Blake Shelton Says ‘I’m Sorry’ on Upcoming Album

With his current single, 'Honey Bee,' sitting comfortably at No. 1, a high-profile gig coaching a new generation of singers on 'The Voice,' and his ninth studio album, 'Red River Blue,' set to hit store shelves on July 12, Blake Shelton is at the top of his game. With his new level of fame, the country crooner admits a newfound confidence, especially during the recording of 'I'm Sorry' for his new album.

"'I'm Sorry' is a song that I've had in my back pocket for a few years now," says Blake. "We were pitched the song a couple albums ago, but the only reason I haven't cut it is a fear of whether I could perform that vocal or not. It's a hard song to sing. Once we got in there and cut it, I realized I can be comfortable with this."

Despite his strong delivery, the singer felt the track was missing something. So, Blake enlisted Martina McBride to provide harmonies on the big-voiced ballad.

"I sent John [McBride] and Martina's daughter, Delaney, a text that said, 'Do you think your mom would sing on my record with me?'" Blake recalls. "She said, 'Too bad you don't have the nerve to ask her yourself!' She pop-smarted something off to me! [laughs]"

After mustering up the nerve, Blake asked and Martina obliged. "The record would not be half the record it is without her voice on it," he confesses.

Of the new album, Blake tells The Boot, "There's a handful of things that people would expect from me about in-breeding and drinking and dogs stuck together and stuff like that, but there will be plenty of positive, fun love songs, because that's where I'm at right now"