photo by Mike Carroll
It recently came to light that Blake Shelton made some surprising and insulting comments about Classic Country and it’s fans in an interview for an update to his GAC Backstory.
Blake was quoted as saying, “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.”
This prompted the legendary Ray Price to respond publicly with this rebuttal:
“It’s a shame that I have spend 63 years in this business trying to introduce music to a larger audience and to make it easier for the younger artists who are coming behind me. Every now and then some young artist will record a rock and roll type song , have a hit first time out with kids only. This is why you see stars come with a few hits only and then just fade away believing they are God’s answer to the world. This guy sounds like in his own mind that his head is so large no hat ever made will fit him. Stupidity Reigns Supreme!!!!!!! Ray Price (CHIEF “OLD FART” & JACKA–“) ” P.S. YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY AS US OLD-TIMERS. CHECK BACK IN 63 YEARS (THE YEAR 2075) AND LET US KNOW HOW YOUR NAME AND YOUR MUSIC WILL BE REMEMBERED.”
Comedian Ray Stevens chimed in as well by saying, “I just heard Blake Shelton‘s remarks about ‘old farts and jackasses’ and all I want to know is how he found out the title to my next single because it’s been a closely guarded secret here at the ‘Home.’ It will be available on vinyl or 8-Track at your nearest Tower Records store.”
After a day of controversy and debate online, Blake Shelton finally made a public statement via twitter:
“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” 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 is about how we as the new generation of country artists have to keep re-inventing country music to keep it popular. Just EXACTLY the way Mr. Price did along his journey as a main stream country artist pushing the boundaries with his records. “For The Good Times” is a perfect example with the introduction of a bigger orchestrated sound in country music. It was new and awesome!!! I absolutely have no doubt 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. I meant every word I said. Country music is my life and it’s future AND past is important to me. I’ll put my Love and respect and knowledge about it up against anybody out there… ANYBODY…”
Our attempts to get an interview from Blake were ignored. Considering he had a top-1o hit with his remake of Conway Twitty‘s “Classic Country” song “Goodbye Time,” it’s really surprising that he’d make such comments in the first place.
So what are your thoughts on this controversy? Are you offended by what Blake said? Do you agree with him? Do you find his apology and intentions sincere? Do you think his new-found fame from The Voice is clouding his memory of where his roots are? Or are people taking things out of context and making a big deal out of nothing? Sound off in the comments below!