Blake Shelton Delivers Laughs With Funny Paul Overstreet Story During Surprise Hall of Fame Appearance

Blake Shelton shared a funny full-circle moment while honoring Paul Overstreet during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion ceremony on Sunday evening (Oct. 18).

The country superstar was one of several surprise guests who appeared at the CMA Theater inside the Country Music Hall of Fame to honor this year’s inductees. Shelton paid tribute to the legendary songwriter, who was actually his favorite country artist long before he became a country star himself.

In a true Blake Shelton moment, the Oklahoma native recalled the night he had the opportunity to meet Overstreet as a fan while he was still in high school.

Blake Shelton performs onstage during the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Class of 2026 Medallion Ceremony at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 18, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum “I got chills right now, Paul. I really do. And I’ll tell you why. In 1993, my favorite country artist, not songwriter, my favorite country artist was Paul Overstreet. And I had two friends in high school that as a gift, a surprise to me, they bought me tickets to see Paul Overstreet play at the Oklahoma State Fair. And we drove up there and Riders in the Sky were opening for you that night. I still remember it,” he shared. “And watched a show and I stood around outside of your bus until finally you just gave up. I know what that’s like now. You see somebody out there and you’re like, still out there? All right, well let’s just go. So I was that kid that night and you came down and you said hi and you signed my autograph and took a picture.”

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