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"The Road" premieres on CBS and Paramount+, where contestants compete to be Keith Urban’s opening act, with mentorship from Gretchen Wilson and appearances by top country artists. The winner receives $250,000, a recording contract, and high-profile performance slots.
October 19, 2025
Source:
Billboard
New Country Music Series Debuts
"The Road", a new music competition series, premiered on October 19, 2025 on CBS and Paramount+. The show brings together twelve rising musicians, all aiming to become the opening act for country superstar Keith Urban.
The premiere is the start of a nationwide search for the next major country act, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and excitement of life on a touring show (source: Bleeding Cool).
Format Overview
Contestants compete in Fort Worth, Texas and must win over local fans at each stop.
The top performers move forward, traveling from city to city.
The show airs Sundays, starting with shifting time slots and stabilizing at 9–10 pm from November 9, 2025.
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Source:
American Songwriter
Show Leadership and Mentorship
Keith Urban leads the series, with guidance from executive producers Taylor Sheridan, Blake Shelton, David C. Glasser, and Lee Metzger (Paramount+). Multiple Grammy winner Gretchen Wilson acts as tour manager, providing support, mentorship, and live performances. “Her role as mentor and performer sets a new tone for artist development on reality TV” (source: Bleeding Cool).
Advisors and Guidance
Guest advisors include Jordan Davis, Karen Fairchild, Dustin Lynch, and Brothers Osborne.
These artists provide coaching and insights on the realities of touring and fan engagement.
Read More
Source:
Bethany Writes
Prizes and Opportunities
Grand Prize: $250,000, a recording contract with Country Road Records, a main stage slot at the 2026 Stagecoach Festival, and a performance at Red Bull Jukebox.
Runners-up: Five recording sessions at Red Bull Studio Los Angeles.
The show distinguishes itself by focusing on live performance skills and fan interaction. Official images and clips are available via the Paramount+ episode page.
How to Watch
Episodes stream on Paramount+ and air Sundays on CBS.
Behind-the-scenes previews are featured on sites like Bleeding Cool.
Who are the contestants competing to be Keith Urban's opening act?
The series features twelve up-and-coming country musicians, though individual contestant names have not been detailed in the preview sources.
What are the challenges faced by the contestants on the tour?
How does Gretchen Wilson contribute to the competition?
What are the prizes for the winner and runners-up?
Who are the guest advisors on "The Road"?
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