Blake Shelton and Ray Price Meet
Any suspicions that country legend Ray Price still harbors resentment toward Blake Shelton can now be laid to rest. The two respected members of the country music community came face to face this week, which means there's now photographic proof that they have buried the hatchet.
"Country music binds us together! We are a family. Forever and always. Tonight was a celebration of friends and heroes," Shelton's wife, Miranda Lambert, reveals in the caption of the photo, which she shared on WhoSay.
No specifics regarding Shelton and Price's conversation were included, but considering that Price publicly accepted Shelton's apology following his controversial "old fart" comments, we imagine that they came together over their self-proclaimed adoration for the rich history of country music.
Or perhaps, the two were getting a good laugh from the rumor that Price had offered Shelton an opening act slot for an upcoming show, limiting the CMA's current Entertainer of the Year to a mere 30-minute set. (In fact, it was a promoter for the show who made the offer -- not Price).
Shelton first came under fire earlier last month following comments suggesting that “Nobody wants to listen to their grandpa’s music." He went on, “I don’t care how many of these old farts around Nashville going, ‘My God, that ain’t country!’ Well that’s because you don’t buy records anymore, jacka–. The kids do, and they don’t want to buy the music you were buying.”
Price fired back immediately via his official Facebook page, igniting a war between Shelton's fans and diehard traditionalists. Shelton later elaborated on his initial remarks with some clarification and an apology.
“I absolutely have no doubt I could have worded it better (as always ha!) and I apologize to Mr. Price and any other heroes of mine that it may offended,” the 'God Gave Me You' singer concluded. “I meant every word I said. Country music is my life and it’s future AND past is important to me. I’ll put my love and respect and knowledge about it up against anybody out there… ANYBODY…”
While he did suffer some backlash from his comments, Shelton is still flying up the charts with his latest single 'Sure Be Cool if You Did,' which is sitting at No. 12 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart after only four weeks. The track is the first offering from the singer's yet-to-be-titled upcoming album release.