Blake Sheltonjust threw it way back in celebration of his illustrious career onstage at the 56th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
The six-time ACM Award-winner, 44, kicked off his medley performance at Sunday night’s show with his debut studio single, “Austin,” in honor of the 20th anniversary of the tune.
The star continued strumming his guitar as he went on to deliver his latest single,“Minimum Wage.” He then introduced the beloved Dolly Parton, who announced Leslie Jordan to present the ACM award for duo of the year.
Blake Shelton.Kevin Mazur/Getty
Hours before his incredible performance, Shelton shared a post onInstagram, captioning it, “We’re getting close y’all!!! Who’s ready to watch Blake perform on the@ACMawards?”
Check out PEOPLE’s fullACM Awards coverageto get the latest news on one of country music’s biggest nights.
Blake Shelton.Jason Kempin/ACMA2021/Getty Images
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Released in April 2001, “Austin” was Shelton’s first No. 1 hit on theBillboardHot Country Songs chart andcatapulted him to stardom. Since then, he has released 11 studio albums (his 12th,Body Language, is set for release in May) and embarked on nine headlining tours.
Shelton — who isup for the music event of the yearaward alongside fiancéeGwen Stefanifor their duet"Nobody But You"— recently reflected on his two-decade-long career in a conversation with PEOPLE, saying, “I would have told myself to get more rest back then.”
“These days I’m just kind of a slow slug,” he added. “Luckily I got the job onThe Voiceand I get to sit in the red chair most of the time for a living.”
As he gears up for a jam-packed future, Shelton is amazed atall he’s been able to accomplishin the last two decades.
“Here I am sitting here talking to you 20 years later after ‘Austin’ came out — not only talking to you but talking aboutnew music that’s still coming out,” he told PEOPLE. “I don’t know how this happened to me, but I thank God every day. I’ve just been super blessed and super lucky. It’s unbelievable.”
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During a March appearance onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, Stefani, 51, spoke about her collaborations with Shelton and said she was still reeling from their ACM Awards nomination.
Speaking about her success in country music, theNo Doubtsinger said she “really just hopped on a couple” of Shelton’s songs, which she called an “honor.”
“Blake Shelton has 27 No. 1 radio hits — I never in my wildest dreams would imagine being part of that,” she told hostEllen DeGeneres. “To be on a song that goes No. 1 in a genre that I have no business being part of, twice, and now up for these awards, it’s pretty monumental and exciting and unexpected.”
The 2021 ACM Awards are airing live from Nashville from 8-11 p.m. Sunday on CBS and Paramount +.
source: people.com
