Ronnie Dunn Defends Blake Shelton Following Social Media Backlash Over New Single, ‘Minimum Wage’

Ronnie Dunn is sharing his “two cents” on the backlash Blake Shelton is receiving over his new single, “Minimum Wage.” 

The Brooks & Dunn star took to social media to defend Shelton on Monday (Jan. 4) after the longtime The Voice coach was berated for being “tone deaf” after debuting a brand new single on New Year’s Eve. 

“Minimum Wage,” which premiered during NBC’s New Year’s Eve broadcast, features lyrics like, “Girl your love can make a man feel rich on minimum wage.” 

The tune garnered harsh reviews and criticism from some social media users who argued that Shelton shouldn’t be releasing the song given the current state of the U.S. 

Does anyone else find Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage” song to be incredibly tone deaf to our country’s current state?

— Kyle Kramer (@KYLE0REN) January 1, 2021

The irony of listening to a millionaire Blake Shelton singing about “love on minimum wage” at the end of 2020 might be lost on its target audience #NewYearsRockinEve

— jolene the curious (@jkmbassoon) January 1, 2021

Dunn called the controversy over the song “yet another of those misguided social issue (cultural scams) that are concocted to further divide this country” and urged fans to “call bullshit on the forces at work to keep this country divided.”

He went on to recall his humble beginnings and shared his disappointment over the fact that people are trying to “attack country singers for being successful.”

“I slept on a mattress on the floor in a musician friend’s spare bedroom and played BEER JOINTS / DIVE BARS for years before I ever made a $100,” Dunn wrote. “Most country singers pay dues and go through things to become successful that no sane human being would.”

My two cents… #RonnieDunn #BlakeShelton #MinimumWage #HardWorkinMan #CostOfLivin #WorkingManBlues @blakeshelton pic.twitter.com/nOFVlYP9pI

— RONNIE DUNN (@RonnieDunn) January 4, 2021

Dunn encouraged fans to read the full lyrics to Shelton’s song and closed his message admitting, “Hell, I wish I’d written it.” 

“Minimum Wage” has yet to be released to streaming services. Blake Shelton has not commented on the issue or the song.