Blake Shelton and Warner Music Nashville part ways after 23 years

After a quarter century at Warner Records, Oklahoma native and 14-time country chart-topper Blake Shelton and the label have amicably parted ways.

“Working alongside Blake these past 23 years has been an honor and a privilege,” shared the label via a press statement. “Together, we’ve celebrated a record number of hit songs, sold-out tours and award wins. Blake’s talent is undeniable, but that wit of his, and the countless moments of laughter he’s given us remind us how fun this business of music can be. While our time together has come to an end, we count ourselves amongst his biggest fans and are grateful for the ride with this true gentleman and icon.”

At 17, the Ada, Oklahoma native left home to pursue mainstream country success in Nashville. Eight years later, he was signed to Giant Records, which, once it shuttered (after releasing Shelton’s breakout chart-topper “Austin”), transferred him to Warner, his home for 23 years.

“I moved to Nashville when I was 17 to sing country music and get a record deal. Along with the support from Warner, my dreams came true, and then some. It’s impossible to name everyone who has had a hand in all the success we enjoyed, but a huge and heartfelt thank you to the Giant Records, Warner Bros. Records and Warner Music Nashville staff and family,” adds Shelton, via a statement.

Blake Shelton’s future, looking ahead

Nearly 30 No. 1 singles and 10 Country Music Association Awards later and an artist that songwriter John Byron (of co-writing Shelton’s current top-ten country hit “Pour Me A Drink” fame) told The Tennessean was “one of the most (mainstream-defined) country artists of the past 20 years” is not yet done creating.

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A Grand Ole Opry member since 2010, the performer recently announced six performances scheduled at Las Vegas’ 4,300-seat Colosseum at Caesars Palace theater from Feb. 5-15, 2025.

This follows his June 2024 CMA Fest launch of his Post Malone “F-1 Trillion” album collaboration “Pour Me A Drink.”

The duo performed the song at Nissan Stadium and later at the Spotify House installation at Shelton’s Lower Broadway Ole Red honky tonk.

“Let’s hear it for our new adopted son in country music,” Shelton said.

Later in the summer, the tandem again paired at a Bud Light-sponsored Malone mini-concert at downtown Nashville’s Marathon Music Works.

‘The Voice,’ Gwen Stefani, more

In Oct. 2022, Shelton announced via social media that he was leaving NBC’s singing competition “The Voice” after serving as a judge on the program for a dozen years.

“The show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me,” Shelton said.

Shelton joined his wife of three years, pop superstar Gwen Stefani, in leaving the program.

During his tenure as a judge, country artists, including The Voice winners Danielle Bradberry and Cassadee Pope, plus Voice competitors and rising stars like Emily Ann Roberts, benefitted from his mentorship.

In regards to Stefani, Feb. 2024 saw the pair release a pop track, “Purple Irises.”

It joins 2020-released Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart-topping and platinum-selling hits “Nobody But You” and “Happy Anywhere,” plus a take on The Judds’ “Love Is Alive” among material they have recorded together.

For more information on Blake Shelton, visit blakeshelton.com.

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