Although shows like American Idol and The Voice focus on finding the next hit singer, an upcoming show from CBS focused on preparing aspiring artists. The reality series, called the The Road, placed contestants on a different path as they opened for stars like Keith Urban on tour. Throughout each stop during the tour, the contestants will try to win over the fans and secure a spot at the next stop. Featuring Urban, country singer Blake Shelton will also be on hand to help singers. And when it comes to touring, nothing could happen with a tour manager. Needing to fill that role, the producers turned to Grammy winner Gretchen Wilson.
Known for hits like “Homewrecker”, Wilson first gained the stoplight when she performed at a bar. Little did she know, she would meet John Rich of Big & Rich. He quickly invited her to work with him. That friendship turned into her debut album Here for the Party, which landed her a No. 1 hit with “Redneck Woman.” With years worth of experience, Wilson appeared the perfect pick for the tour manager.
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Gretchen Wilson Ready To Highlight The Grind Of Life On The Road
Speaking about joining The Road, Wilson said, “Stepping into the role of ‘tour manager’ for THE ROAD has allowed me to take everything I’ve learned over all of my years of touring and pour it right back into these emerging musicians. Helping them sharpen their talents to capture the attention of these crowds across America, and guiding them through the real and raw grind of life on the road, has been a highlight of my career.”
With Wilson loving her time with the team surrounding the new show, which included Shelton, Urban, and Taylor Sheridan, she insisted, “Working with Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Taylor Sheridan and the rest of the team and our incredible crew was absolutely amazing.”
Expected to premiere in the fall of 2025, Urban admitted the project appealed to him given the authentic setting. “The concept of putting artists in a real-world environment versus a TV studio was really appealing to me because I’ve not seen that before, where there’s no vocal coach backstage, there’s no A&R’ing of their songs. They have to choose a cover and they have to choose an original and they’ve got to go out and make that work in front of an audience that isn’t there to see them.”
Already bringing in names like Shelton, Urban, Wilson, and Sheridan, don’t miss the premiere of The Road this fall on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
(Photo by Connie Chornuk/CBS via Getty Images)