Many fans of country music have wondered if there is any family connection between Ricky Van Shelton, the retired singer who had 10 number one hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and Blake Shelton, the current superstar who is also a coach on The Voice. The two singers share a last name and a genre, but are they really related?
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The Short Answer: No
The short answer to this question is no, Ricky Van Shelton and Blake Shelton are not related. According to Geni.com, a genealogy website, “Ricky Van Shelton is of no known relation to fellow country singer Blake Shelton. ‘Van’ is Ricky’s middle name, not part of his last name.”
This is confirmed by Wikipedia, which states that “although ‘Van’ is a common portion of surnames derived from people of Dutch origin, ‘Van’ in this case is Ricky’s middle name. He is of no known relation to fellow country singer Blake Shelton.”
The Long Answer: A Tale of Two Sheltons
Ricky Van Shelton was born on January 12, 1952, in Danville, Virginia, to Jenks and Eloise Shelton. He grew up in Grit, Virginia, and started singing gospel music with his father at a young age. He later discovered country music and performed in his brother’s band and in local clubs. He moved to Nashville in 1984 with his girlfriend and later wife Bettye Witt, and signed a record deal with Columbia Records in 1986. He released his debut album Wild-Eyed Dream in 1987, which spawned his first top 10 hit “Crime of Passion”. He went on to have a successful career with nine studio albums, four of which were certified platinum, and 10 number one singles, including “Somebody Lied”, “I’ll Leave This World Loving You”, “From a Jack to a King”, and “Rockin’ Years” (a duet with Dolly Parton). He also released a Christmas album and two children’s books. He retired from the music industry in 2006.
Blake Shelton was born on June 18, 1976, in Ada, Oklahoma, to Richard and Dorothy Shelton. He grew up in a musical family and learned to play guitar at a young age. He wrote his first song at 15 and moved to Nashville at 17 to pursue a career in country music. He signed a record deal with Giant Records in 1998, but the label closed before releasing his debut album. He then moved to Warner Bros. Records and released his self-titled debut album in 2001, which featured his first number one hit “Austin”. He has since released 12 studio albums, seven of which were certified platinum or higher, and 28 number one singles, including “Some Beach”, “God Gave Me You”, “Honey Bee”, and “God’s Country”. He is also known for his role as a coach on the reality TV show The Voice since 2011, where he has won eight seasons. He has been married three times: to Kaynette Williams from 2003 to 2006, to Miranda Lambert from 2011 to 2015, and to Gwen Stefani since July 2021.
The Conclusion: A Coincidence
As you can see, Ricky Van Shelton and Blake Shelton have very different backgrounds, careers, and personal lives. They share a passion for country music and a common surname, but that’s where the similarities end. They are not related by blood or marriage, and they have never collaborated or performed together. The rumor that they are father and son or brothers is just that: a rumor. They are both talented artists who have made their mark on the country music scene, but they are not family.
