Blake Shelton 'Stopped Everything' After Years on the 'Hamster Wheel.' Now He's Making 'Big, Big Changes' (Exclusive)

WhenBlake Sheltonannounced he wasstepping away fromThe Voicetwo years ago, fans weren’t totally convinced he had no game plan in mind. But while he hasn’t entirely been sitting idle — Shelton teamed up with close friendCarson Dalyontheir game showBarmageddon— the country superstar, 48, embraced a slower pace at home with wifeGwen Stefaniandhis three stepsonsas he figured out his future. “The last couple of years, especially since I’ve retired fromThe Voice, I’ve just kind of been trying to be very mindful of the next thing that I do, be thoughtful about it and be sure that I’m not just doing things because I’m on the hamster wheel anymore,” Shelton tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Blake Shelton and Taylor Sheridan Team Up for New Singing Competition SeriesThe Road

Blake Shelton in January 2024; Taylor Sheridan in December 2021.Photo:Jason Davis/Getty; Ethan Miller/Getty Jason Davis/Getty; Ethan Miller/Getty On Monday, Nov. 11, it was announced thatThe Road, a new singing competition series has been ordered to series for fall 2025. From executive producers Blake Shelton, Taylor Sheridan, Lee Metzger and David Glasser, the CBS docuseries will follow “a headlining superstar (to be announced) on their journey to discover the next big artist,” according to a press release.

Blake Shelton Says Gwen Stefani's Sons Have Taught Him a 'Different Kind of Self-Worth'

“They’ve taught me something about myself that I never knew: I’m more than just a country singer or a goofy guy. I’m someone they actually lean on, and that’s not a responsibility that I ever had and not something that I ever considered even being into,” Shelton tells PEOPLE exclusively of helping raise Kingston, 16, Zuma, 14, and Apollo, 8, in its latest cover story. “It’s a different kind of self-worth.

Blind Triplet Contemplated Suicide Before Blind Man Adopted Them. Now Boys Are Pursuing Their Dreams (Exclusive)

From Left to Right Steven, Leo, Ollie and Nick Cantos.Photo:courtesy Ollie Canos courtesy Ollie Canos This post is a collaboration between PEOPLE andStoryCorps, the largest collection of human voices ever archived. When Ollie Cantos looks back on the 14 years since he firstmet triplets Nick, Leo and Steven, he has tears in his eyes and endless gratitude in his heart. “I can’t believe how far we have all come,” Ollie, now 53, tells PEOPLE.

Blink-182 Cancel Two Upcoming U.S. Concerts 'Due to Illness': 'We Are So Sorry'

Travis Barker and Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 perform during 2024 Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago on August 4, 2024.Photo:Erika Goldring/WireImage Erika Goldring/WireImage Blink-182won’t be moving forward with a couple upcoming concerts. On Thursday, Aug. 8, the band featuringMark Hoppus,Tom DeLongeandTravis Barkerannouncedon social media, “Unfortunately, due to illness, we are unable to make it to Kansas City and St. Louis,” referring to their scheduled Aug. 9 and 10 shows in the respective cities.