Blake Sheltonplayed his new song "Stay Country or Die Tryin'" off his recently released "For Recreational Use Only" album at the May 26American Music Awards. The 48-year-old country star wore a red, white and blue lapel pin over his navy blue striped shirt in his first-ever performance for the awards show, broadcasting live from Las Vegas. An ideal choice for Memorial Day, Shelton sings: "From the red, white and blue flying high at the farm / To the Boone and Crockett stud on the wall in the barn." He's going to stay country or "die tryin.'" Behind his band, the screens depicted a larger-than-life American flag tacked to a fence. At the end of his toe-tapping song, he pointed to his patriotic pin and nodded. American Music Awards winners list:Gacie Abrams, Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Billie Eilish take home trophies Shelton did not walk the purple carpet ahead of the broadcast at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, and neither did his wife,Gwen Stefani, who was also in attendance. 'The only way I feel I have a purpose':Gwen Stefani drops first new album in eight years Shelton introduced her ahead of her performance of "Swallow My Tears," "The Sweet Escape" and "Hollaback Girl." A spiral of bananas played across the auditorium displays as she spelled out the fruit. The audience standing in the pit could be seen holding up hand-hearts and clapping over their heads. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gwen Stefani (@gwenstefani) Shelton has a show,"The Road,"debuting on CBS in the fall. He is one of the co-creators of the competition show on the quest to find the next big country star. His album "For Recreational Use Only" was released May 9, which features 12 tracks, including a duet with Stefani and country singers Craig Morgan and John Anderson. More:Taylor Swift fans failed to manifest 'Reputation' news at American Music Awards Shelton spoke to The Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, about the inspiration behind his latest work: "I'm experienced (enough now to) have ideas about my career, plus, in the back of my mind, I always have thoughts." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean:Blake Shelton makes debut AMAs performance, shows patriotic side
