NEED TO KNOW
- Blake Shelton released his newest album, For Recreational Use Only, on May 9
- In a new interview with PEOPLE, the country superstar opens up about seeing his stepsons embrace their musical talents
- “I sure wasn’t that calm when I would get onstage,” says Shelton about his younger self
Blake Shelton is a proud stepdad.
Over the last couple years the country superstar has watched his stepsons Kingston and Zuma embrace their musical talents onstage at his bar and restaurant, Ole Red, in Oklahoma — and Shelton couldn’t be more thrilled to see them pursue their passions.
“When they get up there, you would assume they’ve been doing this for 10 years. They’re very comfortable and not rattled at all,” Shelton — who released his new album, For Recreational Use Only on Friday, May 9 — tells PEOPLE exclusively in its latest issue.
“They have three professional musicians in their life and have grown up standing on the side of the stages watching this their entire life, so they have it in their mind how to be when they get out there — but man, I sure wasn’t that calm when I would get onstage,” Shelton says of his stepsons Kingston, 18, Zuma, 16, and Apollo, 11, who were raised seeing Shelton, mom Gwen Stefani and dad Gavin Rossdale play in packed venues.
While Kingston has only performed once at Ole Red back in 2023, his younger brother Zuma has hit the stage multiple times.
“That particular venue makes more sense for Zuma. He’s leaning into country music pretty much 150 percent,” Shelton says. “He’s a fan of older country music and newer country music, which has been pretty crazy for us to see.”
“I never try to force my music. I think just accidentally throughout his lifetime, when he rides in the truck with me somewhere, he can’t help but hear whatever station I have on,” he adds.
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Earlier this month Shelton notched his 30th No. 1 hit with “Texas.” While he’s been busy promoting his latest body of work, the star says he’s looking forward to more quality time with his family in the coming months.
“I’m looking forward to the kids being out of school. Gwen and I pretty much have our summers wide open. We both have a few shows here and there, but nothing that’s tying us down to keep us from going and doing something fun,” he says. “We don’t have any plans, which is our favorite plan.”
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