Former “American Idol” judge Keith Urban will be headlining a new music competition series set to premiere on CBS in the fall, and tickets to the concerts featured in the series will be free to all fans.
On February 25, Urban took to Instagram to announce he was joining “The Road,” a new show from executive producers Blake Shelton, Taylor Sheridan, Lee Metzger and David Glasser. Broadcasting live from Las Vegas, where he recently completed a limited engagement in the BleauLive Theater with the last performance on February 22, Urban said he looked forward to “helping Blake Shelton find America’s next big star.”
According to the February 25 press release, Urban will play seven special performances for “The Road” at venues throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Tennessee, with several aspiring singers joining him on the brief tour to perform as the opening acts. Based on those performances, local fan bases will help decide which singers remain on tour to take the stage at the next stop.
The release indicated that tickets for these performances are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a link provided for more information.
“So excited to be joining Taylor Sheridan’s brand new competition series,” Urban said.
Keith Urban Announces Involvement With Music Competition Series Premiering This Fall
A press release from November 11, 2024, to announce the series indicated that it will be filmed in a “docu-follow format,” giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look into “the gritty and unforgiving life of a touring artist.”
“No more shiny floors and studio audiences. This is where the rubber meets the road – literally,” Sheridan, the “Yellowstone” creator, said in the release. “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.”
Shelton, who spent 23 seasons as a judge on “The Voice,” said in the release that he is “a big fan of Taylor’s incredible work,” and he cannot wait for “The Road” to get started.
“I know a thing or two about singing competitions and what it’s like to chase a music dream and live life on tour,” Shelton said. “I’m looking forward to discovering new talent and giving them this platform.”
Keith Urban Will Perform in Seven Free Shows, With Aspiring Singers as Opening Acts
Urban, who on September 20, 2024, announced via Instagram the release of his 11th studio album, “High,” is scheduled to begin the High and Alive World Tour on May 22 in Orange Beach, Alabama. According to the February 25 release, Urban will add the following special performances for “The Road” that will also feature the hopeful musicians:
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, Okla.
Wednesday, March 12 – Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Okla.
Monday, March 24 – Minglewood Hall in Memphis, Tenn.
Friday, March 28 – Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn.
Wednesday, April 2 – Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.
“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,” Urban said. “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.”
