The always irreverent Blake Shelton recently caused a bit of a stir with fans of traditional country thanks to a comment he made in GAC’s Backstory special on his career.

The star of NBC’s The Voice was reflecting on winning his first CMA award, saying that change in country music was inevitable. Then, in his uniquely Blake fashion, tried to be funny about a group of fans who aren’t happy with changes in the music.

“Country music has to evolve in order to survive,” he began. "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, jackass. The kids do, and they don’t want to buy the music you were buying."

OK, so it's not as funny in print. See Blake's comments in video form below.

Some fans were, understandably, not particularly pleased with Blake's poorly worded remarks. Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Price took to his Facebook page to express his disapproval.

It’s a shame that I have [spent] 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. 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” & JACKASS") 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.

Blake apparently got wind of Ray's post, and responded with a series of tweets.

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. I hate that I upset him.

Blake also noted that Ray's No. 1 song "For the Good Times" was a forward-thinking record in its time and apologized for his clumsy wording: "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."

The irony here, of course, is that Blake has long been a champion of traditional country music and incorporated traditional elements into his own songs even as the genre has leaned toward pop. He still swears allegiance to Earl Thomas Conley when most country artists are looking to rockers for inspiration.

And, well, let's face it: part of why we love the guy so much is the fact that he just says what he thinks, even if it doesn't always come out gracefully.