Dustin Lynch’s close bond with country singer Blake Shelton extends far beyond any stage.
“Blake and I really hit it off last year on tour,” Lynch, 39, exclusively told Us Weekly at NBC’s Opry 100: A Live Celebration on Wednesday, March 19. “We’ve become hunting buddies. He’s had me out to his space in Oklahoma to hunt a little bit, which has been a lot of fun.”
Last summer, Shelton, 48, hit the road for the Back to the Honky Tonk tour. He invited Lynch to be his opening act alongside special guests.
While traveling across the country proved to be a bonding moment for the pair, Lynch also looks forward to participating in the Opry hunt every year with his fellow cowboy.
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“It’s a 60-year-old tradition,” he explained to Us. “A group of guys get together once a year and we’ve kept that tradition alive. It’s all about fellowship. Getting to sit around the fire and pass the guitar and talk about our years, what’s coming up, and to have comradery like that and a brotherhood like that is pretty cool.”
Lynch’s sense of brotherhood extends isn’t just limited to his friendship with Shelton.
While celebrating the Grand Ole Opry’s milestone 100th anniversary, the “Chevrolet” singer looked back on watching his friends go from bachelors to married men.
“I have a lot of buddies in the genre that have started out as single guys and now have a bunch of kids,” he said. “I’ve missed that boat so far, but maybe we’ll work on it one day. But it’s amazing. I think country music is all about where we come from and what life is and I’m here at the Opry tonight because my family loves country music.”
While Lynch admitted his current celebrity crush is Tyla, he’ll never forget being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2018 by Reba McEntire.
“She was my first celebrity crush way back in the day,” Lynch joked. “I think professionally, Reba is one of my favorite artists ever to do it in the entertainment industry. She’s really kind of conquered everything you can.”
While Lynch pictures a day when he’s settled down with a forever partner, he’s grateful to have a jam-packed schedule and solid friends who make life rewarding.
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“I’ve been enjoying just chasing the dream and the freedom,” he said. “I’m always on the go doing something, but there’s gonna be a season for some settling down I’m sure.”
Opry 100: A Live Celebration is available to stream anytime on Peacock.
With reporting by Aria Parker
