Blake Shelton Parts With Warner Music Nashville—The Rest of the Story

Blake Shelton and Warner Music Nashville revealed Tuesday in amicable statements that the beloved country singer, former Voice coach, and his longtime record label, Warner Music Nashville, have parted ways.

“I moved to Nashville when I was 17 to sing country music and get a record deal,” Shelton said in a statement. “Along with the support from Warner, my dreams came true, and then some.”

Shelton and Warner have worked together for 23 years. Shelton’s 2001 debut, “Austin,” was a five-week No. 1 hit, the first of Shelton’s sometimes sporadic stream of 28 chart toppers. The affable Oklahoman’s smash hits include “The Baby,” “God’s Country,” “Honey Bee,” “Boys’ Round Here,” “Home,” “God Gave Me You,” and his Gwen Stefani duet “Happy Anywhere.” His current Post Malone collaboration, “Pour Me a Drink,” is already a Top 10 hit and could be poised to become Shelton’s 29th No. 1 song.

“Working alongside Blake these past 23 years has been an honor and a privilege,” Warner Music Nashville said in a statement. “While our time together has come to an end, we count ourselves amongst his biggest fans and are grateful for the ride with this true gentleman and icon.”

While Shelton started charting hits with the label group in 2001-after they assumed promotion of “Austin” from Giant Records- the singer didn’t hit his stride until John Esposito took the reigns at Warner Music Nashville in 2009. Esposito promised to make Shelton the label’s priority and delivered, with Shelton earning nearly 20 consecutive No. 1 hits over the next seven years. The singer was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry in 2010-his, then label publicist Tree Paine present to shepherd the evening. Paine left Warner four years later to represent Taylor Swift, and Wes Vause capably took over publicity.

Blake Shelton’s Record Label Team Has Endured Much Change

Shelton’s chart-topping streak briefly wobbled in 2016 with “She’s Got a Way With Words” following his high-profile divorce. But he jumped right back on track with three consecutive No. 1 songs.

Country music’s unapologetic ambassador for two decades, Shelton made it his job to crank out boot-stomping bangers, heartbreak anthems and endearing odes to love gone right. He returned farming to a scared place on country music’s mantle, shared his spotlight with the genre’s legacy (The Oak Ridge Boys, John Anderson) artists and up-and-comers (The Swon Brothers, RaeLynn), and developed an unparalleled ear for original country songs of faith (“Bible Verses”) – propelling many of them into the spotlight.

The singer jokes about his affection for being on top, recently quipping to American Songwriter in his self-deprecating manner: “I lived my life by the Talladega Knights. If you’re not first, you’re last.”

Shelton’s last No. 1 hit was more than three years ago. Since then, he has stepped away from The Voice. Warner Music Nashville also endured a significant staff shift.

Vause parted ways with Warner to found his publicity company in 2022. He kept Shelton as a client.

Esposito left Warner in mid-2023 stating plans to slow down.

Shane Tarleton, Executive Vice President of artist Development and a member of Shelton’s team, vacated his position in October 2023 after 13 years at the label.

Scott Hendricks, Shelton’s longtime producer and executive vice president of A&R and creative advisor at Warner Music Nashville, left the label after almost 16 years in December of 2023.

While the next steps for Shelton and this super group of industry executives aren’t known – and maybe it’s just status quo – Shelton has a hit song for this situation.

“Sure Be Cool If You Did” reteam to create something remarkable.

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images