George Strait [ tickets ] just turned up the heat on his spring/summer outing, adding one of "People" magazine's Sexiest Men Alive, Blake Shelton [ tickets ], as a support act.

Shelton will join previously announced opener and two-time "Dancing With The Stars" champion Julianne Hough in warming up audiences at most of Strait's shows, which are scheduled to kick off May 9 in Hidalgo, TX.

Strait's schedule currently comprises 17 cities from the East Coast to the Rocky Mountains and into Canada through late July. Stops include big summer festivals in Milwaukee; Cadott, WI; Cheyenne, WY; Calgary, Alberta; and Craven, Saskatchewan. Details are listed below.

The country superstar continues to support last April's "Troubadour," which debuted atop The Billboard 200 and recently scored Grammy nominations for Best Country Album and Best Male Country Performance. The set has spawned hits including "I Saw God Today," which marked Strait's highest-debuting single ever and his 79th Top 10 track on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.

In a career that spans more than 25 years, Strait holds the record for the most No. 1 hits on the Hot Country Songs chart, and he currently has 56 chart toppers to his credit, according to a press release. The performer has sold more than 67 million records, garnering 32 platinum or multi-platinum certifications.

In April, Strait will be honored with the Academy of Country Music's Artist of the Decade award in recognition of his record-breaking career.

Shelton is supporting his fifth studio album, "Startin' Fires," which surfaced in November and reached the Top 40 on the US album chart. His latest single, "She Wouldn't Be Gone," is currently holding a Top 10 spot on the country charts.

Hough topped the country albums chart and bowed at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 with her self-titled debut, which was fueled by the country/crossover hit "That Song In My Head." The singer followed that May release with a holiday collection sold at Target stores.