Keith Urban and Blake Shelton are left in awe of contestant Channing Wilson in the series premiere of The Road.
In Us Weekly‘s exclusive clip from the Sunday, October 19, episode of the CBS series, Urban, 57, and Shelton, 49, express their support after watching Wilson, 50, perform an original song.
“Come on, now. Whoa,” Urban says before adding, “That song of his played to every part of his voice.”
Shelton agrees with Urban, noting, “He is literally like a country legend we already know somehow. He had them on the first note.”
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As the sneak peek concludes, Urban isn’t surprised by the crowd’s praise for Wilson’s “amazing” performance. Wilson, for his part, opens up about his decision to compete on The Road.
“My name is Channing Wilson and I am from Lafayette, Georgia. I have been doing this for 25-plus years,” he shares. “In 1999, I saw a show for Billy Joe Shaver, and after that show, I was inspired to quit my job as quick as I could, buy a better guitar and start writing songs.”
Wilson, who wrote Luke Combs‘ song “She Got the Best of Me,” details his excitement about furthering his career.
“I definitely have a secret weapon when it comes to performing solo. I write songs that I can sing. Just me and a guitar,” he continues. “When I started doing this, there was no roadmap for me. I kept grinding into my 30s. I am 49 now and still getting it.”
Wilson concludes: “The music business is definitely not a joke. I have been told no way more than I have had a phone ring in my hand. I am the oldest on the show. This is my last chance. What is at stake? Everything.”
The Road follows 12 emerging musicians who are competing as opening acts for Urban while he tours across America. The contestants advance to the next city based on the reaction from the crowds at their respective shows. By the end of the season, only one act is left standing to take home $250,000 and a record deal.
In addition to Urban and Shelton as executive producers, Gretchen Wilson appears in the role of Tour Manager. Country music stars Jordan Davis, Karen Fairchild, Dustin Lynch and Brothers Osborne are also set to join as special guest advisors throughout the season.
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“Without a shiny floor in sight, the docu-follow format captures the high-stakes unfiltered musical journeys of these triple threats — singers, songwriters and instrumentalists — offering a backstage pass into the gritty and unforgiving life of a touring musician,” the official synopsis for the series reads. “With exclusive access to behind-the-scenes workings of the music industry, viewers will see what happens when some of the best emerging musicians pile into a tour bus and tackle a grueling schedule in pursuit of their dreams.”
Before the show’s premiere, Urban spoke exclusively with Us about the advice he was able to offer each contestant about the “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,” he shared with Us. “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.”
The Road premieres on CBS Sunday, October 19, at 9 p.m. ET before streaming on Paramount+. The show will air at 9:30 p.m. ET on October 26 and November 2.
