In a vibrant announcement that has country music fans buzzing with anticipation, Blake Shelton, the beloved country superstar and former The Voice coach, has opened up about his exciting collaboration with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan on their new reality competition series, The Road. Speaking at the CBS Fall 2025 Press Day last week, Shelton shared insights into the groundbreaking show, set to premiere on October 19, 2025, at 9 p.m. EST, and didn’t hold back on his admiration for Sheridan’s creative genius—and, with a playful grin, his impressive physique. “Taylor Sheridan makes a difference in everything we’re doing,” Shelton said, adding with a chuckle, “He’s also incredibly muscle-y, which is sexy.” The lighthearted comment, paired with Shelton’s heartfelt praise for Sheridan’s vision, has set the stage for a show that promises to redefine the singing competition genre, taking it far from polished studios and into the gritty heart of America’s music scene.
The Road, executive produced by Shelton, Sheridan, Keith Urban, Lee Metzger, and David Glasser, is a bold departure from traditional singing competitions like American Idol or The Voice, where Shelton served as a coach for 23 seasons. Instead of contestants performing on glitzy stages with prompted audiences, The Road throws 12 aspiring country musicians into the real-world crucible of touring life. The series follows these hopefuls as they join country icon Keith Urban on a nationwide tour, performing as his opening acts in mid-sized venues across Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. From Fort Worth’s Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall to Tulsa’s iconic Cain’s Ballroom, the contestants must win over local crowds to secure their spot in the next city, facing the raw, unforgiving realities of life on the road. “This is where the rubber meets the road—literally,” Sheridan said in a statement. “Get in the van, go to the next town, and win the crowd. Do it enough, and you become the next leader.”
Shelton, 48, brings a wealth of experience to the project, not only as a chart-topping artist with 29 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Country Airplay chart but also as a seasoned mentor who helped launch careers on The Voice and Nashville Star. His involvement in The Road stems from a desire to innovate the singing competition format, drawing from lessons learned during his two-decade tenure on television. “As much fun as I had being a coach on The Voice, there’s no way you can do a job for that long and not have ideas about it,” Shelton explained at the press event. He envisioned a show where contestants perform original songs and face real audiences, not just studio judges—a vision that aligns perfectly with Sheridan’s knack for authentic storytelling. The result is a docu-series that offers an unfiltered look at the grind of touring, from cramped tour buses to high-stakes performances, all while showcasing the raw talent of emerging artists.
Sheridan, 54, is a creative force whose work on Yellowstone, Landman, Mayor of Kingstown, and Tulsa King has redefined modern television with its focus on the overlooked stories of America’s heartland. His ability to tap into the pulse of “flyover states”—as Shelton affectionately calls them—has made him a perfect partner for The Road. “Taylor isn’t afraid to create content about things that most of Hollywood would shy away from or ignore,” Shelton said, referencing Sheridan’s series about ranchers and oil workers. “He just goes for it.” This fearless approach is evident in The Road’s concept, which captures the essence of country music’s grassroots culture—performers grinding it out in bars and honky-tonks, hoping to connect with everyday fans. “This is what’s happening in the bars in the flyover states every single night, every single weekend,” Shelton added. “Taylor sees the potential in that, and that’s why this show is going to be special.”
The synergy between Shelton and Sheridan is more than professional—it’s personal. The two share a connection rooted in their rural upbringings, with Shelton hailing from Ada, Oklahoma, and Sheridan owning a ranch in northwest Texas, not far from Shelton’s own property. “We’ve had a few meetings now, and we’ve got a lot in common,” Shelton shared in a recent interview with ABC Audio. “We know a lot of the same people, and we run in the same crowd.” Their shared love for authentic, unpolished stories has shaped The Road into a celebration of country music’s ongoing revolution, spotlighting artists who embody the genre’s raw energy and storytelling tradition. Shelton’s playful jab about Sheridan’s “muscle-y” physique—a nod to the writer’s rugged, cowboy-esque persona—only underscores their camaraderie, with Shelton joking, “He’s probably gonna want to kill me before this is over with, but I think we’re going to come up with something good along the way.”
The show’s format is as demanding as it is innovative. The 12 contestants, announced by CBS in June, include talents like Adam Sanders, Jenny Tolman, and Blaine Bailey, many of whom have already made waves in the independent country scene. They’ll face the challenge of performing original songs in front of live audiences, with their fates determined by crowd reactions and input from Urban, Shelton, and tour manager Gretchen Wilson, a country firebrand known for hits like “Redneck Woman.” Wilson, who brings her own experience of rising from small-town bars to stardom, emphasized the intensity of the competition. “Opening for Keith is not for the faint of heart,” she said in the show’s trailer, released on May 15. The special performances, which took place earlier this year in cities like Dallas and Memphis, drew enthusiastic crowds who registered for free tickets, adding to the authenticity of the experience.
For Shelton, The Road is a chance to give back to the genre that made him a household name. His departure from The Voice in 2023 marked a shift toward projects that reflect his evolving priorities, including family life with Stefani and new creative ventures like his Las Vegas residency and the Ole Red franchise. The Road allows him to mentor a new generation while staying true to his roots. “I know a thing or two about singing competitions and what it’s like to chase a music dream and live life on tour,” he said. “I’m looking forward to discovering new talent and giving them this platform.” The show’s production team, including MTV Entertainment Studios, 101 Studios, and Shelton’s Lucky Horseshoe Productions, has rallied behind this vision, with producer David Glasser calling it “a true labor of love.”
Fans have taken to social media to express their excitement, with hashtags like #TheRoadCBS and #BlakeAndTaylor trending in the wake of the press day. “This is the country music show we’ve been waiting for,” one fan tweeted. “No fake drama, just real artists and real crowds.” Others have praised the casting of Urban and Wilson, with one commenter noting, “Keith and Gretchen know what it takes to make it. This is going to be raw and real.” The show’s focus on independent artists has also sparked enthusiasm among those who feel mainstream competitions often overlook true talent. “Taylor Sheridan’s track record with Yellowstone and Blake’s heart for country music? This is going to be epic,” another fan wrote.
As the October premiere approaches, The Road is poised to capture the spirit of a genre undergoing a renaissance. With Sheridan’s storytelling prowess and Shelton’s industry expertise, the series promises to elevate voices that might otherwise be ignored, much like the bars and backroads that inspired them. Whether it’s the thrill of watching a new star emerge or the humor of Shelton’s quips about Sheridan’s “muscle-y” charm, The Road is set to take viewers on a journey that’s as authentic as it is inspiring. For Blake Shelton, it’s a chance to honor the music and the people who make it, proving that in country music, the road to success is paved with heart, hustle, and a little bit of Oklahoma grit.
