Blake Shelton Brought the Swagger, Keith Urban the Soul — But Gretchen Wilson Was the Secret Weapon. ML
CBS Launches The Road: Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and Gretchen Wilson Lead New Country Talent Show
CBS’s newest music competition series, The Road, premieres Sunday, October 19, bringing together three of country music’s most prominent names — Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and Gretchen Wilson — in a mentorship-driven format unlike any other.
The show follows emerging country artists as they compete for the chance to open for Urban on tour. Shelton, who co-created the series, brings his signature charm, while Wilson steps into the unique role of tour manager, offering guidance and support to the performers.
“It was a perfect mix,” Wilson said in an interview with TV Insider. “We all contributed something different and valuable.”
Gretchen Wilson’s Transition from Artist to Mentor
Initially, the show intended to hire a traditional tour manager. However, the producers shifted direction, seeking someone with industry clout and a genuine presence. Shelton reportedly suggested Wilson. “It sounds like you’re describing Gretchen Wilson,” he said during early production talks.
Wilson received the offer just two weeks before filming. “I rearranged my schedule — it was too good to pass up,” she said.
Her role went beyond logistics. She became a hands-on mentor, present at every soundcheck and rehearsal. The young contestants began calling her “tour momager.”
“They’d come to me with questions, looking for advice,” she recalled. “I was there to help, encourage, and offer experience-based feedback.”
Authenticity Sets The Road Apart
Wilson emphasized the show’s unscripted nature as one of its strongest features. “There were no scripted lines, no prompts — just reality,” she said. “I’ve worked on ‘reality’ shows that were anything but. This was real.”
The production, led by acclaimed director Taylor Sheridan, captured every moment with cinematic precision. “It was shot beautifully, with 13 cameras. But it also felt intimate and family-like.”
The emotional stakes were high. “For these musicians, this isn’t just TV — it’s their future,” Wilson said.
Behind-the-Scenes Lessons
Being part of The Road allowed Wilson to experience the music industry from a new angle. “I gained a whole new respect for the crew and production,” she said. “The performers aren’t the only ones under pressure — everyone’s heart is in it.”
Wilson believes the show offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the realities of touring life. “From sleepless nights on the bus to high-pressure performances, the show captures what it’s really like.”
Gretchen Wilson on Camera: Expect Realness
Wilson’s fans — and newcomers — can expect to see her signature honesty on screen.
“I’ve been real from the beginning,” she said. “I was 27 when I broke through. I don’t fake anything. Maybe that’s what they wanted for this show — someone who just tells it like it is.”
