Blake Shelton Made His American Music Award Performance Debut

On Monday, May 26, Blake Shelton performed at the American Music Awards for the very first time. This year’s show took place at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Hosted by Jennifer Lopez, the show was a star-studded affair that included performances from Gwen Stefani, Gloria Estefan, Reneé Rapp, Benson Boone, Lainey Wilson, and, for the first time, Blake Shelton.

Stefani is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her album Love.Angel.Music.Baby performed a medley of her hits from that album, including “Hollaback Girl,” and a brand-new song from her latest album, Bouquet. 

Shelton has won three AMAs throughout his career, but has never performed at the show. In 2011 and 2016, he won the award for Favorite Male Artist – Country, and in 2020, he won Favorite Country Album for Fully Loaded: God’s Country.

Not only did Shelton perform, but he also presented at the show.

Blake Performed “Stay Country Or Die Tryin’” Off His New Album

On May 15th, the American Music Awards announced Shelton would be making his debut performance.

He performed “Stay Country Or Die Tryin’,” a song from his latest album, For Recreational Use Only, which he released on May 9th. The song was officially released as a single on May 19th, following the massive success of “Texas,” his first single off the album, which eventually became his 30th #1 hit on the charts.

Wearing a red, white a blue ribbon pinned to his front shirt pocket, Shelton brought country to the American Music Awards and was unapologetic about just how country he was during a night full of glitz and glam.

He ended the performance with a salute and pointed to the ribbon, reminding us all what the day is all about, remembering the fallen servicemen and women.

Prior to his performance he shared a message on social media, writing, “Never forget the brave men and women who sacrificed everything for our country and our freedom. Remembering our heroes extra today. #MemorialDay”

We love the Blake took time to recognize what Memorial Day is all about. Watch his performance below.

Blake Shelton’s AMAs Debut: A Country Anthem That Rocked Las Vegas

On May 27, 2025, the American Music Awards (AMAs) in Las Vegas became the stage for a defining moment in country music, as Blake Shelton made his long-awaited debut with a fiery performance of his new single, “Stay Country Or Die Tryin’.” The 48-year-old Oklahoma native, a titan of country music with 29 No. 1 singles and nearly 11 billion global streams, transformed the Fontainebleau stage into a rustic barn, delivering a performance that was both a celebration of rural pride and a bold statement of his enduring legacy. Despite minor audio hiccups, Shelton’s powerful vocals and authentic charm left 12,000 fans roaring and sparked a social media frenzy, cementing the night as a pivotal promotional milestone for his album For Recreational Use Only, released May 9, 2025. Was this the moment that redefined country music’s place in mainstream awards? Let’s dive into the night that had everyone talking.

A Barn in Las Vegas: Setting the Stage

From the moment Shelton stepped onto the stage, it was clear this was no ordinary awards show performance. The set was a love letter to his Oklahoma roots, featuring weathered wooden planks, bales of hay, and a massive American flag pinned to a virtual fence—a nod to the song’s patriotic undertones. The lyrics of “Stay Country Or Die Tryin’,” penned by Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Kyle Sturrock, and Lalo Guzman, paint a vivid picture of rural life: “Seven generations from a dirt road corn crop / Boots ain’t never seen easy street.” This imagery, paired with the barn-themed backdrop, transported the audience from the glitz of Las Vegas to the heart of America’s countryside, amplifying the song’s call to stay true to one’s roots.

Shelton, clad in a navy blue striped shirt with a red, white, and blue lapel pin, embodied the song’s message. His performance was timed perfectly for Memorial Day, with the pin and flag serving as subtle tributes to veterans, aligning with the AMAs’ partnership with the Easy Day Foundation to honor military service members. The stage design, described by American Songwriter as “Oklahoma charm,” was a strategic choice to differentiate Shelton in a lineup featuring pop icons like Janet Jackson and Gloria Estefan, ensuring country music held its own on a diverse stage.web:0,1,17,24

The Sound of Country: Vocals and Reception

Shelton’s vocal delivery was the night’s centerpiece, with fans on X praising his “lit” performance. One user, @MingTatong, enthused, “I heard him loud & clear. Blake’s vocal is lit. 🔥”. His rich baritone, honed over decades, carried the song’s high-energy catchphrases with ease, evoking the raw power of earlier hits like “Ol’ Red” and “God’s Country.” Shelton himself likened the track to those career-defining moments, telling The Music Universe, “It’s got so much energy and is full of those little catchphrases we say out in the country”. The performance was a testament to his vocal consistency, a quality that has earned him six Academy of Country Music Awards and ten Country Music Association Awards.

However, the live broadcast wasn’t flawless. Some viewers reported audio issues, with 9Celebrity noting that the livestream initially lacked sound, replaced by a looping cheer effect. “Somebody’s getting fired for this,” one X user quipped. While the in-room audience of 12,000 experienced no such problems, the glitch frustrated some at-home viewers, momentarily overshadowing Shelton’s delivery. Despite this, the performance’s visual and emotional impact dominated social media, with posts like @blakesheltonus sharing clips that garnered thousands of views. The duality of reception—rapturous praise tempered by technical critiques—underscored the challenges of live television but didn’t diminish the moment’s resonance.

Promoting For Recreational Use Only

The AMAs performance was a cornerstone of Shelton’s promotional campaign for For Recreational Use Only, his first album in nearly four years and his debut with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville after a long tenure with Warner Music Nashville. Released on May 9, 2025, the 12-track album features collaborations with Gwen Stefani, John Anderson, and Craig Morgan, blending Shelton’s signature honky-tonk swagger with fresh sounds. “Stay Country Or Die Tryin’,” the third single, followed the Top 10 hit “Texas” and the ballad “Let Him In Anyway,” showcasing the album’s range.web:3,13

Shelton’s choice of the AMAs for his debut performance was strategic. The event’s broad appeal, broadcast on CBS and Paramount+, offered a platform to reach beyond his core country audience, introducing his music to pop and urban music fans. American Songwriter noted that the song was “the perfect introduction to the AMA audience,” leveraging Shelton’s mainstream visibility from his long stint as a coach on The Voice. The performance’s timing, just weeks after the album’s release, maximized its promotional impact, with upcoming festival appearances at California Rodeo Salinas (June 27) and CMA Fest (July 12) poised to sustain momentum.

Cultural Resonance and Legacy

“Stay Country Or Die Tryin’” is more than a song—it’s a manifesto of Shelton’s unwavering commitment to country music. The track doubles down on themes he’s championed for years, as Taste of Country observed: “Lyrics tell his truth”. In an era where genre lines blur, Shelton’s performance was a defiant celebration of authenticity, resonating with fans who value country’s storytelling tradition. X posts reflected this, with @PWPCA123 noting, “It’s important to showcase all genres on these types of shows!”. Even non-country fans, like @jakejameslugo, respected the “vibes”.

The performance also highlighted Shelton’s cultural influence. With 52 million singles sold, 13 million albums, and a record-breaking 17 consecutive No. 1 singles on the Country Airplay chart, he’s a giant in the industry. His 30th No. 1, “Texas,” performed at the 2025 ACM Awards, placed him alongside legends like George Strait and Kenny Chesney. The AMAs debut, coupled with his recent Oklahoma Hall of Fame induction and Grand Ole Opry membership, reinforced his role as Nashville’s ambassador to the mainstream.web:10,15

Challenges and Critiques

The audio issues, while minor, sparked debate about live event production. 9Celebrity reported that the glitch was a “disaster” for the livestream, though it didn’t detract from the in-person experience. Some X users, like @theycallmeterri, poked fun at Shelton’s static stage presence: “Standing brick still in front of an American flag… Am I being punkd?”. Yet, this critique overlooked the deliberate simplicity of his delivery, which prioritized vocal strength over theatrics, aligning with the song’s unpretentious ethos.

Looking Ahead

Shelton’s AMAs performance was a masterclass in blending tradition with ambition. It strengthened his bond with fans, as evidenced by the 500K+ social media views, and set the stage for his 2025 tour, including his Friends and Heroes Tour. The event also showcased his personal life’s influence, with Gwen Stefani performing her own medley that night, their partnership a subtle undercurrent. As Shelton told The Tennessean, “I’m experienced enough now to have ideas about my career,” and this debut proved he’s still pushing boundaries.web:17,24

Conclusion

Blake Shelton’s AMAs debut on May 27, 2025, with “Stay Country Or Die Tryin’” was a triumph of authenticity and showmanship. Despite technical hiccups, the barn-themed spectacle and Shelton’s commanding vocals captivated Las Vegas and beyond, amplifying For Recreational Use Only’s reach. With 29 No. 1 singles, a storied career, and a knack for connecting with audiences, Shelton reminded the world why he’s a country music icon. Did this performance change the genre forever? Perhaps not, but it solidified his place as its heart and soul. Watch the full clip and decide for yourself—this is country, and Shelton’s not going anywhere

To say that Blake Shelton has had an impressive career would be an understatement. He has launched 30 singles to the top of the country charts. He has also taken home dozens of trophies from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, among others. Shelton has also taken home three trophies from the American Music Awards. However, he has never performed at the event before. That all changed tonight (May 26).

Shelton brought some Oklahoma charm to Las Vegas with a barn-themed stage production. Weathered planks adorned the screens surrounding the stage, and bales of hay filled the open spaces between the superstar and his bandmates. More than that, the ode to the country lifestyle from his most recent album, For Recreational Use Only, was the perfect introduction to the AMA audience.

Blake Shelton on “Texas,” His 30^th No. 1 Single

Written by Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Kyle Sturrock, and Lalo Guzman, Blake Shelton released “Texas” last November as the lead single from his latest album, For Recreational Use Only. The single topped the Country AirCheck chart earlier this month, giving the Oklahoma native his 30^th career No. 1.

“This is the perfect opportunity to come back with something so different, and it easily felt like it should be the first single,” Shelton shared in a press release. “It’s connected with what I’ve done, but forward at the same time, and it’s the perfect start to the next chapter of my career,” he added.

“The thing that struck me about ‘Texas’ immediately was how different it sounded for me, and I’m always looking to push myself,” he said of the song. “I think there’s something really special about this record and important for me,” Shelton added.

“Texas” and For Recreational Use Only mark a significant shift in the “Old Red” singer’s career. He released his 2003 sophomore album, The Dreamer, on Warner Bros. Nashville. He would stay with the label for nearly two decades. The 2021 album Body Language was his final release on the label. He exited his deal with Warner Nashville and inked a new deal with Wheelhouse Records, a subsidiary of BBR Music Group, formerly Broken Bow Records.