After a remarkable 12-year run as a coach on NBC’s The Voice, Blake Shelton is back on the small screen—this time with a fresh twist on the singing competition format. Shelton, 49, who left The Voice in May 2023 after 23 seasons, is teaming up with country stars Keith Urban and Gretchen Wilson for The Road, a new CBS series set to premiere Sunday, October 19.

Unlike traditional reality competitions, The Road offers a unique approach to discovering musical talent. The show, produced by Shelton and Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, follows Keith Urban as he travels the country, scouting emerging artists who headline at music venues across America. Instead of judges deciding who advances, it’s the live audiences who determine which artists move on to the next city—putting contestants directly in the hands of real fans.

Urban, a 13-time CMA Award winner, knows firsthand the challenges of breaking into the music industry. “There are some things you just have to learn from experience,” 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.”

Adding to the show’s authenticity, Gretchen Wilson, known for her hit “Redneck Woman,” joins as touring manager. “Opening for Keith is not for the faint of heart,” Wilson quipped in the show’s trailer. She brings her own hard-earned experience, recalling her early days playing in “some seedy pubs, sometimes just for the bartender.” Her role is to guide the artists through the realities of touring life, providing a real-world environment that tests whether these performers have what it takes to make it.

“For me, touring has always been my first love,” Urban added. “It’s where the rubber meets the road. But it’s the only road to take if you want to be a performer.”

With its grassroots, artist-centered approach, The Road aims to bring a fresh dynamic to the crowded field of singing competitions, standing as a worthy new contender alongside heavyweights like American Idol and The Voice. Fans eager to see Shelton, Urban, and Wilson in action can tune in starting this fall on CBS.

 

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