Blake Shelton Surprises Blake Shelton Tribute Band, Blake Nation, at Ole Red Tishomingo
Blake Shelton is the longest-running coach on NBC’s The Voice. So he is no stranger to hearing talented singers cover…
Blake Shelton and David Newton; Photos Courtesy Blake Nation
Blake Shelton is the longest-running coach on NBC’s The Voice. So he is no stranger to hearing talented singers cover songs by him. But, it’s not every day he meets a band that can sing and play just about every song in his country catalog.
All that changed recently, when the country superstar took it upon himself to surprise a Blake Shelton tribute band known as Blake Nation. The music group, comprised of members David Newton (AKA Fake Blake), Kymber Newton (Vocals), Robert Han (Guitar, Banjo), Dave Powell (Lead Guitar), Jesse McCall (Bass), Phillip Walker (Keyboard), and Quay Cooke (Drums), formed their Shelton cover band back in November of 2017. They’ve been playing together ever since!
One venue that Blake Nation always makes sure to play each year as part of Shelton’s birthday celebration is the Shelton’s Ole Red in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. On Saturday (June 19), the band returned to the popular music and food joint to celebrate Shelton’s birthday weekend with a sold-out show dedicated to their hero. Unbeknownst to them, Shelton was onsite and ready to meet each member of Blake Nation in person.
“Three years ago, because of one of [our] fans, we were invited to play Ole Red for Blake’s birthday. We sold the place out and, of course, hoped to meet him. This dream had not become a reality until last weekend,” Blake Nation told Country Now. “To our complete and total surprise, Blake Shelton showed up before our show. The entire band was down in the green room, eating dinner and waiting for the show to begin. As we were all sitting around, eating, and talking, we heard a knock on the outside door. A couple of us looked at each other puzzled because who would be knocking at this door?”
“Our bass player, Jesse McCall, got up, unlocked, and opened the door. Then we all hear a man say, ‘What kind of bullshit party is this?’ and in walked Blake Shelton,” they added. “For a brief moment, we were all in shock and frozen.”
Although Shelton’s presence took the band by surprise, they went on to say that the country star was “very nice” and even stayed to take photos with them. While spending time with Blake Nation, Shelton, and “Fake Blake” Newton also hit it off!
“David and Blake walked up the street like they had been friends for years,” the band explained. “ After all the pictures were taken, Blake Shelton let us know that he would be back some time and to keep doing a great job!
Of course, the meet wouldn’t be complete without some of Shelton’s professional The Voice advice. As it turns out, Shelton had nothing but praise for Blake Nation. According to the band, he told them, “I like it when y’all play my music, it actually sounds like it should.”
Not bad words from an award-winning country superstar!
Shelton isn’t the only person to surprise someone over the weekend. “The God’s Country” singer, who turned 45-years-old on Friday (June 18), was thrown a surprise birthday bash thanks to his longtime girlfriend turned fiancée Gwen Stefani.
Written by
Melinda Lorge
Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Country Now, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.