The Road is coming to CBS this fall. The new singing competition comes from creators Blake Shelton and Taylor Sheridan. Keith Urban‘s involvement was confirmed on Tuesday, February 25.
This is Shelton’s first TV singing competition since leaving The Voice in May 2023, but his role is in more of a behind-the-scenes aspect. While he will appear on-camera, Urban is the main musician on the show, along with the 12 contestants.
Scroll down for everything we know about this soon-to-be televised search for the next big name in music that comes with a unique format.
What is The Road about?
From executive producers Shelton, Sheridan, Lee Metzger, and David Glasser, the docu-follow format trails a headlining superstar (Urban) on their journey to discover the next big artist. Earlier this year, Urban headlined special performances at music venues across America with emerging talents serving as his opening act. Audience members at the special performances had the opportunity to decide which musicians will continue on to the next city.
“I spent a lot of my underage life playing in some seedy pubs, sometimes just for the bartender. So I love the idea of throwing artists into a real-world environment to find out if they are artists,” Urban said. “Paying your dues sucks, but there are things in this business that can’t be taught, like how to put together a set list, whether to extend or cut a song during your performance or how to work the crowd. For me, touring has always been my first love. It’s where the rubber meets the road. But it’s the only road to take if you want to be a performer.”
The Road is produced by MTV Entertainment Studios, Glasser’s 101 Studios with Shelton and Metzger’s Lucky Horseshoe Productions. Sheridan and Glasser serve as executive producers. Shelton and Metzger serve as executive producers for Lucky Horseshoe Productions.
When does The Road premiere?
The singing competition series is set to premiere during the fall 2025 season. An exact release date will be announced at a later time, but CBS confirmed that it will air Sundays from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Who are The Road contestants?
While Urban is the headliner of the show, the competition is really about the 12 artists who are hoping to be discovered and earn the grand prize, which is $250,000, a record deal, and a slot on the main stage at Stagecoach 2026. CBS announced the contestants on June 25.
CBS
The contestants are: Adam Sanders (36, Lake City, Florida), Billie Jo Jones (34, Emory, Texas), Blaine Bailey (23, Tahlequah, Oklahoma), Briana Adams (30, Winchester, Texas), Britnee Kellogg (40, Anthem, Arizona), Cassidy Daniels (25, Marion, North Carolina), Channing Wilson (49, Lafayette, Georgia), Cody Hibbard (32, Adair, Oklahoma), Forrest McCurren (35, Jefferson County, Missouri), Jenny Tolman (29, Nashville, Tennessee), Jon Wood (28, Wake Forest, North Carolina), and Olivia Harms (29, Canby, Oregon).
Is there a trailer for The Road?
CBS released the first trailer on May 15. “Touring’s hard to get right,” Shelton says in the clip, as crowds go wild at the special performance concerts. “But when you do, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.”
“This show is all about being on the road,” Urban adds. “I don’t think it’s a job. I think it’s a calling.”
The footage also features Gretchen Wilson, who will serve as the tour manager on the show. “Opening for Keith is not for the faint of heart,” she admits.
Where were The Road’s special performances?
While The Road won’t air until the fall, the special performances already took place! Fans were able to check out Urban and the emerging stars in concert on seven different dates in Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The tickets were free and available on a first come, first serve basis.
The special performances kicked off on Sunday, March 2, at Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall in Fort Worth Texas, followed by a Wednesday, March 5, performance at The Factory in Deep Ellum in Dallas, Texas. Two dates in Shelton’s home state were up next, with a Sunday, March 9, performance at Oklahoma Ranch in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and a Wednesday, March 12, event at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The concerts concluded on Monday, March 24, at Minglewood Hall in Memphis, Tennessee, Friday, March 28, at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tennessee, and Wednesday, April 2, at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Will The Road only feature country artists?
Although the show is helmed by two of the biggest names in country music, Urban and Shelton, and Sheridan, the creator of TV’s biggest modern Western and its spinoffs, the contestants are not confirmed to all be country artists.
“The Road offers viewers a backstage pass into the gritty and unforgiving life of a touring artist,” CBS describes. “With exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes workings of the music industry, viewers will see what happens when some of the best up-and-coming performers pile into a tour bus and tackle a grueling schedule in pursuit of their dreams.”
“There is a revolution taking place in country music. Building a platform with Blake for the next leaders of that revolution is an incredibly exciting venture,” Sheridan said in a statement. “No more shiny floors and studio audiences. This is where the rubber meets the road — literally. Get in the van, go to the next town, and win the crowd. Do it enough, and you become the next leader. Simple as that.”
“I’m a big fan of Taylor’s incredible work, and I’m excited to team with him and my long-time collaborator, Lee, on The Road,” Shelton said. “I know a thing or two about singing competitions and what it’s like to chase a music dream and live life on tour. I’m looking forward to discovering new talent and giving them this platform.”
“This project has been a true labor of love that Taylor, Blake, Lee, and I have been talking about for some time now,” said Glasser. “I can’t thank CBS enough for supporting us on this journey to bring an incredible project to audiences everywhere.”
“Blake and I have been working together a long time and now joining forces with Taylor and David is literally the kind of team you dream about to bring something of this scale to country music fans,” said Metzger.
The Road, Series Premiere, Fall 2025, Sundays, CBS
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.tvinsider.com ’
