Blake Shelton Opens Ole Red Gatlinburg With Concert & $54,000 Donation to Local High School

Blake Shelton Opens Ole Red Gatlinburg With Concert & $54,000 Donation to Local High School

Blake Shelton’s Ole Red Gatlinburg is celebrating its week-long grand opening in Gatlinburg, Tenn., March 11–17.

(From left) 650 AM WSM’s Bill Cody, Gatlinburg-Pittman High School Assistant Principal AJ Bennett, Blake Shelton, Ryman Hospitality Properties CEO Colin Reed. Photo Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

On March 13, Blake took part in the festivities by performing a private concert that raised $29,214 via tickets sales for Gatlinburg-Pittman High School’s music programs. Ryman Hospitality Properties donated an additional $25,000 to bring the total to $54,214.

“When I think of country music and where it started, I think of the mountains of East Tennessee,” Blake said. “I’m so proud to be here and I think this one may be my favorite location because the music is the focal point. The room is almost shaped like a speaker, I love it!”

March 14–17, Ole Red Gatlinburg will feature a Blake-approved lineup of free performances from former contestants on NBC’s The Voice.

  • March 14: Lauren Duski
  • March 15: Pryor Baird
  • March 16: Red Marlow
  • March 17: Emily Ann Roberts

Ole Red Gatlinburg is a multi-level, 13,500-square-foot entertainment venue with a two-story bar and restaurant, retail area, performance space, dance floor and exterior terrace. Gatlinburg is the third Ole Red location, following the first in Blake’s adopted Oklahoma hometown of Tishomingo (September 2017) and a second in Nashville (May 2018). Blake recently announced plans for a fourth location coming to Orlando, Fla., in 2020.

main photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Blogs

Parker McCollum Releases New Single, “Big Sky”

Parker McCollum is building anticipation for his forthcoming self-titled album with the release of his latest single, "Big Sky." McCollum had been teasing his new song – which dropped on Wednesday (May 7) – on social media over the past week. "Big Sky" joins McCollum’s earlier singles, "What Kinda Man" and "Hope That I'm Enough,"…

Parker McCollum Releases New Single, “Big Sky”

Parker McCollum is building anticipation for his forthcoming self-titled album with the release of his latest single, “Big Sky.” McCollum had been teasing his new song – which dropped on Wednesday (May 7) – on social media over the past week. “Big Sky” joins McCollum’s earlier singles, “What Kinda Man” and “Hope That I’m Enough,”…

Kelsea Ballerini Says People Criticizing Artists Transitioning To Country Music Need To “Check Themselves”

In a new ELLE digital cover story, Kelsea Ballerini is advocating for inclusivity in country music. The 31-year-old singer expressed support for artists transitioning into the genre – like Beyoncé, Post Malone, and Lana Del Rey – while also stressing the importance of embracing diversity. "If we, as country artists, feel like we can have…

Kelsea Ballerini Says People Criticizing Artists Transitioning To Country Music Need To “Check Themselves”

In a new ELLE digital cover story, Kelsea Ballerini is advocating for inclusivity in country music. The 31-year-old singer expressed support for artists transitioning into the genre – like Beyoncé, Post Malone, and Lana Del Rey – while also stressing the importance of embracing diversity. “If we, as country artists, feel like we can have…

Zach Bryan Signs New Deal With Warner Records, Reportedly Sells Publishing Catalog

In a pair of massive deals totaling $350 million, Zach Bryan has renewed his contract with Warner Records and is reportedly in the process of selling his publishing catalog. The recorded music deal with Warner is for at least two albums and was finalized on Sunday night after Warner faced tough competition from Universal to…

Zach Bryan Signs New Deal With Warner Records, Reportedly Sells Publishing Catalog

In a pair of massive deals totaling $350 million, Zach Bryan has renewed his contract with Warner Records and is reportedly in the process of selling his publishing catalog. The recorded music deal with Warner is for at least two albums and was finalized on Sunday night after Warner faced tough competition from Universal to…

Morgan Wallen Sharing “Superman” This Week, Last Single Ahead Of New Album Release

In an Instagram Story on Monday (May 5), Morgan Wallen announced that he will release his new single, “Superman” – a tribute to his son Indigo Wilder – on Friday (May 9), a week before he drops his highly-anticipated album, I’m the Problem. “It’s special to me for obvious reasons," Wallen wrote of “Superman” in…

Morgan Wallen Sharing “Superman” This Week, Last Single Ahead Of New Album Release

In an Instagram Story on Monday (May 5), Morgan Wallen announced that he will release his new single, “Superman” – a tribute to his son Indigo Wilder – on Friday (May 9), a week before he drops his highly-anticipated album, I’m the Problem. “It’s special to me for obvious reasons,” Wallen wrote of “Superman” in…

Sabrina Carpenter, The Strokes, Luke Combs, Doja Cat, Hozier Top 2025 ACL Fest Lineup

On Tuesday (May 6), the lineup was revealed for the 2025 Austin City Limits Festival, which will showcase a diverse set of headliners such as Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, Doja Cat, Luke Combs, and The Strokes. ACL will take place across two weekends in Austin’s Zilker Park from Oct. 3-5 and 10-12, with performances spread out…

Sabrina Carpenter, The Strokes, Luke Combs, Doja Cat, Hozier Top 2025 ACL Fest Lineup

On Tuesday (May 6), the lineup was revealed for the 2025 Austin City Limits Festival, which will showcase a diverse set of headliners such as Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, Doja Cat, Luke Combs, and The Strokes. ACL will take place across two weekends in Austin’s Zilker Park from Oct. 3-5 and 10-12, with performances spread out…