TISHOMINGO, Okla. — Country singer and television personality Blake Shelton hasn’t forgotten his roots, and a gathering Monday on Main Street in a small Oklahoma town near his birthplace provided evidence as to why.

Shelton — who was born and raised in Ada, Oklahoma, and owns property in the small town of Tishomingo, 40 miles to the south — said he was excited to launch Ole Red, a restaurant/bar/music hall named for one of his biggest hits.

The bar and restaurant will be located on Main Street in Tishomingo and is part of a $20 million investment with a local real estate developer.

“For me it is a state of mind,” Shelton told the Ada, Oklahoma News. “When you go in, it will be about our lifestyle. Our lifestyle here in Tishomingo. We are not trying to make this into anything other than just celebrating who we are here as Oklahomans. We are going to do it in a way where you are excited to be there. You are excited to take something away from there, excited to go in having a bite to eat or a drink.

“We definitely want music to be a part of the venue,” Shelton said, adding, “I know a guy who can get in there and sing every once and a while if we can’t find anybody.”

Local lawyer Dustin Rowe said the new restaurant has created a huge amount of excitement in the community.

“A lot of excitement and optimism not only for Tishomingo but also for southern Oklahoma and I think the entire state,” Rowe said. “Certainly when you have someone of Blake’s caliber who is willing to make an investment in our way of life and our community, it speaks volumes about the kind of person he is.”

The launch of Ole Red Tishomingo, set to open later this year, was big news in the town of about 3,000 Monday afternoon. A large crowd gathered on Main Street to get a glimpse of Shelton, one of country music’s biggest celebrities. A school bus filled with kids stopped on Main Street as Shelton stood nearby. Kids gawked out the window and yelled hello to Shelton, who also talked to fans, one by one, signing autographs and posing for pictures with each one. It was clear in watching Shelton he values the people of this region and hasn’t strayed from his Oklahoma roots despite his stardom.

At one point he walked into the future home of Ole Red Tishomingo, now under construction, and shook hands with construction workers laboring away on the heating and air system of the new restaurant-bar.

“We did not know he was coming,” said Keegun Laymance, who was working on the building when Shelton strolled in. “We were wondering what everyone was doing out here and then we caught on. It was really cool.”

Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby and Tishomingo Mayor Tom Lokey said Ole Red Tishomingo will be a huge boost to the local economy and the region.

“It is good for the economy and good for tourism,” Anoatubby said.

Jackie Baker, owner of Baker’s Mercantile, and Kristie Cannon, owner of the Dairy Queen and Latte Da Coffee House in Tishomingo, said they too see Ole Red Tishomingo as an economic boost to the town.

“We are a great small town full of friendly people,” Baker said, adding Shelton treats everyone the same. “You see Blake on TV and you see Blake in my store, and he’s the same Blake.”

Puit writes for The Ada, Oklahoma News.