The summer air in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium was thick with the energy of CMA Fest, country music’s biggest celebration, where fans from across the globe gathered to hear their favorite artists. On the third night of the 2025 festival, Blake Shelton took the stage, his presence commanding as always. The crowd roared as he launched into hits like “Ol’ Red” and “God’s Country,” their voices singing along to every word. But midway through his set, the atmosphere shifted. Shelton paused, his trademark grin softening into something more tender. Cradling a small bundle in his arms, he stepped to the microphone and stunned the audience with a revelation that brought the stadium to a hush: his newborn daughter, wrapped in a soft blanket, was in his arms. “We wanted a name that felt like home, like love,” he said, his voice thick with emotion, before revealing her name—a tribute to family, roots, and a love story years in the making. The crowd, moved to tears, witnessed a moment that would become one of CMA Fest’s most unforgettable.
The night had started with the usual fanfare. Shelton, a country music titan with over two decades of hits, was a headliner at CMA Fest, an event known for its surprises and star-studded performances. Fans expected a high-energy set, perhaps a guest appearance from a fellow artist like Trace Adkins or Post Malone, as Shelton had done in previous years. But no one anticipated the deeply personal moment that unfolded. As he stood under the stadium lights, the 47-year-old singer looked out at the sea of faces, his guitar slung to the side. “Y’all, this is a special night,” he began, his Oklahoma drawl steady but soft. “I’ve been coming to CMA Fest for years, but tonight, I’m sharing something new—someone new.”
With that, he gently adjusted the bundle in his arms, revealing a tiny baby girl, just weeks old, nestled against his chest. The crowd gasped, then fell silent, hanging on his every word. Gwen Stefani, his wife and musical partner, stood in the wings, her eyes shining with pride and tears. The baby, dressed in a miniature denim onesie embroidered with a tiny Oklahoma star, was their daughter, born earlier that spring. Shelton, known for his larger-than-life persona, seemed to shrink into the role of a doting father, his voice cracking as he spoke. “This is our little girl,” he said. “And tonight, we want to share her name with y’all, because it means everything to us.”
The name he revealed was Ada Rose Shelton—a nod to his Oklahoma roots and the love that had blossomed between him and Stefani over the past decade. “Ada” was inspired by his hometown of Ada, Oklahoma, a place that shaped his music and his heart. “Rose” honored Stefani’s family, a delicate tribute to the strength and beauty she brought into his life. “We wanted a name that felt like home, like love,” Shelton told the crowd. “Ada Rose is both—she’s our home, our love, and our future.” The stadium erupted in applause, but it was the kind of cheer laced with emotion, as fans wiped tears from their eyes, moved by the intimacy of the moment.
The significance of Ada Rose’s introduction wasn’t lost on anyone. Shelton and Stefani’s love story, which began in 2015 on the set of “The Voice,” has been one of music’s most cherished narratives. Their romance, born out of shared heartbreak and a mutual love for music, crossed genres and captivated fans. From their first duet, “Go Ahead and Break My Heart,” to their wedding in 2021 at Shelton’s Tishomingo ranch, their journey has been one of partnership and family. Stefani’s three sons—Kingston, Zuma, and Apollo—had already become a central part of Shelton’s life, with the country star embracing his role as a stepfather. But the arrival of Ada Rose marked a new chapter, one that Shelton and Stefani had dreamed of together.
As Shelton held his daughter on stage, he shared a story that brought the moment full circle. He spoke of his childhood in Ada, where he learned to love country music, fishing, and the wide-open spaces of Oklahoma. “This place, these people, this music—it’s who I am,” he said. “And now, Ada Rose gets to carry that with her.” He turned to Stefani, who joined him on stage, her signature blonde hair pulled back and a smile lighting up her face. The couple stood together, their newborn between them, as the crowd cheered. Stefani, a pop icon whose career with No Doubt and as a solo artist has spanned decades, looked every bit the proud mother. “Blake’s given me so much,” she said, her voice catching. “But this—this is our greatest adventure.”
The moment was made even more poignant by the song Shelton chose to sing next: “God Gave Me You,” a track from 2011 that has long been a staple at weddings and a favorite among fans. Written by Dave Barnes, the song’s lyrics about finding love through life’s ups and downs felt like a perfect reflection of Shelton and Stefani’s journey. As he sang, “God gave me you for the ups and downs / God gave me you for the days of doubt,” Stefani swayed beside him, one hand resting on Ada Rose. The crowd sang along, their voices rising in a collective wave, many holding up phone lights that dotted the stadium like stars. It was a moment of pure connection, not just between Shelton and his fans, but between a family sharing their joy with the world.
The emotional weight of the night resonated far beyond Nissan Stadium. Social media lit up with videos and photos of the moment, fans sharing clips of Shelton cradling Ada Rose and Stefani’s tearful smile. Posts on X called it “the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen at CMA Fest” and “a reminder of what country music is all about—family and love.” The hashtag #AdaRoseShelton trended for days, with fans praising the couple for their authenticity and vulnerability. For many, the moment was a testament to the power of music to tell stories that transcend the stage, connecting artists and audiences through shared experiences.
Shelton’s history with CMA Fest made the moment even more meaningful. A regular at the festival since his early days, he’s known for delivering surprises, like his 2024 duet with Post Malone or his 2025 performance with Trace Adkins. But bringing his newborn daughter on stage was a new kind of vulnerability for the singer, who has often kept his personal life private. His decision to share Ada Rose with the world spoke to the trust he has in his fans, who have supported him through every phase of his career. “Y’all have been with me from the beginning,” he told the crowd. “You were there when I was just a kid from Ada singing ‘Austin.’ Now you’re here for this. That means everything.”
For Stefani, the moment was equally significant. Her transition from pop-rock stardom to embracing country music’s community has been a journey of its own. Her 2024 album, Bouquet, was heavily inspired by her life with Shelton, with songs like “Pretty” reflecting the confidence and love she found in their relationship. Seeing Ada Rose on stage, named in part for her family, was a full-circle moment. “I never thought I’d be here, in Nashville, with a baby named Ada,” she later said in an interview. “But this is home now. This is love.”
The introduction of Ada Rose also sparked conversations about family in country music. The genre has always celebrated themes of home, roots, and connection, and Shelton’s moment with his daughter embodied that ethos. Fans saw echoes of other country stars who’ve brought their families into the spotlight, like Tim McGraw and Faith Hill performing with their daughters or Carrie Underwood sharing stories of her sons. For Shelton, a 10-time CMA Award winner, the moment was a reminder of why he’s stayed true to country music: it’s a genre that tells real stories, from small-town dreams to life’s biggest milestones.
As the set ended, Shelton and Stefani took a final bow, Ada Rose still in her father’s arms. The crowd’s cheers followed them off stage, a wave of love that carried into the Nashville night. For those in attendance, it was a moment that defined CMA Fest 2025—not just a concert, but a celebration of family, love, and the roots that ground us. Ada Rose Shelton, with her name that felt like home, had stolen the show, and her parents’ love story, now shared with their daughter, had left an indelible mark on country music history.
