Meet The Road Musicians Competing on CBS as Opening Acts for Keith Urban

Taylor Sheridan is set to stir the waters of reality television with his latest music competition show, The Road. This new venture, premiering on October 19, doesn’t just put recognizable faces like Keith Urban and Blake Shelton in the spotlight; it also brings forth a bevy of emerging talent vying to make their mark in the country music arena.

In The Road, an unprecedented format in the genre, 12 aspiring musicians will compete as opening acts for Urban at various venues across America. Their fate relies heavily on live audience reactions—only the most thrilling performances will earn advancement to the next show. At the end of this musical odyssey, one contender will ultimately secure $250,000 and a coveted record deal.

Urban isn’t alone in shaping this project; Blake Shelton takes on the roles of executive producer while Gretchen Wilson takes charge as the Tour Manager. Furthermore, appearances from various country luminaries like Jordan Davis, Karen Fairchild, Dustin Lynch, and Brothers Osborne as guest advisors throughout the season promise to add an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings.

The show’s official synopsis emphasizes a departure from traditional formats: “Stripped of any glittery stage illusions, the docu-follow style lays bare the high-stakes, raw journeys undertaken by these multi-talented artists—singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists. Audiences will be granted a backstage pass into the grueling realities of life on tour, all while these musicians climb the ladder toward their dreams.”

In a chat with Us Weekly before its premiere, Urban reflected on his experience and the wisdom he’s eager to impart to these burgeoning artists about the relentless “discipline” demanded by the music industry. “I just played a show in Vegas last night and I have another one tomorrow. Taping this finale fell in between. I think that discipline is the one constant in our lives,” he explained, noting how he admires how Gretchen Wilson—a nurturing figure akin to a “Mama Bear”—offers invaluable counsel to the contestants.

Mark your calendars; The Road kicks off on CBS October 19 at 9 p.m. ET, with streaming available on Paramount+. Initial episodes will air at 9:30 p.m. ET on October 26th and November 2nd following the NFL Doubleheader, before returning to its regular slot at 9 p.m. on November 9.

Now, as excitement builds, Us Weekly unveils the talented musicians ready to harness this opportunity in their pursuit of stardom:

Britnee Kellogg

Kellogg draws inspiration from the likes of Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, with tracks such as “Back of My Mind,” “Hey Mama,” “Where My Girls At,” and “Keep You in the Dark” already under her belt.

Channing Wilson

Before signing on to The Road, Wilson crafted his musical path, not only performing his own songs but also writing tracks for artists like Luke Combs. He aptly notes, “In tough times, music acts as a testament that people are not alone in their struggles, something I aspire to convey with my work.”

Billie Jo Jones

As a mother of four, Jones’s musical journey took flight with her album Some Girls Don’t Cry just in time for her debut on The Road. “Growing up, I embraced the sound of Shania Twain, Billy Ray Cyrus, and the Dixie Chicks. Discovering new songs on the radio was like a delightful treasure hunt; I had to know every word,” Jones reminisced in an interview.

Olivia Harms

Hailing from a musical lineage as the daughter of Western Music Hall of Fame member Joni Harms, Olivia debuted at 16 with her album, sealing her path in music. “My vision has always been to encapsulate the traditional country sound, blending Bakersfield twang with some country-western swing that revives the essence of honky-tonks,” she noted.

Cassidy Daniels

A guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist, Cassidy has made rounds opening for prominent names in both country and rock genres. Since 7, she’s been crafting songs, touring from dive bars to larger venues, embracing the styles of the musicians before her.

Forrest McCurren

In his songwriting, Forest poignantly explores the everyday lives of Middle America, with lyrical threads that weave tales from “wise words from waitresses” to “heartbroken high school football standouts.” He creates music that resonates with “good people still drunk on their dreams.”