Blake Shelton and Keith Urban appear in the new CBS TV show, The Road, premiering next month. The two sat down ahead of the show’s debut to talk about their own stories of serving as opening acts, before they became superstars.

“Keith Urban was opening for Kenny Chesney, but then Keith Urban won Entertainer of the Year,” Shelton says. “You know you’re kicking the headliner’s a– when you win Entertainer of the Year.”

“It was an awkward moment. Particularly given that I voted for Kenny,” Urban adds with a laugh.

Keith Urban and Blake Shelton Recall Serving As Opening Acts

Both Urban and Shelton have a long list of acts they opened for on their way to becoming headliners.

“Man, I opened for everybody,” Urban says.

Shelton recalls opening for artists like Lonestar, Toby Keith, and Rascal Flatts, along with several dates on the George Strait tour.

“I think it was 12 shows,” Shelton says. “And I opened for you a lot along the way. In fact, I wish you would book me.”

“Your fees have gone up,” Urban quips.

Not all of Urban’s time serving as an opening act went well. He vividly recalls one time that he was unable to win the audience over, in spite of his talent.

“For me, opening for people is great,” Urban says. “I even opened for a comedian. Come out and play for 30 minutes for an audience that wants to see a comedian. That audience doesn’t want to see a singer. You learn a lot about to keep that audience engaged.”

 

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Keith Urban and Blake Shelton on ‘The Road’

Shelton is producing The Road, alongside Taylor Sheridan.

“I’m a big fan of Taylor’s incredible work, and I’m excited to team with him and my long-time collaborator, Lee [Metzger], on The Road,” Shelton says. “I know a thing or two about singing competitions and what it’s like to chase a music dream and live life on tour. I’m looking forward to discovering new talent and giving them this platform.”

Urban knew as soon as he heard about The Road that he wanted to be a part of the reality TV talent show, which has aspiring artists try to win over Urban’s fanbase as he headlines shows across the country.

“It’s a concept that Blake was one of the people behind it,” Urban says (via Coyote Country). “I loved the idea, and I loved that Taylor Sheridan was going to be involved in it, just from a visual standpoint and the style of the show. The concept of putting artists in a real-world environment versus a TV studio was really appealing to me, because I had 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,” he adds. “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.”

The Road, which also includes Gretchen Wilson as the tour manager, premieres on CBS on October 19. The winner receives a cash prize of $250,000, along with a recording contract.