Blake Shelton Could Make Us ‘Happy Anywhere’ but We’re Glad It’ll be at Van Andel Arena This Fall
Country music superstar Blake Shelton will make his long-anticipated return to the road alongside his friends and heroes beginning August 18. The boot-stomping, hit-making, arena-selling entertainer will visit 16 cities for a 17-date run, including a stop at Nashville’s own Bridgestone Arena and a two-night residency in Washington, D.C. “Friends and Heroes 2021” will welcome very special guest Lindsay Ell, with special appearances by Martina McBride, Tracy Byrd and Trace Adkins. The tour will stop at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on September 30.
“A little over a year ago when the world shut down and we had to postpone the tour, I was already in Omaha getting ready for the show that night,” Shelton said. “I told you we would be back, and I’m thrilled to say we are kicking off the Friends and Heroes 2021 Tour in Omaha. I’m giving everybody in every city plenty of notice – you might as well tell your boss you’re gonna be late to work the next day and pay that babysitter overtime, because we are going to play some country music for y’all until they turn on the lights. And that might not stop us! I’m excited to welcome Martina McBride, Tracy Byrd, Trace Adkins and my very special guest Lindsay Ell to the Friends and Heroes 2021 Tour… see you there!”
Tickets go on sale Thursday, June 10 at 10:00 AM. Tickets for the Van Andel Arena date will be available at Ticketmaster.com. Please note that the box office will not be open for this on sale. “Friends and Heroes 2021” will abide by all local and venue COVID-19 policies.
Shelton’s tour announcement comes ahead of his Body Language launch Friday, May 21. The 12-track studio album includes his 28th career No.1 smash “Happy Anywhere” (with Gwen Stefani) and current Top 15 and climbing single “Minimum Wage.” Fans who pre-order the album HERE will instantly receive a download of the two tracks as well as brand new ballad “Bible Verses” (LISTEN HERE).
Over the past 20 years since Shelton’s career launched, he has cemented his place in country music history with more than 8.5 billion global on-demand streams, 11 million career album U.S. sales and award wins approaching the hundreds – all of which began with his debut single “Austin.” In April, Shelton celebrated the track’s 20th anniversary with a performance on the 56th ACM Awards (HERE) and a pre-order for a limited edition 7” “Austin” vinyl on his website (HERE).
Beyond his country music career, the multimedia entertainer has earned widespread recognition as a seven-time champion coach for the Emmy Award-winning television show The Voice. The NBC singing competition is currently in its 20th season. Shelton, a long-time Grand Ole Opry member, has also found success in his Ole Red partnership with Ryman Hospitality, with restaurant and venue locations currently in Tishomingo, Nashville, Gatlinburg and Orlando.
