Less than two years after leaving “The Voice,” where he coached hopeful singers for 23 seasons, country superstar Blake Shelton is back but this time, he’s hitting the road in a whole new way.
Shelton has teamed up with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan for a brand-new CBS competition series called “The Road,” which premieres Sunday, October 19 with a special 90-minute episode. The show stars Keith Urban as the headlining superstar and introduces 12 rising musicians competing for a life-changing grand prize.
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“The last person standing at the end of the tour is going to get a slot at Stagecoach, you’re going to get a record deal, and you’re going to get a quarter of a million dollars,” Urban tells the hopeful contestants in an exclusive preview.
The first episode kicks off at Tannehill’s Music Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, where each artist must perform an original song that best represents them. Urban and Shelton watch closely to see how each contestant connects with the live crowd.
“It looks good out there and the band is sounding cool, so the rest is up to you. Good luck,” Shelton tells them.
“Blake and I are going to watch how you guys are connecting with the audience — when you’ve got them and when you lose them,” Urban adds.
The audience gets to vote for their favorite performances, and the three lowest-scoring contestants will face elimination, with Urban and Shelton making the final call.
“I love that the audience is going to be voting,” Urban says. “It’s really how it should be. It’s the people in the room you’ve got to get — this is the real deal.”
The remaining 11 singers will earn a coveted seat on the tour bus and continue competing across the country. Grammy® Award winner Gretchen Wilson joins the series as tour manager, mentoring contestants and giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at life on the road — before and after the spotlight hits.
One contestant, Britnee Kellogg, 40, of Anthem, Arizona, admits the stakes couldn’t be higher: “The prize is unreal. $250,000 can change my life. Winning is why I came here.”
“No More Shiny Floors and Studio Audiences” — Blake Shelton and Taylor Sheridan Redefine Music Competitions
When CBS first announced The Road in November 2024, fans were stunned. In the official release, Sheridan promised something different from typical TV singing shows.
“No more shiny floors and studio audiences,” Sheridan said. “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.”
Shelton echoed that sentiment, saying he was ready to take his experience from The Voice to a grittier, more authentic stage.
“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.”
Together, Shelton and Sheridan — along with executive producers David Glasser and Lee Metzger — bring to life a docu-follow format that captures every aspect of the touring experience, from cramped buses to roaring crowds.
How Does “The Road” Competition Work?
The Road offers fans an inside look at the grind of the music world — where some of the best up-and-coming performers pile into a bus, travel city to city, and perform in front of live audiences for their shot at stardom.
Alongside Urban, executive producers Shelton, Sheridan, Wilson, and guest country stars (to be announced) will help decide who advances to the next city. The audience votes, but ultimately, the stars will determine who stays on tour — and who heads home.
The Grand Prize
The winner of The Road will receive:
- $250,000 in cash
- A recording contract
- A performance slot on the Mane Stage at the 2026 Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, California
An exclusive Red Bull prize package, including a live performance at Red Bull Jukebox
Additionally, the two runners-up will each receive five professional recording sessions at Red Bull Studio Los Angeles, a world-class space equipped to help artists craft their sound.
When to Watch
The Road premieres Sunday, October 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, and streams the next day on Paramount+.
As Blake Shelton says, this is “the real deal — where the music, the miles, and the heart decide who makes it.”
