Post Malone’s country era is just getting started, according to Blake Shelton.
The country legend appeared on The Pat McAfee Show today to talk about what he’s up to aside from his upcoming appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay, his life since he walked away from being a judge on The Voice, as well as working with Posty on his recent #1 country album, F-1 Trillion.
And like many of the collaborators on the new record, Blake commented on how much knowledge Post had of the country genre and the history of it, and said Post actually introduced him to some older, more classic artists that he didn’t even know in country:
“I think the reason it’s working so well with Post is it’s not something that he’s just trying, like a one-off thing. The guy grew up in the Fort Worth area down in Texas, he grew up listening to George Strait and country music, and it’s truly something that helped create the artist that he is.
So it’s not something that he’s just trying, it’s something that he’s finally getting to do, is how I feel about it with Post. Because he’s so knowledgeable about country music and the writers and the musicians… the first time I got a chance to sit and talk to him just about country music, I was blown away, you know?
Because he was telling me stuff that I didn’t know, and he’s fans of musicians that he’s introducing me to that are old school, even.”
The respect and love Post has for country has been extremely evident throughout the process as far as I can tell, and Blake says that it was a natural progression in terms of the inspirations that shape Post as an artist, that goes well beyond the rap and pop music he was known for.
And actually, he addressed something that I’ve been wondering since the album came out and has been so successful, which is whether or not this was a one-time project, or Post had plans to stay and keep making country music.
I mean, he completely immersed himself in the Nashville scene with writers and musicians that are truly some of the best in the business, and even has some of them playing in his band on tour now. I don’t think anyone would really be surprised if he went back to rap and pop after this venture, but Blake seems to think this is really the music Post has always wanted to make and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Some will love that, some will hate it, but I actually think it’s a great thing for the genre in general, because bands like Muscadine Bloodline are touring with Post now, for example, and an entirely new group of fans are being exposed to artists and music they probably never would’ve listened to otherwise:
“The fact that it’s truly coming from a place of, I think a dam finally burst with him and he’s able to do this thing that he’s always wanted todo versus just trying something different, you know?
I feel like Post is probably here to stay in country music and it’s fun. I love that kid so much, he’s so much fun to be around. It’s no wonder that he’s one of the biggest stars on the planet, because he’s just such a lovable guy… he’s exactly who you want him to be when you talk to him. He’s just the greatest dude, he really is.”
I’ll be honest, there were so many other artists I was hoping Post would work with on F-1 Trillion like Tyler Childers, Colter Wall and Sturgill Simpson, so if he does plan to continue making country music, I really hope we might finally get to see some of those collabs too (or at least, they might write a song or two together?).
Stay tuned…
Here’s the full clip:
“Post Malone grew up in Texas & he grew up listening to country music..
It’s truly something that helped create the artist is..
He’s so knowledgable & I feel like he’s hear to stay in country music..
I love that kid & he’s so much fun to be around”@blakeshelton #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/FrhEGSZOKz
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 19, 2024
Blake was featured on one of the pre-released singles “Pour Me A Drink,” which is currently in the Top 10 at mainstream country radio.
“Pour Me A Drink”
