The Story Behind Blake Shelton’s “Lonely Tonight” Duet
Blake Shelton released “Lonely Tonight” in 2014, featuring Ashley Monroe. The heartfelt duet quickly climbed the charts, securing the #1 spot on the Country Airplay chart and making its way to #47 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also became a chart-topping country hit in Canada.
Their incredible collaboration didn’t go unnoticed, earning them a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
However, since Shelton and Monroe can’t always perform together live, he has invited other artists to sing the duet with him over the years. Stars like Lauren Alaina and Carly Pearce have stepped in to fill Monroe’s role on stage. More recently, Shelton performed “Lonely Tonight” with The Voice Season 23 finalist, Grace West. The duet held special significance, as it was Shelton’s final performance on the show as a coach.
Blake Shelton & Kelly Clarkson’s Surprise “Lonely Tonight” Duet in Denver
Speaking of The Voice, one of Shelton’s longtime friends and fellow former coach, Kelly Clarkson, has shared the stage with him multiple times. The two have performed several songs together, including “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” “Neon Moon,” and “Austin.”
In 2021, Shelton surprised his Friends & Heroes Tour audience in Denver, Colorado, by bringing out Clarkson for an unexpected duet of “Lonely Tonight.” The crowd had no idea she was waiting backstage, and when she stepped out to join him, the energy in the arena skyrocketed.
A fan-filmed video captured the incredible moment, and after their performance, Shelton excitedly shouted, “Kelly freakin’ Clarkson, Denver!”—a statement that perfectly summed up the excitement in the room.
Even though the performance happened in 2021, the duet has recently resurfaced online, proving just how unforgettable this collaboration truly was.
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