Blake Shelton is leaving The Voice in the spring of 2023 after 23 seasons on one of the most popular reality competition shows on television. As he begins his farewell tour, many in the industry are weighing in on his impact on the genre and how much he’ll be missed. One of the most recent voices to chime in is his country contemporary, Luke Bryan.
In a recent interview with Country Countdown USA, the “Country On” singer thanked Shelton for paving the way for country artists to have a space on network television.
“Getting the news that Blake’s leaving The Voice,” Bryan began. “We’ve talked about our careers in those roles. Blake was a big reason why I decided to do American Idol.”
Bryan continued, “Him stepping down from The Voice… I know he’s ready; he’s ready to move to the next chapter. It’s gotta be a good feeling. I wish him nothing but the best. And I thank him for paving the way for there to be a voice of country music on TV like that.”
As Blake Shelton begins to make his departure, he’s also campaigned for who he believes should be his replacement.
“Y’all know that next spring The Voice season 23 will be my last,” he said via Twitter. “So I’d like to throw Neal McCoy’s hat in the ring as my replacement! Can I get an amen?!!!”
Y’all know that next spring The Voice season 23 will be my last… So I’d like to throw @NealMcCoy's hat in the ring as my replacement! Can I get an amen?!!!!
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) December 2, 2022
McCoy had already campaigned to get the chair before. But this was the first time that Blake Shelton officially gave him his seal of approval. He was gracious in accepting the nod from Shelton.
“Thanks buddy,” McCoy replied on Twitter. “Could you send that comment to The Voice also?”
In his reply, McCoy tagged in the show’s official account.
Thanks buddy, could you send that comment to the @NBCTheVoice also
— Neal McCoy (@NealMcCoy) December 4, 2022
Shelton isn’t the only one that has thoughts on who should follow him on the show. Longtime coach John Legend, who’ll become the longest tenured coach upon Shelton’s departure, also had thoughts about who would be the best to join him on the cast.
“Well, I think it should be someone in country,” Legend told Extra. “We have never had another country coach before because it has only been Blake. So, you know, I could see Carrie [Underwood] doing it.”
Blake Shelton has represented the country community well since the show began, and his departure from the show will leave big shoes to fill. No matter who takes on the task, his impact on the genre has been huge over the past 22 seasons of the show. He likely wouldn’t have met his wife, Gwen Stefani, without the platform.
Recently, Shelton launched a second show on the USA Network with his The Voice cast mate Carson Daly called Barmageddon. The show places his Nashville bar on Broadway center stage as celebrity contestants compete in over-sized bar games. So far the show has featured guests like Stefani, Kane Brown, Sheryl Crow and Jimmie Allen.
In February of 2023, Shelton will hit the road with support from Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean. The Back to the Honky Tonk Tour kicks off on February 16 in Lincoln, Neb. They’ll weave their way across the United States until March.
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For dates and ticket information to Blake Shelton’s upcoming trek, visit his official website.