During a recent trip to Gatlinburg, I discovered a new restaurant called “Ole Red,” which carries the same name as a hit song by its co-owner, Blake Shelton.

This newest Tennessee food/entertainment venue is one of four for this country music superstar, and while I couldn’t get in because of the massive crowds, I’m sure there was plenty of Blake atmosphere to go around.

As soon as I returned home, I ran through the television channels one night looking for something decent to watch when I came across Shelton, once more, serving as one of the original judges on “The Voice,” a musical competition show.

His homespun humor and musical talent have made him a contestant and fan favorite. I don’t know if there is data to back it up, but I would say Ol’ Blake is hotter than a $2 pistol right now – musically speaking and otherwise. In checking out his “Friends and Heroes” tour schedule, I saw upcoming stops is some big-time venues.

And with all that going on, he is also supposed to release new music this spring. I’m not sure where he gets all the time but, somehow, he manages.

The thing I like about Shelton is that I always recognize his voice. It’s not necessarily that we haven’t heard this bad-boy kind of country music before, but he sounds like Blake, not the hundred other male artists out there who all seem to sound the same.

They’re really good, but I never know who I’m listening to just by identifying their voice. I always know when Shelton is on the air.

Another thing is, he records good songs. His music is relatable and he is able to bring in songs from other genres and make them his own. A fine example of that is the Michael Bublé hit “Home.” Shelton released his rendition in 2008 on the album Pure BS.

I love both versions, but Shelton made it sound all his own. He also took the Kenny Loggins hit “Footloose” and gave it the Shelton spin, making it a whole new song – at least to me, and I was a huge fan of the 1984 original and played it onstage many times back in the day.

It’s hard for me to pick out my favorite Blake Shelton song because they all seem to be so good. I can’t wait for the new music … and I hope to make my way back to Gatlinburg to see if his restaurant is as good as his music.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of music. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.