The Doghouse at Ole Red Tishomingo,hostedasold-out show to commemorate Blake Shelton’s birthday with the 7th annual celebration. The entertainment for the event was Blake Nation, a tribute band to Blake Shelton.
DavidNewton,FakeBlake as he is proudly called, said he always feels at home when he and his band put on a show at OleRedTishomingo.Surprisingly, there were many first timers at the show as well as committed supporters that follow Blake Nation from near and far.
Some followers that make the show every year traveled from Pennsylvania, Florida and Georgia. A devoted fan, Melanie Lannen from Wagoner, Okla., said she attends as many Ole Red events as possible, in hopes of encountering Shelton as do many that attend.
Blake Nation has a lineup of musicians, including founder and vocalists David NewtonandhiswifeKymber, Gary Ishee (guitar), Mark Louis (bass) Phillip Walker (keyboard), Andy Pruyn (drummer) and Dave “Okie Dave” Alexander (pedal steel). The group was nominated DFW 2023 Country Music Choice Award winner voted by fans.
They traveled to Canada last year for a performance at a race car festival. They sing all Shelton’s chartbusters and his newest release “Texas” and fan favorite “Austin.”
This birthday bash was accompanied by a smoked chicken dinner and a birthday cake, as well. The fans joined Blake Nation in singing Happy Birthday to Shelton and everybody signed a card.
A new and upcoming artist opened for Blake Nation. Dax Beason is an 18-year-old young man from Lexington, Okla., who is attending college at Murray State. Along with singing various genres of music, he is a songwriter. Between attending college on a fishing scholarship, he can be seen in the line-up at Ole Red.