Blake Shelton opens up about his stepsons’ future careers

Blake Shelton is a proud stepfather.

Over the last few years, the country singer has seen his stepsons Kingston and Zuma embrace their musical skills onstage at his bar and restaurant, Ole Red, in Oklahoma—and Shelton is overjoyed to see them chase their dreams.

“When they go up there, you’d think they’d been doing it for ten years. They’re really comfortable and not spooked at all,” Shelton, who released his new album For Recreational Use Only on Friday, May 9, tells PEOPLE exclusively in its most recent edition.

“They have three professional musicians in their lives and have grown up standing on the side of the stage watching this their entire lives, so they have it in their heads how to be when they get out there — but man, I sure wasn’t that calm when I got onstage,” Shelton says of his stepsons Kingston, 18, Zuma, 16, and Apollo, 11, who grew up watching Shelton, mom Gwen Stefani, and dad Gavin Rossdale play in packed venues.

While Kingston only performed once at Ole Red in 2023, his younger brother Zuma has appeared on stage several times.

“That specific location is better suited for Zuma.” He’s really into country music,” Shelton explains. “He’s a fan of older country music and newer country music, which has been pretty crazy for us to see.”

“I’ve never tried to push my music. I believe that throughout his life, whenever he goes in the truck with me, he is unable to avoid hearing whatever station I am listening to,” he says.

Shelton’s 30th No. 1 song, “Texas,” came earlier this month. While he’s been busy promoting his current work, the singer says he’s excited to spend more time with his family in the coming months.

“I’m excited for the children being out of school. Gwen and I have a relatively open summer schedule. We both have a few performances here and there, but nothing is keeping us from going out and having fun,” he says. “We don’t have any specific plans, which is our favorite way to spend time.”