RaeLynn: 'Blake Shelton has taught me to be persistent'

Country singer Raelynn wants to enjoy an enduring career like her mentor Blake Shelton.

The 22-year-old rose to fame after competing on Team Blake during season two of U.S. TV talent show The Voice in 2012 and now shares a stage with her mentor as the opening act on his nationwide tour, as well as recording songs with the country star.

While he's now a close friend, RaeLynn shared that Blake's involvement in her career has taught her to be persistent and patient.

The Texas native, real name Racheal Lynn Woodward, started her career in the music business at 17, and shared some of the things she's learned from the veteran singer during an interview with People.com.

"It took him 10 years to accomplish where he’s at now. When I look at Blake’s career, I see a career that’s going to last a while - he’s not just a one hit wonder - and that’s what I want to be," she smiled to People. "I want to be an artist that has a career for a long time, but that takes building blocks. I’ve learned persistence from him - working at it every day and getting to know people."

The Love Triangle singer, who married husband Josh Davis in February (16) was full of praise for Blake, who is in a relationship with Gwen Stefani, and shared that another thing she picked up from The Voice mentor is how important it is to “always be myself.”

“At first, I tried to hold back from being me, but people are going to embrace who you’re going to be, so I’ve really stuck to that," she added.

Now that touring with Blake has come to end, RaeLynn is prepping for the release of her debut album WildHorse in December (16). It's been four years in the making and the singer cannot wait for her fans to finally experience it.

"It’s taken me four years to create this work of art that I feel like is going to be so relatable to all my fans. It takes a village to get you there and to get you through, and Blake has been one of those people since the very beginning," she gushed.