Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton’s Son Zuma Rossdale: Country Music’s Next Rising Star with an Old Soul
In a beautiful blend of pop, rock, and country, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton recently shared their pride in their 15-year-old son, Zuma Rossdale, whose deep love for classic country music is capturing hearts. Whether he’s singing George Strait around the house or strumming his acoustic guitar on the porch, Zuma’s passion echoes the musical roots of his stepdad Blake. “He’s got the soul of an old cowboy,” Blake joked, while Gwen added, “Watching him find his voice is the greatest gift.” Their blended family, spanning musical genres, now watches a new generation carving out its own heartfelt path.
Zuma’s story is unlike any scripted crossover hit. The son of Gwen Stefani, the British alt-rock icon Gavin Rossdale, and Blake Shelton, the country superstar, Zuma is forging a genuine connection to the heart of Oklahoma’s country scene. At just sixteen, he commands the stage with the poise of a seasoned performer, turning heads at Blake’s honky-tonk, Ole Red, where he’s making a name for himself through classic covers and authentic country storytelling.
This isn’t a manufactured show; Zuma’s journey into country music is entirely his own. He dives deep into the genre’s golden era, mastering rapid-fire ’90s country hits like John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident),” and paying homage to Blake with early Shelton classics like “Ol’ Red.” His dedication reflects true passion, not just imitation.
Gavin Rossdale recently admitted to Us Weekly that his son’s talent is already surpassing his own. “Zuma’s begun recording. He’s out of control,” he laughed. Gavin also shared a funny story about Zuma’s brutally honest feedback on one of his songs: “He just gave me this look and was like, ‘You’re not putting that out, are you?’ He destroyed me.”
Blake Shelton, too, is amazed. In an interview with Taste of Country Nights, Blake admitted, “Zuma will spend about 20 minutes, him and his guitar. It’s not me showing him stuff, it’s him showing me stuff.” For a man with 28 No. 1 singles, this is high praise. “It’s almost every single day. I love it. I can’t wait till I get home.”
With each performance, Zuma dives into deeper country cuts, covering modern traditionalists like Zach Top and delivering soulful takes on classics like Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon.” He’s building his foundation on respect for the genre’s roots and a commitment to authentic storytelling.
At the heart of this journey is Gwen Stefani—the pop-glam icon turned proud country mom—watching her son thrive in a world she’s come to embrace through Blake. It’s a remarkable picture: a family united by music, crossing genres, with a teenager whose old soul and guitar are singing a new story on an Oklahoma stage.
Zuma Rossdale’s rise is proof that finding your own path, backed by love and musical legacy, can lead to greatness. Keep an eye on Ole Red—the next chapter in country music’s story may well be just beginning.
