Blake Shelton couldn’t resist the Oklahoma-born Swon Brothers when they tried out for The Voice in 2013. Twelve years later, their bond is stronger than ever. Zach and Colton Swon sometimes play Shelton’s Ole Red bar and restaurants – a chain that’s grown to five locations. However, Shelton also has the men on speed dial while working on a new album.
The Swon Brothers wrote the title track, Body Language, for Shelton’s last album, and they have song nine, “All of My Love,” on Shelton’s new album. His 12-song For Recreational Use Only will be available May 9. It’s also the only co-writing credit Shelton has on the album.
“They are such, first of all, I started to call ’em great kids,’” Shelton said. “I think Zach just turned 40. But, they’re kids to me.”
Shelton will never forget the first time he met the brothers. They grew up a couple of counties over from him in Oklahoma, and he felt like he’d known the Swons his entire life.
Blake Shelton: The Swon Brothers are “Just Good Dudes and Super Talented”
“I think probably everybody feels that way about those guys when they meet ’em, no matter where you’re from,” Shelton said. “They’re just good dudes and super talented. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the Swon play live, but they’re just so talented they can play anything. Put any instrument in front of either one of ’em, and they can play it.”
So, when the Swon Brothers sent him “All of My Love,” Shelton paid attention. He loved the song, spent a little bit of time working on the bridge, and forgot about it. Then they texted him and asked if they could post a clip of them singing “All of My Love” on Instagram.
“I went, ‘Oh my God, I forgot about that song,’” Shelton said. “It’s been a while. And I said, ‘No, don’t post that. I’m going to cut that.’”
A few weeks later, Shelton was in the recording studio with his longtime producer, Scott Hendricks, and shared the lyrics with him.
“I said, ‘Hey, we’re going to cut this today,’” Shelton said. “We worked it up, and I think it fits well with the record. It’s really the only kind of straight-up love song that we have on the album.”
The Swons love Shelton more than he likes their love song.
“Blake Shelton turned his chair for us over a decade ago, and he has been in our corner ever since,” Zach Swon said. “We have developed a great friendship, and he is a huge part of our career. Proud to be a small part of this record. Let’s hear it for the Okies!”
Colton Swon added: “Blake Shelton has one of the most recognizable iconic voices across all genres, especially in country music. To have a small part in any aspect of his creative process is without a doubt a huge honor, but it’s an even greater joy to call him a friend.”
Blake Shelton Promises John Anderson He Didn’t Forget About Him
The Swon Brothers aren’t the only artists Shelton adores who are a part of For Recreational Use Only. Craig Morgan is a featured artist on “Heaven Sweet Home.” John Anderson is on the last track, “Years.” “Years” was released initially by Anderson. Lady A’s Charles Kelley co-wrote “Hangin’ On,” and Shelton recorded it with his wife, Gwen Stefani.
“It’s a tough song to perform,” Shelton said. “It’s a big vocal. I don’t think Gwen and I have ever done anything that’s super laid back. Everything we do really pushes us as singers. And obviously, Charles is an incredible vocalist. Anything he’s a writer on, he puts that edge to it. It’s a challenge, but I think the song is really well written, and we love the song.”
Shelton has had “Heaven Sweet Home” for years, but it never felt complete to him until he added Morgan. “Years” has also been around for years. Shelton and Anderson planned to collaborate on it in 2020, but the pandemic struck and ruined it.
“I bet he’s thinking right now, ‘Man, I wonder whatever happened to that song that I recorded with Blake?’” Shelton said. “That was years and years ago. He probably thought I forgot about it. It’s coming, John, I promise.”
