Blake Shelton took to Twitter this afternoon to clarify and apologize for comments he made in a recent interview.

The comments that upset some fans and Country music artists first aired in December during an episode of GAC’s “Backstory.” Shelton said, ”If I am ‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ that must mean that I’m one of those people now that gets to decide if it moves forward and if it moves on. Country music has to evolve in order to survive. Nobody wants to listen to their grandpa’s music. And I don’t care how many of these old farts around Nashville going, ‘My God, that ain’t country!’ Well that’s because you don’t buy records anymore, jacka–. The kids do, and they don’t want to buy the music you were buying.”

Shelton’s comments hit the Internet this week and did not sit well with some fans and members of the music industry, including Country music legend Ray Price. After he caught wind of Shelton’s comments, Price released a statement on his Facebook saying, “It’s a shame that I have spend 63 years in this business trying to introduce music to a larger audience and to make it easier for the younger artists who are coming behind me. Every now and then some young artist will record a rock and roll type song , have a hit first time out with kids only. This is why you see stars come with a few hits only and then just fade away believing they are God’s answer to the world,” wrote the singer, who is known for hits such as “Release Me” and “Heartaches by the Number.” “This guy sounds like in his own mind that his head is so large no hat ever made will fit him. Stupidity Reigns Supreme!!!!!!! Ray Price (CHIEF “OLD FART” & JACKA–”) ” P.S. YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY AS US OLD-TIMERS. CHECK BACK IN 63 YEARS (THE YEAR 2075) AND LET US KNOW HOW YOUR NAME AND YOUR MUSIC WILL BE REMEMBERED.”

Once Blake heard he had angered Price, he immediately took to his Twitter to clarify what he had said in the interview. “Whoa!!! I heard I offended one of my all time favorite artists Ray Price by my statement ‘Nobody wants to listen to their grandpas music’.. And probably some other things from that same interview on GAC Backstory,” Shelton wrote. “I hate that I upset him. The truth is my statement was and STILL Is about how we as the new generation of country artists have to keep re-inventing country music to keep it popular. Just EXACTLY The way Mr. Price did along hid journey as a main stream country artist. Pushing the boundaries with his records. ‘For The Goodtimes’ is a perfect example with the introduction of a bigger orchestrated sound in country music. It was new and awesome!!!”

After explaining his comments, Shelton went on to apologize to those he offended. “I absolutely have no doubt I could have worded it better (as always ha!) and I apologize to Mr. Price and any other heroes of mine that it may offended. I meant every word I said. Country music is my life and it’s future AND past is important to me. I’ll put my love and respect and knowledge about it up against anybody out there… ANYBODY…”