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.” …

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

January 4, 2021

5:40 pm

Ronnie Dunn; Photo Courtesy CMA, Blake Shelton; Photo by Trae Patton/NBC

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.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.