Blake Shelton serves as a coach on "The Voice," NBC's hit reality vocal competition series that searches for the nation's best voice.

The world has finally learned what country fans have known since the beginning - Blake Shelton is superstar material.

Shelton is the breakout star of NBC's "The Voice," a show that gave the handsome Oklahoman the spotlight his fans have long hoped he'd get. Week after week, millions have gotten to see the talent and charisma that have made him one of country music's brightest lights.

Ever since the power and drama of his 2001 debut single "Austin" brought him to national attention, he has proven himself to be one of the genre's most versatile and accomplished vocalists as well as one of its most compelling entertainers.

His versatility is evident in the wide range of singles he has made his own. He has proven his ability with the stark drama of "The Baby" and "Home," the honest regret of "She Wouldn't Be Gone," the warm intimacy of "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking," the celebration of the moment in "All About Tonight" and the over-the-top fun of "Hillbilly Bone." His skill as an entertainer is apparent every time he takes the stage and carries fans on one of music's most enjoyable journeys.

The first and second singles from his latest CD, "Honey Bee" and "God Gave Me You," found the lanky superstar-next-door rising to a now-familiar spot - the No. 1 position on the country singles charts, which is his fifth-consecutive No. 1 in less than 19 months. "Honey Bee" and "God Gave Me You" only hinted at the riches inside "Red River Blue."

Blake has also had a breakthrough year on the personal front. Though he is perhaps rather rough-hewn when it comes to polite society (it did not take a lot of work to fit his personality to the plot of the "Hillbilly Bone" video), he has capped his relationship with fellow chart-topper Miranda with a conversation with her father - a moment they revisit with a great deal of hilarity on All About Tonight's only duet, "Draggin' the River" - and a formal proposal and ring. It was old-fashioned redneck chivalry at its finest.

And while he is blazing trails with his music, Blake is reinventing the way country's rowdier acts are connecting with fans via social networking. His tweets are irreverent, edgy, timely and hilarious, and they have become the talk of fans and industry alike. And his YouTube videos? Well, with titles like "Top Six Country Haircuts," you know you're dealing with a mind that has been twisted just right, and you'd be hard-pressed not to find them hilarious.

Things have never looked better for the young man who left Ada, Oklahoma at 17 for Nashville after encouragement from Mae Axton ("Heartbreak Hotel"). He met another legendary writer, Bobby Braddock ("He Stopped Loving Her Today"), who helped him develop his formidable talents. The going was slow initially, but Blake finally signed with Warner Bros., and in the wake of an impressive debut, he was on his way.

Now, with his first ACM, CMA and CMT Award wins this year, the release of his greatest hits album and his induction into the Grand Ole Opry, the career that kicked off with the six-week No. 1 smash "Austin" and has included two additional multi-week chart toppers with "The Baby" and "Some Beach," Shelton is on his best roll yet.

If it sounds like more than even a dreamer such as Shelton could have envisioned, you'll get no argument from the man himself: "If you'd have told me a few years back that my life would be this good," he said, "I'd have told you that you were crazy. But I'll damn sure take it."