly Clarkson, and Chance the Rapper as well as longtime host of the show, Carson Daly.
The two-hour telecast also featured an all-star lineup of performers, including CeeLo Green, Adam Levine and Maroon 5, Diplo and Lily Rose, Toosii, and the U.S. Army Field Band. Gwen Stefani, Dolly Parton, and George Strait paid special tributes to Shelton. Miley Cyrus, Camila Cabello, Jennifer Hudson, Nick Jonas, John Legend, Usher, and Pharrell Williams, who all coached alongside Shelton, also sent in special pre-recorded messages to celebrate the Oklahoma native’s final night.
Dozens Bid Farewell To Shelton During Season Finale Of The Voice
Other guests helping commemorate the special evening included contestants and winners who represented Team Blake throughout his journey on the show.
“I don’t think it’s a risk to leave the show,” Shelton, who is happily married to Stefani and is stepfather to her three sons, Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo said. “… the only thing that I run the risk of is having regrets, and you don’t know what those are going to be until you look back one day. I feel like my regrets would be, if I stayed on this path, that I am missing out on some more important things in life…. I think more than anything, just having kids, it truly does make you go, ‘Oh, wait a minute. This isn’t about me anymore. It never will be again. If you don’t say that to yourself, you’re only hurting yourself because you’re going to miss out, and you’ll regret it.”
“But I’m not getting away from music!” he promises. “[Now] I can control the timing, and I’m not on anybody else’s schedule when it comes to making a record or touring. I can fit it in a way that makes more sense for us.”
Additionally, Blake Shelton currently has no tour dates on the book with the exception of several headlining performances at upcoming festivals, including Country Jam 2023, Barefoot Country Music Festival, Jam Ranch, Sunset Country Music Festival 2023, and Coastal Country Jam.
For a more information on Shelton’s music and upcoming performances, visit his official website HERE.
