Long before country superstar Blake Shelton found love with pop icon Gwen Stefani—or even shared the spotlight with fellow country artist Miranda Lambert—there was another woman at the center of his world: his first wife, Kaynette Williams.
Kaynette (also spelled “Kaynette Gern”) was more than just a familiar face from Blake’s past. She was his high school sweetheart, his confidante, and the woman who stood beside him as he took his first big steps into country stardom.
A Country Love Story Begins
Blake and Kaynette’s story began in Oklahoma, where the two met in their teen years. Though they didn’t start dating right away, a friendship eventually turned into something deeper. By the time Blake turned 21, their bond had blossomed into romance. As his music career began to take off, Kaynette became his road manager—proving she was both a partner in love and in business.
A Proposal Off the Beaten Path
Blake didn’t go the traditional route when it came to proposing. Instead of a fancy dinner or flowers, he popped the question after a morning of hunting with friends—a gesture that perfectly suited their rustic roots. After she said yes, they spent the rest of the day celebrating country-style: partying with pals and heading back out for more hunting. The couple married in a private ceremony on November 17, 2003, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
A Quiet Split and a New Chapter
Just a few years later, in 2006, their marriage ended. Kaynette cited “inappropriate marital conduct” in their divorce—a chapter that marked a tough transition for both. Blake later admitted he wasn’t ready to be a husband at the time. After the split, Kaynette returned to Oklahoma, but later moved to Kansas when Blake and Miranda Lambert moved nearby. “Oklahoma just wasn’t big enough,” she reportedly said.
From Heartbreak to Happiness
Kaynette didn’t stay in the past for long. She began a new life in Kansas, focusing on her passion for education. Today, she’s a successful, award-winning elementary school teacher with both a degree and a master’s in education. And love found its way back to her in the form of Cody Joe Scheck—a world-champion steer roper. The two met through mutual friends and have been inseparable ever since.
Kaynette Williams may no longer be in the spotlight, but her story is a reminder that the heart has many chapters—and sometimes, the most important ones are the quietest.
