Gretchen Wilson is opening up about how she found herself on the new TV show, The Road. The singer-songwriter reveals that it was Blake Shelton who first suggested Wilson, during a meeting while still planning the new show. Wilson joins Shelton, who is executive producing the show with Taylor Sheridan, and Keith Urban, who is the headlining act the contestants open for during each tour stop
“The show was looking for a tour manager to be involved,” Wilson tells CMT. “They were sitting around in a meeting, and talking about the kind of personality that they needed to handle this position, and I think they said they needed somebody who was really firm and strong, and kind of like a no bull kind of person, but also somebody who was soft enough to be able to be emotional and take this ride with these kids as they journey through this. And I believe it was Blake who said, ‘Well it sounds to me like you’re describing Gretchen Wilson.'”
What Gretchen Wilson Says About Being on ‘The Road’
The Road, which just premiered, filmed earlier this year. For Wilson, it’s a new way to discover talented singers, and unlike any other show.
“It’s so completely different from anything else like it that you’ve ever seen on TV,” Wilson says.
“I think what’s so unique about this show is all of the behind-the-scenes,” she continues. “I think Taylor Sheridan bringing his magical touch to the show; this show is filmed in a way that I think people get to see a lot more of the real life of what it really takes to be on the road as a musician, as a touring musician. A lot more of the ups and downs and the behind the scenes than anybody else really has ever let anyone see.”
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Gretchen Wilson Praises Keith Urban After Working With Him on ‘The Road’
Wilson Shelton, and Urban spent a lot of time together while filming The Road, making Wilson an even bigger fan of Urban than she was before.
“Man, I was really in awe of him. … He’s just so laser-focused when it comes to the work and the job and the schedule, and the way that he treated these musicians on set,” Wilson tells Taste of Country. “He’s a super busy man, but he gave them a lot of his time. He gave them a lot of his expertise, even when he didn’t have to be there during soundcheck, he was there, helping me out.”
Why Blake Shelton Chose Both Gretchen Wilson and Keith Urban on ‘The Road’
The Road is the brainchild of Shelton, who spent 23 seasons as a coach on The Voice. He personally hand-picked both Wilson and Urban.
“Gretchen, she’s literally one of my favorite people in the music industry,” Shelton boasts during a recent media event. “Because she just doesn’t take any sh– from anybody, about anything. So when you’re looking for that person to represent the tour manager’s job, that character of the show…I don’t want to talk about anybody else. I want Gretchen. She can do this. She can be honest with people, and talk direct to them, in a way that’s meaningful, but you pay attention. There was nobody else for me than Gretchen to do that job.”
As for Urban, Shelton acknowledges there probably isn’t a bigger superstar right now than the “Straight Line” singer.
“There’s not much you have to say, besides ‘Keith Urban.’ Besides who he is as an artist and a musician, and all the awards and accolades,” Shelton says at a recent media event, revealing why he chose Urban. “I mean, what he brought to the table, from being a coach on The Voice, being a judge on American Idol. I’ve seen this guy in action, being a record producer himself. Literally every layer of the music industry that you could possibly think of, he’s accomplished. He’s a no-brainer.”
Photo Credit: CBS / Connie Chornuk