Blake Shelton Shuts Down Music Row for Free Concert

He tweeted, and they came. Blake Shelton shut down two blocks of Music Sqaure East in Nashville for a one-hour free concert on Wednesday night (Sept. 23). The singer played a 12-song set on a small stage while soaking in what was actually happening.

Over 20 years ago, Shelton explained, he'd drive up and down Music Row dreaming of being able to play for someone inside the historical buildings that make up the majority of Nashville's record labels and publishers. Now, here he was, outside his record label's offices, filling the streets with fans who knew every word.

"We're doing this for y'all," the star said between "She Wouldn't Be Gone" (his second song) and "Mine Would Be You." To his left and right, songwriters, industry VIPs and radio personnel filled the terrace. He mentioned them once or twice, but mostly played to the thousands in front of him.

Shelton's library of songs is ballad-heavy, so this was not the sort of rockin' street party you may have expected. "Hillbilly Bone" was as loud as he got until he closed with "Boys 'Round Here." At one point he said it was time for a drinking song, which got the crowd riled up. They sang along with him as he belted out "Sangria," a No. 1 hit from his Bringing Back the Sunshine album.

"Neon Light," "Mine Would Be You," "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking" and "Austin" (his first No. 1 hit) were among the others he played. All are included on his upcoming Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits album, in stores Oct. 23. His full band joined him for every song, and they were off the stage shortly after sunset to allow traffic on Music Square East to begin flowing freely toward the Musica statue and traffic circle at the edge of Music Row.

Shelton was recently announced as a headliner for 2016 Country Jam in Grand Junction, Colo. Country Jam takes place June 16-19. Buy tickets here.