Blake Shelton Wins First Academy of Country Music Award With Number One Hit Hillbilly Bone

NASHVILLE, TN--(Marketwire - April 18, 2010) - Reprise Recording Artist Blake Shelton wins his first Academy of Country Music Award. Last night, Shelton's world changed as he won an ACM Award in the Vocal Event Of The Year category with his longtime friend Trace Adkins for their No. 1 single, "Hillbilly Bone." The award was given to Shelton and Adkins in an off-camera award presentation last night by Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music.

"This has been an amazing year for me," said Shelton. "If you would have asked me ten years ago when I started out that I would have an Academy of Country Music Award and a performance on the award show, I would have thought you were pulling my leg."

Shelton continues, "I have to thank Trace above everyone. Winning an award with your friend makes it even more special. My managers Brandon and Narvel Blackstock who have helped guide me on this wonderful and wild ride. Of course everyone in my band and crew. A lot of these guys have been with me from the beginning. Country radio for consistently supporting me and playing my songs. The Warner Music Nashville family for not being afraid to try new things with me. Scott Hendricks, my producer, who found "Hillbilly Bone." And of course the best for last... my fans. I love you guys!!"

Shelton recently released his SIX PAK album Hillbilly Bone and it debuted at No. 3 on Billboard's Top 200 chart, making it the week's highest charting debut album and his highest debut of his career on the all-genre chart. The new album also came in at No. 2 on the Top Country Albums Chart. Scott Hendricks produced the album and it features the No. 1 title track with Trace Adkins. Startin' Fires, Shelton's last album, featured the single "I'll Just Hold On," which broke into the Top 10 on the country singles charts and was the follow-up to his back-to-back multi-week No. 1 singles "She Wouldn't Be Gone" and "Home." Shelton's hits also include his five-week No. 1 debut single, "Austin," and two additional multi-week No. 1 singles, "The Baby" and "Some Beach."

For additional information on Blake Shelton, please visit www.blakeshelton.com.

For more information, please contact Tree Paine at Warner Music Nashville: 615.214.1500 / Tree.paine@wmg.com