WATCH: Kelly Clarkson Tributes Blake Shelton With ‘Honey Bee’ Cover

Kelly Clarkson honored her fellow coach on The Voice, Blake Shelton, with a cover of one of his biggest hits…

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

January 5, 2023

at

10:13 am

Share on:

Kelly Clarkson honored her fellow coach on The Voice, Blake Shelton, with a cover of one of his biggest hits on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

On Wednesday (Jan. 4), the Emmy-award-winning daytime talk show host paid homage to Shelton with the performance of his chart-topping hit, “Honey Bee,” alongside her band, Y’all.

“You’ll be my soft and sweet / I’ll be your strong and steady / You’ll be my glass of wine / I’ll be your shot of whiskey / You’ll be my sunny day / I’ll be your shade tree / You’ll be my honeysuckle / I’ll be your honey bee,” Clarkson sings.

Watch Her “Honey Bee” Performance

YouTube video

“Honey Bee” was released as a single from Shelton’s Red River Blue album in April 2011. The chart-topping hit was co-written by Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip and produced by Shelton’s longtime collaborator, Scott Hendrinks. 

The tune was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance for the 54h Annual GRAMMY Awards, however, Taylor Swift’s “Mean” took home the title. 

Clarkson has shared a variety of covers during the “Kellyoke” segment of The Kelly Clarkson Show, including renditions of Blake Shelton‘s “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking,” Billy Currington’s “Let Me Down Easy,” Pam Tillis’ “Maybe It Was Memphis,” Wynonna’s “No One Else On Earth” and Jo Dee Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California.

Kelly Clarkson; Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal
Kelly Clarkson; Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal

Other “Kellyoke” segments have also featured covers of Cody Johnson, Johnny Cash, Lady A, Rascal Flatts, Travis Tritt, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini (just to name a few).

The Kelly Clarkson Show, which was recently renewed for an additional two seasons extending the show to 2025, returned in September with appearances by Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton.

“Kelly Clarkson is one of the brightest stars of our time,” NBCUniversal Executive Vice President of Syndicated Studios, Tracie Wilson, said. “With more than 500 hours viewed on broadcast, cable and digital platforms since its launch, ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ has been a home for stories that entertain, inspire important conversations and connect with loyal viewers across multiple generations in meaningful ways. Together, with our best-in-class producing team, we’ll continue to build on the show’s success and legacy.”

Kelly Clarkson; Photo by: Trae Patton/NBCUniversal
Kelly Clarkson; Photo by: Trae Patton/NBCUniversal

Check local listings for airtimes for The Kelly Clarkson Show.

After a brief leave from NBC’s The Voice, Kelly Clarkson will return to her big red chair on season 23 of the popular singing competition show alongside Blake Shelton and first-time coaches Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper.

Clarkson’s return will mark her first season since winning with Girl Named Tom on season 21. 

https://youtu.be/YasVckja7r8

Meanwhile, Shelton recently announced that Season 23 will be his last time serving as a coach on the show. 

“I’ve been wrestling with this for a while and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from The Voice after next season,” Shelton revealed in October of 2022.

The 46-year-old hitmaker went on to detail the impact that the show has had on his life and career as well as thank everyone who makes the show possible.

Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson; Photo by: Trae Patton/NBCUniversal
Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson; Photo by: Trae Patton/NBCUniversal

“This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me,” Shelton continued. “It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns and I want to thank everyone at The Voice from NBC, every producer, the writers, musicians, crew and catering people, you are the best. It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week.”

Shelton also shared gratitude for all of those who have come into his life thanks to the show and all the contestants who chose him as their coach. 

“I’ve made lifelong bonds with Carson [Daly] and every single one of my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife Gwen Stefani! I have to give a huge shoutout to the singers – the “Voices,’ who come on this stage season after season and amaze us with their talent and a special thanks to those who chose me to be their coach.”

He concluded his statement by saying, “Lastly, it’s about y’all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches and everyone at The Voice who are chasing their dreams.”

Additionally, Shelton will soon embark on his Back To The Honky Tonk Tour, which kicks off on February 16 in Lincoln, NE at Pinnacle Bank Arena and continue through March 25, where the tour will wrap up at Keybank Center in Buffalo, NY.

“There’s nothing like getting out on the road and taking music to the fans,” Shelton said. “I feel just as excited to step on stage and perform as I did the very first time. I know my tour mates Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean feel the same, and I can’t wait for y’all to get to know them better. Break out the hats and boots, ‘cause we’re going back to the honky tonk!”

Kelly Clarkson; Photo by: Greg Gayne/NBC
Kelly Clarkson; Photo by: Greg Gayne/NBC

In between hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show and appearing on the upcoming season of The Voice, Clarkson is gearing up to release a brand-new album, which is slated to arrive sometime this year.
“This is an important album. I’m working on this in therapy: I have a hard time vocalizing what I’m feeling sometimes, so music is helpful for me. It’s just been really healing,” Clarkson recently told Variety. “When my ex and I first separated, there were many emotions. It was hard. I hadn’t really been working hardcore on an album until I needed to. I was just very busy. There were so many jobs, and I’m a single mom — well, even with being married, it’s a lot, trying to fit kids’ schedules in and all that stuff. But then the whole divorce thing happened, and I needed to write it.”

Share on:

Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.