Country superstar Gretchen Wilson is gearing up for a major comeback — not on the charts (at least not yet), but on television. The “Redneck Woman” singer has signed on to play a pivotal role in “The Road,” a new music competition show coming to CBS, marking her return to mainstream visibility after years away from the spotlight. And if you’ve missed Wilson’s no-nonsense personality and powerhouse vocals, you’ll definitely want to tune in, because this show sounds tailor-made for the country music world.
So, what exactly is The Road? Think of it as “American Idol” meets life on tour. The series, executive-produced by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, puts a fresh twist on the singing competition format by whisking a group of talented up-and-coming musicians onto a real tour across America. Their task: serve as opening acts for country superstar Keith Urban in venues around the country, impressing not just a panel of mentors but also real concert crowds night after night. It’s a grueling, gritty journey – long drives, late nights, live audiences every show – essentially a crash course in becoming a touring artist. And that’s where Gretchen Wilson comes in.
Wilson, now 49, has been cast in the role of “Tour Manager,” a mentor-figure on the show who will guide the contestants through the ups and downs of life on the road. It’s a perfect fit for a performer who knows the touring grind all too well. Gretchen will be the one doling out practical advice, backstage pep talks, and maybe a little tough love when needed. She’ll also apparently get back on the mic herself: the show’s producers have confirmed Gretchen will perform on the series as well, bringing her own hits to The Road stage. For fans who haven’t seen her perform on TV in ages, this is exciting news.
In a statement about her new gig, Wilson sounded genuinely energized by the opportunity. “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,” Gretchen said. “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.” Coming from someone who’s won a Grammy and topped charts, calling this a career highlight signals how special the project is to her. Wilson went on to gush about working alongside Keith Urban and fellow country star Blake Shelton, who is also involved in the show. (Shelton, having recently departed The Voice, clearly isn’t done mentoring talent on reality TV — he’ll be joining Urban in seeking out the next big star through The Road’s competition.) “Working with Keith, Blake, Taylor Sheridan and the rest of the team was absolutely amazing,” Gretchen shared. “It was an honor to be part of this, and I can’t wait for the world to watch!”
For Wilson, The Road is more than just a TV appearance; it’s a welcome reintroduction. She burst onto the country scene in 2004 with her irreverent anthem “Redneck Woman,” then notched a string of hits and platinum albums, becoming a key figure in country music’s “Muzik Mafia” era. But over the last decade, she stepped back from the limelight, releasing music independently and largely avoiding the public eye (aside from a brief headline-grabbing incident in 2018 involving an airport disturbance). Now, seeing Gretchen beside heavy-hitters like Urban and Shelton on a primetime show feels like a full-circle moment. She’s coming back not as the bright-eyed newcomer, but as the seasoned veteran eager to lift up the next generation.
The Road itself promises to be an adrenaline-filled ride. Each episode will give viewers a backstage pass to the contestants’ life on tour — from cramped tour bus living to soundchecks and stage fright, all the drama that a typical glossy singing show doesn’t show you. The emerging artists will have to win over real crowds (imagine opening for Keith Urban in front of thousands – no pressure, right?) and likely face weekly challenges or eliminations as Urban and Shelton evaluate who’s got the star power to make it in the business. The presence of a “tour manager” mentor like Wilson adds an extra layer of authenticity. It’s easy to picture her pulling a young singer aside to say, “Here’s how you handle it when you’ve played three shows in three states and you’re running on no sleep,” or “Here’s how to keep your voice in shape on a long tour.”
CBS has slated The Road to premiere in fall 2025, with episodes airing on the network and streaming on Paramount+. For country fans, it’s immediately one of the most intriguing TV offerings on the horizon. And for Gretchen Wilson’s fans, it will be a treat to see her fiery spirit and hard-earned wisdom in the spotlight again. Don’t be surprised if her presence on the show even leads to a little bump in interest for her music — perhaps a new single timed with the premiere? (One can hope!).
Either way, Gretchen’s clearly relishing this new role. The Road could very well produce country’s next big star, but it’s also giving one of country’s 2000s superstars a well-deserved encore in the limelight. Buckle up, because between the on-stage performances and off-stage reality, The Road is looking like a wild, wonderful journey, with Gretchen Wilson riding shotgun.
