Tishomingo, Oklahoma, May 27, 2025 – Country music superstars Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan have long been known for their chart-topping hits and larger-than-life personalities, but it’s their latest act of kindness that has left fans and a small Oklahoma community in tears. The duo recently teamed up to help an 82-year-old musician, Charlie Evans, fulfill a lifelong dream of opening a guitar shop in Tishomingo—a gesture that turned an ordinary ribbon-cutting ceremony into an emotional celebration of music, legacy, and the power of compassion. As Shelton and Bryan stood side by side with Evans, their heartfelt support moved everyone present, proving once again why they’re not just icons in country music, but heroes in their communities.
A Shared Stage and a Shared Passion
Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan’s friendship has been a cornerstone of their careers, often marked by playful banter and mutual respect. The two have collaborated on numerous occasions, from Bryan opening Shelton’s Ole Red Tishomingo venue’s “Dog House” stage in 2019 to their lighthearted “feud” that’s entertained fans for years. Shelton, a 48-year-old Oklahoma native, has charted 41 singles, including 30 number ones, and spent 23 seasons as a coach on The Voice, mentoring countless aspiring artists. Bryan, 48, has been a force in country music since his 2007 debut, selling out arenas with his “bro country” sound and recently announcing a star-studded lineup for his 2025 Farm Tour.
Their paths crossed again earlier this month when both were in Tishomingo for a joint appearance at Ole Red Tishomingo, a restaurant and music venue Shelton opened in 2018. The event was meant to celebrate the release of Shelton’s latest album, For Recreational Use Only, which dropped on May 9, 2025, and features the No. 1 hit “Texas.” Bryan, who had just performed at the venue the night before, joined Shelton on stage for a surprise duet of their 2016 collaboration “Boys ‘Round Here,” delighting the crowd with their easy camaraderie. But it was a chance encounter after the show that set the stage for something far more meaningful.
As Shelton and Bryan were leaving the venue, they noticed an elderly man lingering near the entrance, clutching a weathered guitar case. The man, Charlie Evans, introduced himself as a lifelong musician who had played in honky-tonks across Oklahoma in the 1950s and ‘60s. Now 82, Evans shared that he had spent decades teaching local kids how to play guitar, often for free, but his dream of opening a guitar shop to pass on his love for music had always been out of reach due to financial struggles. “I’ve got the guitars, the know-how, but not the means,” Evans told them, his voice heavy with years of unfulfilled dreams.
Shelton and Bryan, both of whom learned guitar as teenagers—Shelton from his uncle in Ada, Oklahoma, and Bryan while growing up in Leesburg, Georgia—were deeply moved by Evans’ story. Shelton, who recently donated instruments to Ada High School through the nonprofit Music Will, recalled how music had been his lifeline as a kid. Bryan, who has often spoken about the healing power of music in his own life, especially after losing his brother Chris in 1996, felt an instant connection to Evans’ passion. “We looked at each other and knew we had to do something,” Shelton later shared in an interview with a local news outlet. “Charlie’s story—it hit us right in the heart.”
Turning a Dream into Reality
Without hesitation, Shelton and Bryan sprang into action. They pooled their resources to lease a small storefront in downtown Tishomingo, just a block from Ole Red, and covered the costs of renovations to transform it into a guitar shop. Shelton tapped into his experience with Ole Red, ensuring the space had a rustic, welcoming vibe with wooden shelves, vintage posters, and a small stage for impromptu performances. Bryan, known for his hands-on approach to his Farm Tour events, helped source guitars and equipment, even donating some of his own instruments to stock the shop.
The shop, which Evans named Charlie’s Strings, was designed to be more than just a store—it’s a community hub where kids and aspiring musicians can come to learn, play, and share their love for music. Shelton and Bryan also set up a fund to cover the shop’s operating costs for the first year, ensuring Evans could focus on his passion without financial stress. “We wanted to give Charlie a place where he could keep doing what he loves—teaching, playing, and passing on the music,” Bryan said. “It’s not just a shop; it’s his legacy.”
To top it off, the duo reached out to Takamine, a guitar brand Shelton has cherished since buying his first one at 16 in Ada. Inspired by Shelton’s recent use of a rare red, white, and blue Takamine guitar to honor Toby Keith at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024, the company donated a collection of acoustic guitars for the shop, including a special one engraved with Evans’ name. “Charlie’s going to have the best gear for these kids,” Shelton said, beaming with pride. “Takamine stepped up big time.”
A Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to Remember
The grand opening of Charlie’s Strings on May 26, 2025, was a day Tishomingo won’t soon forget. Shelton and Bryan, dressed in their signature casual style—Shelton in a plaid shirt and cowboy hat, Bryan in a baseball cap and jeans—stood beside Evans as he cut the ribbon, his hands trembling with emotion. A crowd of locals, music fans, and aspiring musicians gathered outside the shop, many holding signs that read “Thank You, Blake and Luke!” and “Charlie’s Strings Forever!”
Evans, his voice cracking, addressed the crowd. “I’ve spent my whole life playing music, teaching kids, and dreaming of a place like this,” he said, tears streaming down his weathered face. “I never thought I’d see this day, but these two boys—they made it happen. I don’t have the words to thank them.” As he spoke, Shelton and Bryan each placed a hand on his shoulder, their own eyes glistening with tears.
The celebration continued with an impromptu jam session inside the shop. Evans picked up his old guitar and played a classic country tune, “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash, while Shelton and Bryan joined in on vocals, harmonizing effortlessly. Local kids, some of whom had learned guitar from Evans years ago, took turns playing the new Takamine guitars, their faces lighting up with joy. One 15-year-old girl, Emma, shared that Evans had taught her her first chords when she was 8. “He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” she said, wiping away tears. “Now I get to keep learning here, thanks to Mr. Charlie, Blake, and Luke.”
The emotional peak came when Shelton and Bryan presented Evans with a plaque declaring him the “Heart of Tishomingo Music.” “Charlie, you’ve been giving to this community your whole life,” Bryan said, his voice thick with emotion. “Now it’s our turn to give back to you.” The crowd erupted in applause, many openly sobbing at the display of kindness and gratitude.
A Ripple Effect of Inspiration
News of Shelton and Bryan’s gesture spread quickly, with videos of the grand opening going viral on social media platforms like X, where the hashtag #CharliesStrings trended for days. Fans flooded the comments with praise for the duo’s selflessness. “Blake and Luke didn’t just open a shop—they gave an old man his dream and a community a future,” one user wrote. Another commented, “This is what country music is all about—heart, soul, and helping each other. I’m in tears!”
The story also inspired other artists to take action. Gwen Stefani, Shelton’s wife and a frequent collaborator, announced that she would host a songwriting workshop at Charlie’s Strings later this year, teaching kids how to write their own songs. “I’m so proud of Blake and Luke,” she wrote on Instagram. “This shop is going to be a place where dreams are born.” Meanwhile, Craig Morgan, who will join Shelton on his “Friends and Heroes Tour” in 2025, pledged to donate proceeds from his upcoming Tishomingo show to support the shop’s programs.
For Shelton and Bryan, the experience has been humbling. “Charlie reminded us why we fell in love with music in the first place,” Shelton said. “It’s about connection, about community. I’ll never forget this day.” Bryan echoed the sentiment, adding, “We didn’t do this for the spotlight. We did it because it was the right thing to do. Seeing Charlie’s smile—that’s worth more than any No. 1 hit.”
A Legacy Strung with Love
As Charlie’s Strings begins its journey, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of music to bring people together. For Charlie Evans, the shop is the culmination of a lifetime of passion, a place where he can continue to teach and inspire the next generation. For the children of Tishomingo, it’s a safe haven to explore their talents and dream big. And for Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, it’s a reminder that their influence extends far beyond the stage—that their kindness can leave a legacy that resonates for years to come.
As the sun set over Tishomingo on that emotional day, Evans sat on a stool inside his new shop, strumming a gentle melody while kids gathered around, listening in awe. Shelton and Bryan, watching from the sidelines, shared a quiet nod, their hearts full. In a world often marked by division, their act of kindness brought a community together, leaving everyone in tears—and proving that sometimes, the sweetest notes are the ones played offstage.
