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Red River Blue
The cover consists of Shelton wearing a grey suit against a blue background. The artist's name and album title is placed beside him on the left: "Blake" and "Red River Blue" are colored black, and "Shelton" is colored white.
Studio album by
Blake Shelton
ReleasedJuly 12, 2011 (2011-07-12)
GenreCountry
Length38:08
LabelWarner Bros. Nashville
ProducerScott Hendricks (all tracks)
Chris Stevens (track 10)
Craig Wiseman (track 10)
Blake Shelton chronology
Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton
(2010) 		Red River Blue
(2011) 		Cheers, It's Christmas
(2012)
Singles from Red River Blue
  1. "Honey Bee"
    Released: April 4, 2011
  2. "God Gave Me You"
    Released: July 25, 2011
  3. "Drink on It"
    Released: January 9, 2012
  4. "Over"
    Released: May 21, 2012

Red River Blue is the sixth studio album by American country music artist Blake Shelton. It was released on July 12, 2011, via Warner Bros. Records,[1] and is Shelton's inaugural No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, debuting at the top spot on July 30, 2011.[2] Four singles were released from the album: "Honey Bee", "God Gave Me You", "Drink on It", and "Over". All four singles peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard charts for Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay. "God Gave Me You" is a cover, written and originally recorded by Christian rock singer Dave Barnes. Red River Blue's title track is a duet with Shelton's then-wife and fellow country singer Miranda Lambert.

Red River Blue earned Shelton his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Album, and "Honey Bee" earned him his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Solo Performance. "Over" earned him a second nomination in the latter category. Shelton's cover of "God Gave Me You" earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Song.[3]

Background

[edit]

Shelton's marriage to Miranda Lambert and his debut as a judge on The Voice both occurred earlier in the same year as Red River Blue's release; one year before the album's release, Shelton joined the Grand Ole Opry and won the Country Music Association Award for Male Vocalist of the Year. The proximity of all these milestones to the album's release led Matt Bjorke of the website Roughstock to write that Red River Blue marked "the biggest album release of [Shelton's] career" since Shelton's self-titled debut album.[4]

Although the release date for Red River Blue was originally scheduled for September 2011, this was moved up to July of that year, so as to capitalize on the success of the album's lead single, "Honey Bee".[5][6] In April 2011, Shelton said, "Playing your cards too close to your chest doesn't pay out. I feel like right now if I've got a single that's exploding, easily my fastest climber, I don't want to do something like wait and put (the album) out in the fall. It's when you rally the troops and say, 'Man, we've got to get this thing done.'"[7] According to Thom Jurek of AllMusic, Shelton "only had half an album finished" at the time and was "given two weeks to complete the rest".[8]

Content

[edit]

The album's second single is a cover of "God Gave Me You", which was written and originally recorded by Contemporary Christian music artist Dave Barnes.[8][9] Shelton explained that he first heard the song during "a low point" in his relationship with Miranda Lambert and said, "for whatever reason I was flipping through stations and landed on a contemporary Christian station, and that song came on and I almost had to pull the truck over. It was one of those moments for me where I felt like I was hearing that song at that moment for a reason."[10][11]

Shelton duets with Lambert on the album's title track. The song was originally recorded by Ray Stephenson, who co-wrote it with Buddy Owens.[12] Shelton has said that his decision to cover the song was inspired by a time three years before the album's release when he and Lambert briefly broke up.[13]

Shelton duets with Martina McBride on "I'm Sorry", which had first been pitched to Shelton for one of his earlier albums, but Shelton was initially unsure if he was the right vocalist to record it. Calling it "a hard song to sing", he explained, "Once we got in there and cut it, I realized I can be comfortable with this."[14]

Shelton wanted Red River Blue's third single to be "one of the rowdier songs on the album" and considered "Get Some"[15] before "Drink On It" was chosen.[16] "Drink On It" was the last song Shelton recorded for the album.[16]

The album's fourth single, "Over", was written by Paul Jenkins and David Elliott Johnson, who originally planned on recording the song themselves for a rock band they were going to start together. They wrote the song at least a decade before Shelton recorded it.[17]

Reception

[edit]

Commercial

[edit]

The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at number one with 116,000 sold in the US in its debut week.[18] It is Blake Shelton's highest charting album and his first album to reach number one on this chart.[19] As of March 2015, the album has sold 1,240,000 copies in the US.[20] In 2016, it was certified double-platinum with sales of 2,000,000 units.[21]

Critical

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic(62/100)[22]
Review scores
SourceRating
About.comStarStarStarStar[23]
AllMusicStarStarStar[8]
American SongwriterStarStarStarHalf star[9]
The A.V. ClubC[24]
Entertainment WeeklyB[25]
Nashville Country ClubStarStarStarStar[26]
PopMattersStarStarStarStarStar[27]
Rolling StoneStarStarHalf star[28]
RoughstockStarStarStarStar[4]
Slant MagazineStarStarHalf star[29]
Taste of CountryStarStarStarStarStar[30]
Urban Country NewsStarStarStarStar[31]
USA TodayStarStarStar[32]

Red River Blue received a mixed to positive response from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 62, based on 9 reviews.[22]

The positive reviews came in from About.com, American Songwriter Entertainment Weekly, Nashville Country Club, Roughstock, Taste of Country, Urban Country News and the USA Today. Critic Scott Sexton of About.com rated the album a four out of five stars, and called this effort "Blake Shelton being at the top of his game".[23] Critic Allen Morrison of American Songwriter rated the album a three and a half out of five stars, and evoked how "Red River Blue should do nothing to slow his momentum."[9] Critic Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly graded the album a B, and exclaimed "Aww!"[25] Emily Wetta music critic for Nashville Country Club wrote that "While most of the songs have a word or phrase that is continually repeated, it still won't stop you from listening to the album on repeat. With heart warming love songs and the occasional feel good song, Red River Blue has great balance. Full of honest and raw emotion, Blake wins the hearts of all women and with songs like 'Get Some' wins the male audience."[26] Roughstock critic Matt Bjorke rated the album a four out of five stars, and called the album "...a collection of songs that may be the most satisfying album of Blake Shelton's career."[4] Music-critic Billy Dukes of Taste of Country rated the album as being perfect, and said "‘Red River Blue’ is Shelton hitting a homerun [sic] in a clutch situation as the eyes of the country music world are bearing down on him."[30] Liv Carter music critic for Urban Country News wrote "Red River Blue shows Shelton has reached the point in his career where he does exactly what he wants. Well put-together, greatly executed and (mostly) well-written...Red River Blue is a confident, contemporary country album which will cement Blake Shelton's country superstar status."[31] Music critic Brian Mansfield from USA Today wrote that "Longtime fans can hear Red River Blue's roguishly charming performances and feel confident that the Country Music Association's male vocalist of the year will find his biggest success."[32]

However, the album had some mixed reviews come in from AllMusic, The A.V. Club, PopMatters, Rolling Stone and Slant Magazine. Critic Thom Jurek of AllMusic rated the album a three out of five stars, and called the album "uncharacteristically tender."[8] The A.V. Club critic Steven Hyden gave the album a C grade, and commented that "He's in the creamy, mushy middle, which is exactly where he aims on Red River Blue."[24] Critic Dave Heaton of PopMatters gave the album a five out of ten stars, and noted that "Red River Blue's songs generally feel both cynical and overly familiar".[27] Rolling Stone music critic Will Hermes rated the album a two and a half out of five stars, and wrote that "Red River Blue is unlikely to offend anyone...[and it] shows similarly versatile market savvy."[28] Likewise, critic Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine gave it the same rating, and criticized the album because it "...proves that he's a capable singer who chooses to sing some lackluster songs."[29]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Honey Bee"Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip3:30
2."Ready to Roll"Jim Beavers, Jonathan Singleton, Chris Stapleton3:36
3."God Gave Me You"Dave Barnes3:50
4."Get Some"Zac Maloy, Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman3:32
5."Drink on It"Jessi Alexander, Rodney Clawson, Jon Randall3:31
6."Good Ol' Boys"Dallas Davidson3:08
7."I'm Sorry" (featuring Martina McBride)Chris DuBois, Ashley Gorley, Stapleton3:29
8."Sunny in Seattle"Beavers, DuBois, Stapleton3:27
9."Over"Paul Jenkins, David Elliott Johnson3:13
10."Hey"Clint Lagerberg, Tompkins, Wiseman3:31
11."Red River Blue" (duet with Miranda Lambert)Ray Stephenson, Buddy Owens3:21
Total length:38:08
iTunes Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."Chill"Don Poythress, Donnie Skaggs, Billy Joe Walker, Jr.3:27
13."Addicted"Cheryl Wheeler4:00
14."All About Tonight" (live) (pre-order only)  
15."Kiss My Country Ass" (live) (pre-order only)  
16."Who Are You When I'm Not Looking" (live) (pre-order only)  
17."She Wouldn't Be Gone" (live) (pre-order only)  
18."Hillbilly Bone" (live) (pre-order only)  
Target Re-release Deluxe Edition Bonus Track
No.TitleLength
12."Footloose"3:39

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Peak chart positions
US Country[43] Country Airplay[44] US[45] US AC CAN[46]
2011 "Honey Bee" 1 1 13 — 28
"God Gave Me You" 1 1 22 29 38
2012 "Drink on It" 1 1 39 — 53
"Over" 1 1 43 — 59
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Accolades

[edit]

Red River Blue was nominated for Best Country Album at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. At that same ceremony, "Honey Bee" and "God Gave Me You" were nominated respectively in the Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song categories.[47] The following year, "Over" earned Shelton another Grammy nomination in the Best Country Solo Performance category.[48]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[49] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Red River Blue

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Red River Blue is the sixth studio album by American country music singer Blake Shelton, released on July 12, 2011, through Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Scott Hendricks, it features 11 tracks that mix traditional country storytelling with contemporary pop elements, including duets with Martina McBride on "I'm Sorry" and Shelton's then-wife Miranda Lambert on the title track. The album marked a pivotal point in Shelton's career, coinciding with his rising prominence as a coach on the NBC singing competition The Voice and his marriage to Lambert earlier that year. Debuting at number one on the chart, Red River Blue sold 116,000 copies in its first week, becoming Shelton's first album to reach the top of the all-genre ranking and outperforming his previous best sales week of 77,000 units from 2003's The Dreamer. The project spawned four consecutive number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart—"Honey Bee," "God Gave Me You," "Drink on It," and "Over"—contributing to its commercial success. Certified double by the RIAA in 2016 for shipments exceeding two million units in the United States, the album solidified Shelton's status as a leading figure in mainstream . Critical reception was generally positive, with reviewers praising Shelton's charismatic vocals and the album's accessible, radio-friendly sound, though some noted its polished production as occasionally formulaic. Tracks like the upbeat "Honey Bee" and the emotional ballad "God Gave Me You" highlighted Shelton's versatility, blending humor, romance, and heartfelt narratives drawn from his Oklahoma roots.

Background and production

Development

Red River Blue marked a pivotal point in Blake Shelton's career, serving as his sixth studio album and the follow-up to his 2009 release Startin' Fires. Initial song selection and recording of about five tracks occurred in early 2011 before the rush. Development accelerated amid Shelton's rising prominence, including his induction into the Grand Ole Opry in October 2010 and his role as a coach on NBC's The Voice. The album was primarily produced by Scott Hendricks, a longtime collaborator known for his work with artists like , who aimed to capture Shelton's evolving sound blending traditional country with contemporary pop elements. Song selection drew from top Nashville songwriters such as , , and , emphasizing themes of love, rural life, and personal reflection that aligned with Shelton's life at the time. The project's timeline accelerated dramatically following the April 2011 release of the "," co-written by Hayslip and Akins specifically for Shelton. The track's unexpected rapid ascent to No. 1 on the chart, selling over 138,000 copies in its debut week, prompted Warner Bros. Records to expedite production to capitalize on the momentum. At that stage, only about half the —roughly five tracks—was recorded, leaving six to seven songs unfinished. Shelton and Hendricks convened for an intense two-week session in Nashville, finalizing the record despite Shelton's impending honeymoon with . This rushed approach, while challenging, resulted in a cohesive uptempo collection that Shelton later described as exciting, driven by the song's viral appeal. The album's title derived from its closing ballad, "Red River Blue," penned by Ray Stephenson and Buddy Owens, featuring imagery of the Red River, which forms the border between and , as an allegory for heartbreak tying into Shelton's roots. This track, featuring a duet vocal from Lambert, reflected the personal optimism in Shelton's life post-marriage, contrasting earlier works. Other key inclusions like "," written by and recorded by Shelton during a challenging period in his relationship with Lambert, underscored the album's emotional depth, with Shelton prioritizing songs that fit his delivery and narrative style. The development process highlighted Shelton's growing artistic confidence, allowing him to balance commercial pressures with authentic storytelling.

Recording

The recording sessions for Red River Blue were notably rushed to leverage the breakout success of lead single "Honey Bee," which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in just 10 weeks, alongside Blake Shelton's heightened visibility as a coach on the debut season of NBC's The Voice. Initially planned to commence after the show's April–June 2011 run concluded, the process was accelerated amid Shelton's personal milestones, including his May 2011 wedding to Miranda Lambert and subsequent honeymoon, enabling a rapid turnaround for the album's July 12, 2011, release via Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Scott Hendricks, a longtime collaborator who had helmed Shelton's prior albums and brought a polished, contemporary sound to the project, the sessions emphasized Shelton's versatile and incorporated contributions from prominent Nashville session musicians. Tracking occurred across multiple facilities, with primary work in Nashville at Blackbird Studios, Ocean Way Nashville, Omni Sound Studios, and Superphonic Studios, supplemented by sessions at Warner Studios and Arrowhead Studios. Outlying locations included Starstruck Studios, FabMusic, and Riverview Back Porch, as well as Odds On Recording in , reflecting the album's collaborative and geographically dispersed production.

Musical content

Style and themes

Red River Blue exemplifies contemporary , blending mainstream production techniques with traditional elements to create a polished yet accessible sound. The album features a mix of mid-tempo tracks with infectious bluesy basslines, such as in "Ready to Roll," and funky arrangements incorporating piano and solos in songs like "Hey" and "Get Some." Ballads like "Over" and "" employ overwrought 1980s-style guitar solos and drum machines, contributing to a high-octane, compressed aesthetic typical of state-of-the-art Nashville production by Scott Hendricks. This results in a workmanlike blend of country-cred posturing, pop ballads, and influences, often described as blue-jeaned and straightforward with a thick . Thematically, the album explores personal relationships, heartbreak, and rural American life, reflecting Shelton's experiences with career success and marriage to . Love songs dominate, ranging from playful come-ons and casual escapism in uptempo tracks like "Honey Bee" and "Drink on It" to schmaltzy, faith-infused ballads such as "," which emphasizes redemption through partnership. Nostalgia for traditional values appears in "Good Ole Boys," a for simplicity, while the title track "Red River Blue" delivers an achingly sad of loss, enhanced by Lambert's harmonies. Regret and everyday routines infuse tracks like "I'm Sorry" and "Get Some," adding a cynical yet humorous edge to the collection's overall character of good-ol'-boy charm mixed with relational introspection.

Notable songs

The album Red River Blue produced four consecutive number-one singles on the chart, marking a significant commercial milestone for . These tracks, released between 2011 and 2012, showcased a mix of upbeat party anthems, heartfelt ballads, and mid-tempo reflections on love and relationships, contributing to the album's overall success. The , "," written by and , is a lively, flirtatious tune comparing a romantic interest to a buzzing , emphasizing playful attraction and summer romance. Released on April 4, 2011, it debuted at number 36 on the chart before topping it for four weeks and reaching number 13 on the Hot 100. The song's infectious energy and Shelton's charismatic delivery helped propel the album's anticipation. Following was "God Gave Me You," a faith-infused penned by , expressing gratitude for a partner's role in overcoming personal hardships. Issued on July 25, 2011, it ascended to number one on the chart for three weeks, also peaking at number 19 on the Hot 100 and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Country Song. Critics praised its emotional sincerity and Shelton's vulnerable vocal performance as a standout moment on the record. "Drink on It," co-written by , , and , delivers a humorous, laid-back about sharing drinks to ease romantic tensions, blending barroom camaraderie with lighthearted . Released on January 9, 2012, it became Shelton's 11th number-one hit on the chart, holding the top spot for two weeks. The track's relatable theme and catchy chorus exemplified the album's accessible party-country vibe. Closing the singles run, "Over," written by Paul Jenkins and David Elliott Johnson, explores the overwhelming intensity of new love through vivid metaphors of emotional surrender. Sent to radio on May 21, 2012, it secured the number-one position on the chart for two weeks, marking Shelton's 12th chart-topper overall. Reviewers noted its polished production and Shelton's strong interpretation as key to its enduring appeal. Beyond the singles, tracks like "Ready to Roll" and the title song "Red River Blue" received attention for their rock-infused energy and introspective lyrics, respectively, though they did not chart as singles. "Ready to Roll," co-written by , captures the thrill of weekend escapism, while the melancholic title track reflects on lost love amid landscapes, featuring vocals from . The duet "I'm Sorry," with , adds emotional depth to themes of regret. These songs highlighted Shelton's versatility within contemporary .

Release and promotion

Marketing

The marketing campaign for Red River Blue emphasized Blake Shelton's charismatic and leveraged his rising mainstream visibility, particularly through a humorous branding that positioned him as "the most interesting man in country music." This approach, reminiscent of Dos Equis ads, highlighted Shelton's blend of humor, authenticity, and country roots to appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences discovering him via . A key element was the strategic timing of the lead single "," released on April 4, 2011, which quickly climbed to multi-week No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart and achieved digital platinum status, building anticipation for the album's July 12 release. The campaign capitalized on Shelton's debut as a coach on NBC's The Voice, which premiered shortly after the single's launch, providing extensive TV exposure during the show's first season and aligning with the album's rollout to broaden his appeal beyond . Pre-order promotions played a significant role, offering exclusive bonus tracks and live recordings via Shelton's official website, while a CD/DVD bundle exclusive to included additional performance content to drive retail sales. Warner Music Nashville ramped up through covers and targeted TV appearances, such as performances on major networks, to amplify the album's fun, party-oriented vibe and Shelton's relatable image.

Singles

Red River Blue yielded four singles, all of which reached number one on the chart, marking a significant commercial milestone for . The lead single, "", was released on April 4, 2011. It debuted at number 31 on the chart and ascended to number one within 10 weeks, holding the top position for four consecutive weeks. The track also peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100. Following the album's release, the second single "God Gave Me You" came out on July 25, 2011. Written by , it topped the chart for three weeks starting October 29, 2011, and reached number 22 on the Hot 100. "Drink on It", the third single, was issued on January 9, 2012. Penned by , , and , it climbed to number one on the chart in April 2012, becoming Shelton's 11th chart-topper in the format. The song peaked at number 39 on the Hot 100. The album's fourth and final single, "Over", was released on May 21, 2012. It achieved number one status on the chart for two weeks in August 2012, extending Shelton's streak of consecutive leaders from the project.
SingleRelease datePeak on Peak on Hot 100
""April 4, 20111 (4 weeks)13
""July 25, 20111 (3 weeks)22
"Drink on It"January 9, 20121 (2 weeks)39
"Over"May 21, 20121 (2 weeks)43

Reception

Critical reception

Red River Blue received generally mixed to favorable reviews from music critics, with praise centered on Blake Shelton's charismatic vocals and the album's polished production, though some noted its formulaic approach to mainstream country. On aggregate review site , the album earned a score of 62 out of 100 based on nine reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception, with four positive and five mixed assessments. AllMusic reviewer Thom Jurek awarded the 3.5 out of five stars, commending Shelton's "towering " on ballads like "Red River Blue" and "I'm Sorry," which he described as emotional highlights that showcase the singer's interpretive depth, while critiquing the overall set as "thoroughly commercial" and reliant on predictable radio-friendly structures. Similarly, gave it 3.5 out of five stars, calling it a "recognizable record: blue-jeaned and workmanlike, by turns corny and horny," and highlighting tracks like "" for their upbeat, hook-driven appeal that suits Shelton's good-ol'-boy persona. Country Universe's Leeann Ward rated the album three stars, viewing it as a "solid improvement" over Shelton's prior releases due to his strong vocal delivery on uptempo numbers like "Get Some" and the title track, but faulting several ballads for "overwrought production" and bland song choices that dilute the project's potential. Taste of Country offered a more enthusiastic take, declaring it a "homerun" that positions Shelton as a superstar, with particular acclaim for heartfelt performances on "" and the duet "Red River Blue" featuring , which was seen as a potential awards contender. American Songwriter's Allen Morrison praised the record's "state-of-the-art production" by Scott Hendricks and Shelton's storytelling charm on tracks like "Good Ole Boys," likening it to an updated classic, but noted its predictability and compressed sound as hallmarks of mainstream Nashville demands. described the album as a "pretty decent starter course" in Shelton's catalog, appreciating the balance of playful energy in "Drink On It" and Lambert's harmonies on the title track, while dismissing "God Gave Me You" as a mismatched "bland cover." Overall, reviewers agreed that Red River Blue solidified Shelton's status in contemporary through accessible, personality-driven songs, even if it rarely ventured beyond genre conventions.

Commercial performance

Red River Blue debuted at number one on the US chart, selling 116,000 copies in its first week and marking Blake Shelton's first chart-topping album on the all-genre ranking. It also topped the Top Country Albums chart in its debut week, underscoring Shelton's strong hold in the market. The album's initial sales surge was propelled by the "Honey Bee," which had already achieved significant radio airplay and digital downloads prior to the release. By July 2013, Red River Blue had surpassed one million units sold in the , becoming Shelton's first million-selling . It ultimately reached sales of over two million copies, reflecting sustained popularity through streaming and continued radio support for its singles. The (RIAA) certified the album in January 2012 for shipments of 500,000 units, on February 13, 2013, for one million units, and 2× Platinum on October 7, 2016, for two million units. This commercial milestone highlighted Shelton's transition to mainstream stardom, with the album contributing significantly to his overall catalog sales exceeding 13 million albums in the by the mid-2010s.

Charts and sales

Weekly charts

"Red River Blue" debuted at number one on the US chart, selling 116,000 copies in its first week, marking Blake Shelton's first chart-topping album on the all-genre ranking. It also topped the chart in the same week. The album remained on the [Billboard 200](/page/Billboard 200) for a total of 166 weeks, showcasing its enduring popularity.
Chart (2011)Peak position
Canadian Albums (Billboard)13
US Billboard 2001
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)1
UK Country Artists Albums (OCC)7

Year-end charts

Red River Blue achieved placements on Billboard's year-end album charts, demonstrating sustained popularity in the year of its release and the following year.
Chart (Year)Position
US Billboard 200 (2011)72
US Top Country Albums (2011)39
US Billboard 200 (2012)67
The 2011 rankings reflect the album's strong debut and sales momentum, while its 2012 position highlights continued consumer interest amid competition from new releases.

Certifications

Red River Blue has received multiple certifications from the (RIAA) for sales and streaming in the United States. The album was first certified by the RIAA on January 27, 2012, denoting 500,000 equivalent units. It achieved status on January 18, 2013, recognizing 1,000,000 units, marking Blake Shelton's first Platinum album certification. The RIAA upgraded the certification to 2× Platinum on October 7, 2016, for surpassing 2,000,000 units. No international certifications for the album have been reported.
RegionCertificationCertifying bodyUnits certifiedCertification date
United StatesRIAA500,000January 27, 2012
United StatesRIAA1,000,000January 18, 2013
United States2× PlatinumRIAA2,000,000October 7, 2016

Credits

Track listing

The standard edition of Red River Blue features eleven tracks, written by various songwriters in the genre.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1"Honey Bee", 3:30
2"Ready to Roll"Jim Beavers, , 3:37
3"God Gave Me You"3:50
4"Get Some"Zac Maloy, , 3:32
5"Drink on It", , 3:32
6"Good Ole Boys"3:09
7"I'm Sorry", , 3:29
8"Sunny in Seattle"Jim Beavers, , 3:28
9"Over"Paul Jenkins, David Elliott Johnson3:13
10"Hey"Clint Lagerberg, , 3:31
11"Red River Blue"Buddy Owens, Ray Stephenson3:22
Deluxe and digital editions include additional bonus tracks, such as "Addicted".

Personnel

The album Red River Blue was produced by Scott Hendricks, with additional production by Chris Stevens on select tracks. Musicians
  • Acoustic guitar: , Ilya Toshinsky
  • Bass: Mike Brignardello, , Chris Stevens
  • Drums: Chris McHugh, Greg Morrow
  • Electric guitar: , Paul Jenkins, Troy Lancaster, Brent Mason, Adam Shoenfeld
  • Fiddle/mandolin: Aubrey Haynie
  • Hammond organ B-3/piano: Tim Akers, , Chris Stevens
  • Harmonica: Chris Stevens
  • Keyboard: Charlie Judge
  • Pedal steel guitar: Paul Franklin, Mike Johnson, Russ Pahl
  • Percussion: Eric Darken, Chris McHugh, Greg Morrow
  • Strings: Conni Ellisor, Elizabeth Lamb, Pamela Sixfin, Carole Rabinowitz, Eberhard Ramm
Background vocals Technical staff
  • Mixing: Justin Niebank (assistant: Drew Bollman)
  • Mastering:
  • Recording engineers: Steve Marcantonio (assistants: Steve Blackmon, Bryan Graban, Jacob Murray)

References

  1. https://www.amazon.com/Red-River-Blue-Blake-Shelton/dp/B0050PLTDC
  2. https://americansongwriter.com/blake-shelton-red-river-blue/
  3. https://music.apple.com/us/album/red-river-blue-bonus-tracks-edition/663114146
  4. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/blake-sheltons-river-runs-to-no-1-on-billboard-200-469172/
  5. https://tasteofcountry.com/blake-shelton-red-river-blue-no-1/
  6. https://music.youtube.com/browse/MPREb_HWCnjGlSiDi
  7. https://headlineplanet.com/home/2016/10/11/blake-sheltons-based-true-story-red-river-blue-certified-double-platinum/
  8. https://www.wideopencountry.com/the-song-that-forced-blake-shelton-to-rush-out-a-record-to-capitalize-on-success/
  9. https://theboot.com/blake-shelton-red-river-blue-new-album-2011/
  10. https://tasteofcountry.com/blake-shelton-red-river-blue/
  11. https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/review-red-river-blue-finds-blake-shelton-less-rowdy-idUSTRE76A6V5/
  12. https://www.discogs.com/release/4501899-Blake-Shelton-Red-River-Blue
  13. https://www.allmusic.com/album/red-river-blue-mw0002164920
  14. https://www.countryuniverse.net/2011/07/23/album-review-blake-shelton-red-river-blue/
  15. https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/blake-shelton-red-river-blue/
  16. https://www.popmatters.com/146136-blake-shelton-red-river-blue-2495970316.html
  17. https://www.billboard.com/music/country/blake-shelton-songs-best-hits-list-7850172/
  18. https://www.billboard.com/pro/blake-shelton-honey-bee-chart-rewind-2011/
  19. https://www.billboard.com/artist/blake-shelton/chart-history/cdt/
  20. https://americansongwriter.com/the-story-behind-the-song-god-gave-me-you/
  21. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country-lists/blake-sheltons-10-best-musical-drinking-buddies-78202/
  22. https://theboot.com/top-blake-shelton-songs-2/
  23. https://tasteofcountry.com/blake-shelton-song-that-shocked-him/
  24. https://www.americansongwriter.com/blake-shelton-red-river-blue/
  25. https://musicrow.com/2011/07/sales-strategy-shakedown/
  26. https://www.dmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2011/12/pop-music-in-2011-country%25E2%2580%2599s-dynamic-duo/
  27. https://countrymusicnewsblog.com/blake-shelton-red-river-blue-review/
  28. https://www.billboard.com/lists/hot-country-songs-70th-anniversary-top-70-country-songs-1989-2014/
  29. https://music.apple.com/us/song/honey-bee/663114226
  30. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Honey+Bee+by+Blake+Shelton&id=127628
  31. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/blake-shelton/god-gave-me-you/
  32. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/blake-shelton/drink-on-it
  33. https://www.billboard.com/pro/blake-shelton-nails-sixth-straight-no-1-on-country-songs/
  34. https://www.countryuniverse.net/2012/05/06/single-review-blake-shelton-over/
  35. https://wfxd.com/number-one-country-song/blake-shelton-over/
  36. https://www.metacritic.com/music/red-river-blue/blake-shelton
  37. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/red-river-blue-116814/
  38. https://allenmorrison.com/allen-morrison-articles-reviews-etc/cd-review-blake-shelton-red-river-blue-in-american-songwriter-magazine/
  39. https://theboot.com/blake-shelton-red-river-blue-no-1-album/
  40. https://www.billboard.com/pro/blake-shelton-nets-first-million-selling-album/
  41. https://www.riaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2016-RIAA-Awards.pdf
  42. https://musicrow.com/2012/01/shelton-celebrates-certifications-heads-to-super-bowl-with-lambert/
  43. https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Fun-Blake-Shelton-Earn-First-Platinum-Album-Certifications-20130213
  44. https://musicrow.com/2016/11/blake-shelton-luke-bryan-carrie-underwood-mine-precious-riaa-metal-in-october/
  45. https://tsort.info/music/artisa.htm
  46. https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2011-07-30
  47. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/blake-shelton-red-river-blue/
  48. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/5514
  49. https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2011/top-country-albums/
  50. https://www.riaa.com/new-year-brings-six-first-time-gold-platinum-album-award-winners/
  51. https://www.riaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/RIAA-Oct-16-awards.pdf
  52. https://musicbrainz.org/release/bdadbb9c-bc6b-449b-99b1-849407a62019
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