Blake Shelton’s 2014 duet “Lonely Tonight” with Ashley Monroe quickly became a country music sensation. The heartfelt ballad resonated with fans, climbing to #1 on the Country Airplay chart and peaking at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also found success in Canada, topping the country charts there.
Their powerful collaboration didn’t go unnoticed, earning them a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. However, since Monroe and Shelton aren’t always able to perform the song together live, he has often invited other artists to join him on stage. Over the years, country stars such as Lauren Alaina and Carly Pearce have stepped in to sing Monroe’s part. More recently, Shelton performed “Lonely Tonight” with Grace West, a finalist from Season 23 of The Voice. This particular performance held deep meaning, as it marked his final time on the show as a coach.
One of Shelton’s closest friends and former Voice coach, Kelly Clarkson, has also shared the stage with him on multiple occasions. The two have performed several songs together, including “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” “Neon Moon,” and Shelton’s own hit, “Austin.”
In 2021, fans at Shelton’s Friends & Heroes Tour stop in Denver, Colorado, were in for a huge surprise. Without any prior announcement, he brought out Clarkson for an unexpected duet of “Lonely Tonight.” The crowd erupted in cheers as she stepped onto the stage, making the moment even more electric.
A fan-recorded video captured the unforgettable performance, and Shelton’s excitement was undeniable. As they finished singing, he turned to the audience and shouted, “Kelly freakin’ Clarkson, Denver!” perfectly summing up the thrill of the moment.
Although the performance took place in 2021, the duet has recently resurfaced online, proving just how memorable and timeless their collaboration was.