The anticipation for CBS’s The Road is hitting fever pitch, and for good reason. Set to premiere this fall, this groundbreaking music competition series is poised to redefine how we discover the next big country music star. With a raw, unfiltered look at the gritty life of a touring artist, The Road promises to be more than just a singing contest—it’s a high-stakes journey through America’s heartland, where dreams are tested under the spotlight. Already boasting heavyweights like Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and Gretchen Wilson, the show has just upped the ante by adding five more country music icons to its roster. From chart-topping hitmakers to genre-defining legends, these new additions are set to mentor, inspire, and shake up the competition. Buckle up, because The Road is about to take fans on a wild ride, premiering Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET/PT on CBS.

The Road isn’t your typical shiny-floored talent show. Forget polished studios and predictable auditions—this series throws 12 emerging musicians into the deep end, piling them into a tour bus to open for Grammy-winning superstar Keith Urban at venues across Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Produced by Blake Shelton’s Lucky Horseshoe Productions, Taylor Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch Productions, and David Glasser’s 101 Studios, the show captures the unfiltered reality of life on tour: the late nights, the rowdy crowds, and the relentless grind. These up-and-comers—singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists—must win over local audiences to secure their spot in the next city, with only one walking away with a life-changing grand prize: a performance slot at Stagecoach 2026, a $250,000 cash prize, and a recording deal. With Gretchen Wilson as the no-nonsense “tour manager” and Shelton and Urban guiding the way, The Road is a pressure cooker of talent, heart, and hustle.

The addition of five new country stars as special guest advisors has sent fans into a frenzy. Joining the lineup are Jordan Davis, Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, and the dynamic duo of Brothers Osborne. Each brings a unique perspective, from chart-topping hits to raw storytelling, ensuring the contestants get a masterclass in what it takes to make it in country music. Jordan Davis, whose smooth baritone and hits like “Buy Dirt” have made him a fan favorite, knows the grind of rising through Nashville’s ranks. Karen Fairchild, with her soulful voice and Little Big Town’s genre-blending legacy, offers wisdom on harmony and stage presence. Dustin Lynch, a heartthrob with a string of party anthems like “Small Town Boy,” brings a knack for connecting with crowds. And Brothers Osborne, the Grammy-winning siblings known for their gritty sound and unapologetic authenticity, are sure to push contestants to dig deep. Together, this powerhouse quintet joins Urban, Shelton, and Wilson to mentor the 12 hopefuls, offering insights that could make or break their dreams.

The contestants themselves are a talented bunch, each with a story as compelling as their music. Announced in June 2025, the lineup includes Adam Sanders, a Georgia native with a knack for heartfelt songwriting; Billie Jo Jones, whose powerhouse vocals echo the women of ‘90s country; and Channing Wilson, a storyteller with a rugged edge. Others, like Cody Hibbard, Forrest McCurren, and Jenny Tolman, bring their own flavors, from small-town grit to witty lyricism. Briana Adams, Blaine Bailey, Britnee Kellogg, Cassidy Daniels, Jon Wood, and Olivia Harms round out the 12, each vying for their shot at stardom. These artists aren’t just singing for judges—they’re performing for live audiences at iconic venues like Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and Fort Worth’s Tannahill’s Tavern, where the crowd’s reaction decides who moves on. It’s a format that strips away the polish, forcing contestants to prove they can handle the real-world chaos of a tour.

The premiere on October 19 kicks off with a bang, aptly titled “The Premiere,” where the 12 hopefuls take the stage as opening acts for Keith Urban at Tannahill’s Music Hall in Fort Worth. The episode promises a raw look at their first performances, capturing the nerves, the triumphs, and the stakes of performing alongside a legend. Urban, a four-time Grammy winner with hits like “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” is the perfect headliner—his own journey from Australian pubs to global stages mirrors the grit The Road demands. “I spent years playing in seedy bars, sometimes just for the bartender,” Urban said in a recent interview. “This show puts these artists in that real-world environment to see if they’ve got what it takes.” With Gretchen Wilson, a Grammy winner herself for “Redneck Woman,” keeping the tour on track as “tour manager,” the show blends mentorship with tough love, ensuring no one coasts to the finish line.

The addition of Jordan Davis, Karen Fairchild, Dustin Lynch, and Brothers Osborne adds layers of expertise to an already stacked lineup. Davis, who broke out with his 2018 album Home State, knows the power of a well-crafted song. “It’s not just about singing—it’s about telling a story that sticks,” he said in a CBS teaser, hinting at his role in pushing contestants to connect emotionally with audiences. Fairchild, whose work with Little Big Town has earned multiple CMA and Grammy awards, brings a collaborative spirit. “Harmony isn’t just vocal—it’s about finding your place in the chaos,” she noted, a nod to the teamwork needed on a grueling tour. Lynch, with his knack for high-energy performances, will likely drill into stagecraft, while Brothers Osborne, known for albums like Pawn Shop, promise to challenge contestants to stay true to themselves. “You can’t fake real,” TJ Osborne said in a promo. “These kids better bring it.”

For Blake Shelton, The Road is a passion project. After 23 seasons on The Voice, where he coached talents like Sundance Head to victory, Shelton stepped away in 2023, citing burnout. But his love for mentoring hasn’t faded. “This show is different—it’s not about a soundstage, it’s about the real deal,” he said in a recent radio interview. “You gotta win the crowd, night after night.” Shelton’s partnership with Taylor Sheridan, the mastermind behind Yellowstone, brings a cinematic grit to the series, with Sheridan’s knack for storytelling shining through in the docu-follow format. “No shiny floors, no studio audience,” Sheridan said. “This is where the rubber meets the road—literally.” The result is a show that feels like a cross between a rockumentary and a survival test, capturing every high and low of the contestants’ journey.

Fans are already buzzing on X, with posts like “Jordan Davis and Brothers Osborne on The Road? This is gonna be epic!” and “Keith Urban headlining with Gretchen as tour manager? Take my money!” Clips of the contestants’ early performances, shared during special concerts filmed earlier this year, have racked up millions of views, with Cody Hibbard’s soulful twang and Jenny Tolman’s clever lyrics sparking early fan favorites. The show’s unique format—where local crowds, not judges, decide who advances—has fans hyped for its authenticity. “Finally, a music show that feels real,” one X user wrote. “No sob stories, just talent and hustle.”

The premiere date, October 19, marks the start of a weekly journey airing Sundays at 9:00 PM ET/PT, with a slight tweak on October 26 and November 2 (9:30 PM due to NFL doubleheaders) before settling into its regular slot on November 9. Fans can catch it live on CBS or stream next-day on Paramount+. The tour stops, from Oklahoma City’s Cain’s Ballroom to Nashville’s Marathon Music Works, promise diverse crowds and venues that test the contestants’ versatility. The grand prize—a Stagecoach performance, $250,000, and a recording deal—raises the stakes, but it’s the mentorship from country giants that could shape these artists’ careers.

The Road is more than a competition—it’s a love letter to country music’s roots, its fans, and the dreamers who chase the stage. With Blake Shelton’s heart, Keith Urban’s star power, Gretchen Wilson’s grit, and the fresh firepower of Jordan Davis, Karen Fairchild, Dustin Lynch, and Brothers Osborne, the show is a masterclass in what it takes to make it. As the countdown to October 19 begins, one thing’s clear: The Road isn’t just a show—it’s a journey, and the world is ready to ride along.