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Keith Urban Hits ‘The Road’ for New Singing Competition
Country superstar Keith Urban is hitting “The Road” for a new singing competition that will criss-cross the country to find the next big talent.
Unlike his time as a judge on “American Idol,” this talent search will come with a twist. The new CBS singing competition will put competitors to the test as they perform as Urban’s opening act on tour.
And each show’s audience will be able to influence which hopeful musicians get to continue on the tour. And get this, they’ll get to see the shows for FREE!
In a Paramount news release, Urban said, “I spent a lot of my underage life playing in some seedy pubs, sometimes just for the bartender. So, I love the idea of throwing artists into a real-world environment, to find out if they are artists.”
“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. For me, touring has always been my first love. It’s where the rubber meets the road. But it’s the only road to take if you want to be a performer,” he added.
“The Road” Teams Keith Urban Up with Blake Shelton
“The Road” comes with more star power than just Keith Urban.
The CBS talent show is being executive produced by country star and former “The Voice” judge Blake Shelton.
In a press release, 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.”
Shelton and his “Lucky Horseshoe Productions” partner Lee Metzger have teamed up with Taylor Sheridan and David Glasser to create the series, which they describe as a mash-up of a competition show and a docu-series.
In the same press release, co-executive producer Taylor Sheridan said, “There is a revolution taking place in country music. Building a platform with Blake for the next leaders of that revolution is an incredibly exciting venture.”
“No more shiny floors and studio audiences. 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. Simple as that,” Sheridan added.
And Shelton and the other show creators had country music fans in mind when they created “The Road.” Shelton’s business partner Lee Metzger said, “Blake and I have been working together a long time and now joining forces with Taylor and David is literally the kind of team you dream about to bring something of this scale to country music fans.”
Keith Urban Plans to Showcase New Album on “The Road” Tour
On “The Road” tour, Keith Urban plans to treat fans to songs from his latest album “High,” which dropped last September. Of course he’ll play older favorites as well.
Here’s a schedule, released by CBS, of “The Road” performances by Urban with “The Road” contestants as his opening acts:
- Sunday, March 2 – Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall in Fort Worth, Texas
- Wednesday, March 5 – The Factory in Deep Ellum in Dallas, Texas
- Sunday, March 9 – Oklahoma Ranch in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Wednesday, March 12 – Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Monday, March 24 – Minglewood Hall in Memphis, Tennessee
- Friday, March 28 – Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tennessee
- Wednesday, April 2 – Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee
Tickets to the performances will be free, distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here to learn more.
Urban will continue on with his “High and Alive” world tour after filming ends. The tour will keep the singer on the road well into 2026.
“The Road” will debut on CBS this fall.
