Keith Urban is hitting the road — with 12 upcoming artists in tow — in a new competition show.
The Road, which was created by country superstar Blake Shelton and Yellowstone co-creator Taylor Sheridan, is slated to premiere on CBS Sunday, October 19. The series follows 12 contestants and Urban, 57, as he performs “special shows” throughout the U.S., where audiences will have the opportunity to vote on which artists should continue in the competition.
Both Urban and Gretchen Wilson know firsthand how important touring is in the early days of an artist’s career.
“For me, this has been a really amazing experience,” Wilson, 52, exclusively told Us Weekly at the finale taping of The Road. “All the years that I’ve had that have kind of built me into who I am, and all the things that I’ve done on the road, I was able to bring that experience to it.”
‘The Road’ Trailer Reveals Grand Prize of Blake Shelton, Keith Urban’s Show
Wilson said what makes The Road different from other musical competition shows is the closeness and “family part” that was built by having the contestants stay on a tour bus together.
“They had to travel together, they had to be away from their families for weeks at a time. They got to experience what it really means to be out there doing this job,” Wilson told Us. “I think a lot of people … look at us and they think, ‘Man, your job is just the coolest job in the world. You get to go out and play music and it’s a party.’ And it’s really not so much about that.”
Shelton, 49, was previously a judge on The Voice for 23 seasons from the show’s premiere in 2011 until he left in 2023. On The Road, Shelton will take a more behind-the-scenes approach but will make appearances on camera throughout the season. Wilson said it was also important to her that the contestants knew how to look after themselves — especially while on the titular road.
“When you’re out there doing this for a living, you’re the one who doesn’t have a beer at 2 o’clock in the afternoon because you’re resting on the bus and you’re taking care of your instrument, your voice,” Wilson told Us. “[It’s] not just [about] how do you win this competition, but how do you take care of yourself and how do you have the longevity that a lot of it takes that to endure in this business?”
Keith Urban Headlining New Touring Music Competition Show ‘The Road’
Urban told Us that there is a lot of “discipline” required to succeed in the music industry.
“I just played a show in Vegas last night and I had another one tomorrow night, and [taping] this finale fell in between. So I came home after the show last night, got in at 5 a.m., here we are, and then take off tomorrow, go to Vegas,” Urban said. “I think that never changes, as far as the discipline required to do what we do. And it’s been great watching Gretchen handle them as well and give really good advice. [She’s] like, Mama Bear in the best way.”
“They called me the tour momager,” Wilson joked.
The Road premieres on CBS Sunday, October 19, at 9 p.m. ET.
