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Blake Shelton's done playing Mr. Nice Guy

Or, at least it's no more Mr. Goody Two-Shoes. The country singer hasn't seemed particularly wary of offending people in the past, but Shelton says some recent life changes have translated into a more defiant attitude of late.

"The truth is I finally got all my (expletive) paid off," says Shelton, calling from the recording studio while he finishes his upcoming album. "Once you get everything paid off, it's like, '(Who cares) if you all don't like it.' I've got something to say. I think what's cool about it is, and has been in the last few months with Twitter, is really not being afraid anymore."

Shelton's an avid user of micro-blogging service Twitter (follow him at @blakeshelton), lightheartedly sparring with both his followers and the official Twitter of animal rights organization PETA.

The singer's always shown a sense of humor, but these days, that humor bears a sharper edge than it has in the past. Shelton says his new attitude is on display in the video for his latest single, "Hillbilly Bone," which features his good buddy Trace Adkins (the song is set to appear on the new CD, due out in late winter).

"Trace Adkins is one of the funniest people I've ever met in my life," Shelton says. "I think once people get over their initial fear of him as a monster, (they'll realize) he's really dry. He has a really kind of grumpy sense of humor that I just worship. He's awesome."

Adkins joined Shelton for the "Hillbilly Bone" shoot at the Stock-Yard restaurant recently, and during the filming, Shelton says he laughed more than he has in "15 years." The video (watch it below) features Shelton and Adkins playing redneck stereotypes at a fancy restaurant. The men are staring at dainty food, tucking napkins in their collars and swigging liquor from containers - Adkins with a moonshine jug and Shelton with a bottle of wine. Adkins' jug was empty. Shelton's wasn't.

"They asked me to drink out of a bottle and really look like a redneck," he says. "I think I went through three bottles of wine on my own. I was pretty drunk there by the end."

Shelton says the song and video are indicative of what fans can expect to hear on his next record: country lifestyle themes, just turned up a couple of notches.

"One thing we're doing that we probably haven't done is showcase the … 'I don't give a (expletive) if you like it or not' attitude," Shelton says. "It's puzzled me why country artists have to be so politically correct. I mean I'm not a politician. If I'm going to sing about drinking and raising hell then you have to know deep down inside that's what I do. I'm just more open about it lately, and it's amazing the reaction to that. People either love me or hate me. But it's the first time they are noticing, which is awesome for me. I'm loving it. I can show you some people on Twitter that hate me. They are probably tree-hugging, card-carrying members of PETA that can kiss my (expletive) anyway."

http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2009/11/03/blake-sheltons-done-with-mr-nice-guy/