CBS almost had a country crossover for the ages. Sources confirm that Tracker producers initially approached country music star Jelly Roll for a guest role in Season 3 — but scheduling conflicts (and a tempting Fire Country cameo) pulled him in another direction. Still, the creative team behind Tracker isn’t giving up on their Nashville dreams just yet.
With Tracker thriving as CBS’s top-rated freshman drama and Justin Hartley continuing to bring rugged charm to Colter Shaw, producers say they’re “actively exploring” bringing country stars into upcoming episodes — both as musical cameos and full-fledged characters.
How Jelly Roll Slipped Away
According to insiders, Jelly Roll was offered a one-episode guest spot as a traveling musician who helps Colter solve a case involving a stolen guitar with emotional ties. The idea was to merge the show’s Americana tone with Jelly Roll’s real-life storytelling persona.
“Jelly was perfect — his music fits the soul of Tracker,” a production insider tells us exclusively. “We had him penciled in for a midseason episode, but Fire Country shot first, and we didn’t want to pull him from that commitment.”
Jelly Roll ultimately appeared in Fire Country’s musical benefit episode, which turned into one of that show’s most-watched hours of the season. “We love that he stayed in the CBS family,” Tracker showrunner Elwood Reid said. “It just means we’ll have to find another way to bring him in someday.”
Country Stars on the Tracker Wish List
Reid and Hartley have reportedly been brainstorming a short list of musicians they’d love to feature — each bringing a different slice of Americana energy to Tracker’s world of mystery and open roads.
1. Chris Stapleton — “The Quiet Force”
Stapleton’s brooding charisma and soulful presence make him the top dream guest. “He’s got that everyman mystery,” says Reid. “Imagine Colter crossing paths with a drifter who turns out to be a hero in disguise — Chris could crush that.”
2. Kacey Musgraves — “The Storyteller”
Producers are eyeing Musgraves for a female-driven case built around themes of resilience and lost identity. One proposed storyline involves Colter helping a runaway singer rediscover her voice while evading an obsessed fan. “Kacey’s grace and quiet power would be magnetic opposite Justin,” says a casting source.
3. Dierks Bentley — “The Outlaw Vibe”
Bentley, who has acting experience, is rumored to be on CBS’s radar for a Season 4 guest role. “He fits Tracker’s outdoors aesthetic perfectly,” an insider teases. “Picture a back-roads chase with guitars, whiskey, and a mystery only Dierks can untangle.”
4. Lainey Wilson — “The Survivor”
Fresh off her Yellowstone fame, Wilson would bring a perfect blend of grit and authenticity. Reid says she’s “the embodiment of what Tracker is about — strength, independence, and finding purpose on the road.”
5. Luke Bryan — “Comic Relief with Heart”
Every intense drama needs a breather. Bryan’s playful charm could make him the ideal comic guest star — a small-town mechanic who unexpectedly becomes Colter’s reluctant partner on a case gone sideways.
Music Meets Mystery
Part of what makes Tracker unique is its tone — a grounded adventure series with an Americana heartbeat. “The show’s about the open road, redemption, and connection,” Hartley told People. “That’s exactly what country music is about too.”
Reid agrees: “Country artists understand storytelling better than almost anyone. They write about loss, faith, freedom — all the things Colter Shaw chases every week.”
So, Will a Country Crossover Happen?
Insiders say it’s not a matter of if but when. CBS is reportedly exploring a “Music of Tracker” episode in Season 4 that would feature multiple guest musicians — blending original songs with the show’s emotional casework.
And if Jelly Roll ever has a free week? The door’s still wide open.
“We’ll keep a truck running and a guitar waiting,” Reid laughs. “Because sooner or later, Colter Shaw’s going to need a partner who can sing his way out of trouble.”
