Ray Price Accepts Blake Shelton’s Apology Following Controversial Comments
Country legend Ray Price has accepted Blake Shelton's heartfelt apology, according to a lengthy Facebook status posted on Saturday (Jan. 26).
Price writes:
Hi Folks, I had no idea how far this would go when I made my comment about BLAKE SHELTON'S statement regarding CLASSIC COUNTRY MUSIC and that it had no place in the evolution of Country Music. It has made it's way to the site of the 2013 GRAMMY AWARDS TV SHOW. I am giving you the link to read yourself. I HAVE ACCEPTED BLAKE SHELTON'S APOLOGY TO ME PERSONALLY. I think Blake is a fine young man with a big future in Country Music. I AGREE that he should be given a chance to restore his credibility with the MILLIONS OF FANS who were deeply offended by those HURTFUL WORDS AND RENAMING US ALL AS.....well, you know what he said. I would regret it if the words I have spoken would in any way harm Blake personally or his career and his chances for the future. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU, BLAKE. Thanks All. RAY PRICE
The legend, known best for his No. 1 country hits 'For the Good Times' and 'Crazy Arms,' was the first musician to voice his opinion following Shelton's now-infamous comments made during a taping of GAC's 'Backstory.' The current CMA Entertainer of the Year immediately defended his statement -- in which he referred to classic singers as 'old farts' -- offering an apology to anyone he may have offended, including Price.
“I absolutely have no doubt I could have worded it better (as always ha!) and I apologize to Mr. Price and any other heroes of mine that it may have offended,” Shelton wrote after his quote sparked a fire. “I meant every word I said. Country music is my life and it’s future AND past is important to me. I’ll put my love and respect and knowledge about it up against anybody out there… ANYBODY…”
Martina McBride, Chris Young and Shelton's wife, Miranda Lambert, each went on the record to support the singer when it seemed everyone else was against him. "My husband has taught me so much about country music. He studies it. He loves it. It’s his life’s work,” Lambert wrote on Facebook. “Blake Shelton we all have your back!”
Price may have made amends with Shelton, but the 87-year-old singer did get into some hot water with Facebook regarding his use of the popular social media site in staging a viral attack on Shelton. According to Price, he has been blocked from accepting or sending out friend requests for 30 days on Facebook for supposedly "sending out spam and unwelcome friend requests."