Ray Price Attacks Blake Shelton for Comments About Classic Country Fans

Legendary country star Ray Price is not happy with reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Blake Shelton, and he’s not afraid to say so in public. In a Facebook post today, the 87-year-old entertainer took issue with comments Shelton made to GAC, in which he derided old country fans for not understanding the music of the new generation.

Shelton made his comments as a part of GAC’s ‘Backstory’ episode devoted to his career. “Nobody wants to listen to their grandpa’s music,” the singer stated, adding, “And 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 read the comments via Saving Country Music, and he wasted no time in responding, posting the following:

“It’s a shame that I have spend 63 years in this business trying to introduce music to a larger audience and to make it easier for the younger artists who are coming behind me. Every now and then some young artist will record a rock and roll type song , have a hit first time out with kids only. This is why you see stars come with a few hits only and then just fade away believing they are God’s answer to the world. This guy sounds like in his own mind that his head is so large no hat ever made will fit him. Stupidity Reigns Supreme!!!!!!! Ray Price (CHIEF “OLD FART” & JACKA–”) ” P.S. YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY AS US OLD-TIMERS. CHECK BACK IN 63 YEARS (THE YEAR 2075) AND LET US KNOW HOW YOUR NAME AND YOUR MUSIC WILL BE REMEMBERED.

Musical comedian Ray Stevens also responded to Shelton’s comments in a statement through his publicist. “I just heard Blake Shelton’s remarks about ‘old farts and jacka–es’ and all I want to know is how he found out the title to my next single because it’s been a closely guarded secret here at the ‘Home,’” he said with trademark humor. “It will be available on vinyl or 8-Track at your nearest Tower Records store.”

Shelton himself responded to Price’s comments via Twitter this afternoon, hoping to clear the air and apologize for offending the legend. “Whoa!!! I heard I offended one of my all time favorite artists Ray Price by my statement ‘Nobody wants to listen to their grandpas music,’” he posted. But Shelton didn’t back down from his statements, arguing that new artists have to keep re-inventing country music “the way Mr. Price did along his journey as a mainstream country artist.”

Shelton cited Price’s classic ‘For the Good Times’ as an example of a track that was groundbreaking in its time. But he still insists that his initial commentary — while maybe too strongly-worded — was accurate.

“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,” Shelton 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…”

Next: See a Pic of Blake Shelton at the Start of His Career

Source: Ray Price Attacks Blake Shelton for Comments About Classic Country Fans