Blake Shelton has spent almost 25 years as one of country music's biggest hitmakers. While it's easy to just keep Shelton on repeat, there are several other country music artists who have music similar to Shelton's. We picked four of our favorite artists to listen to if you're a Blake Shelton fan.
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1. Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton have spent a lot of years in friendly competition with each other for positions on the charts, but they are actually also actually friends. Like Shelton, Bryan releases music about real life. Some of Bryan's songs that sound like Shelton could have recorded them himself include "Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day," "What Makes You Country" and Bryan's latest single, "Country Song Came On."
Not only do Bryan and Shelton have similar music, but at least one fan thinks they look alike as well.
2. Jason Aldean
Like Bryan, Aldean has also released music about real life, taking a cue from Shelton's playbook. Aldean's debut single "Hicktown" came out in 2005, four years after Shelton's first single, "Austin." Aldean has also, like Shelton, refused to change his music to fit whatever trend might be happening in country music at the moment. For 20 years, Aldean has stayed authentic, with songs like "When She Says Baby," "Dirt Road Anthem," "Whiskey Drink" and more.
3. Trace Adkins
Shelton didn't influence Trace Adkins, but Trace Adkins sure influenced Blake Shelton. Adkins released his fourth studio album Chrome in 2001, the same year Sheltons' self-titled debut album came out. The two singers became fast friends, with Adkins inviting Shelton to become a Grand Ole Opry member in 2010, inducting him later that same year.
Shelton and Adkins had a No. 1 hit in 2009 with "Hilbilly Bone." They later released "Hell Right" in 2019. Earlier this year, Shelton headlined his Friends and Heroes Tour, with Adkins serving as one of his opening acts.
4. Luke Combs
Shelton got almost a 20-year head start on Luke Combs in country music, which is why Combs was likely largely influenced by Shelton. Combs has also released songs that could have made it onto any Shelton record, including "When It Rains It Pours," "Beer Never Broke My Heart" and more. Combs also released "Ain't No Love In Oklahoma," which would have worked well for Shelton, since he is from Oklahoma.
Shelton is also a big fan of Combs, and is embarrassed that Combs auditioned for The Voice when Shelton was as coach - and was rejected.
"He told me that story...there's no way around it," Shelton says. "It's embarrassing... let's just face it."
Fortunately for their friendship, Combs was rejected by the producers of The Voice, not Shelton directly. The two have publicly praised each other in recent years.
