‘Road’ Trip to Stardom
Anthem’s Britnee Kellogg Takes the Scenic Route
Writer Shannon Severson // Photography Courtesy of CBS Entertainment
The tour bus idles outside another venue, another city, another chance to connect with an audience through song. For most fans, this is where the story ends — but for Anthem’s Britnee Kellogg, it’s where CBS’s “The Road” begins.
The groundbreaking reality series pulls back the curtain on touring life, following 12 emerging musicians as they compete for the chance to open for Grammy winner Keith Urban. The talented mother of three has been singing since age 6 and, while she’s performed for years on her own, the show marks her first experience as part of a national tour.
“I think ‘The Road’ will change the [music singing competition] game,” Kellogg says of the show, which airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. “It’s much more behind the scenes and shows what it’s like to be on the road — the nitty-gritty, the bus rides — you get to know the artists in a different, more connected way. It’s not an easy life, but touring has been a big part of my career. They focus on original music, which is unheard of [in this genre]. I’m excited for viewers to see what it’s really like.”
Despite the show being a competition, she says the contestants spend so much time together that they’ve become like a family, guided by country megastars Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Blake Shelton, who teamed with Taylor Sheridan of “Yellowstone” and “Landman” as co-executive producers.
“Yes, it’s a competition, but we’ve all been doing this for a long time, and this is our dream — it’s what we want to do,” she says earnestly. “I can only speak for myself, but I really do believe that we all wanted each other to be successful, whatever that looks like. I think that’s something really special, and you’ll see that on the show.”
Kellogg spent most of her life in Washington state, growing up on ‘90s country. Her very first concert was Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. She names the Cashes, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw and Martina McBride as early influences. It’s that storytelling style that she loves, and she sees a space for it in today’s country music landscape.
“I look back to being in my mid-20s, and when I went through a breakup, I’d turn on country radio and I could relate to the lyrics,” she recalls. “Now, as a 40-year-old, what’s on the radio today just doesn’t reflect what I’m going through. I feel like we really need more music for the average person going through it — the messy kitchens, screaming kids, divorce — everyday life. We don’t have that demographic right now in country music. It’s traditionally been a younger person’s game. I honestly believe that this show is going to change that.”
Kellogg plays guitar, writing and singing songs for real life. “Hey Mama” is one of her anthems that strikes a chord with mothers in the thick of parenting — the stress of busy days and sleepless nights — but she points out that the lyrics serve up a mix of encouragement and tough love.
“The song says, ‘It’s not gonna be this hard forever,’ but it also says to get over it,” she says with a laugh. “It’s hard right now, but you’ve got this. ‘Pull yourself together’ and let’s go. I stay true to that.”
Kellogg shares that she’s often asked how she balances life as a wife, mother and touring musician and admits it’s not easy; she relies heavily on her family support system as she pursues what she terms her first love — music — which she compares to being like another one of her children. While it’s hard to be away, her eldest son has expressed admiration that she’s doing all she can to pursue her goal, saying it inspires him to do the same in his own life.
“My son has said, ‘I’ve seen you walk out the door, and I know that I can do it, too. I know my circumstances don’t define my future,’” she says, her voice softening with the memory. “I hang on to knowing that my kids are going to have dreams, and they’re going to believe in them because they saw me do it. They’re seeing what determination, grit and passion look like, and they’re going to be better for it. I’m so grateful to have such an incredible support system — my husband, my mom and family.”
That newfound confidence extends to how she approaches work-life balance. For Kellogg, staying grounded means being wholly present, whether at home or on the road.
“When I’m home, I’m being present as much as I can,” she reveals. “I’m not working. When I’m gone, we have daily FaceTime chats, but I’m focused on work. The behind-the-scenes of ‘The Road’ is just incredible. I think my kids will see it and understand a bit more about what I’m doing and how busy it is. I think it will be really cool for them to see, and they are so excited and proud. We can’t wait to tune in to see it all.”
As her family learns more about her life as a musician, Kellogg says her experience on the show has prompted personal reflection and growth in how she perceives herself and her career. She’s faced self-doubt, admitting that being compared to 11 other super-talented artists can shake your confidence. When you hear another person’s powerful vocals or compelling songwriting, it’s easy to question your own abilities. But she’s gained a new perspective on her musical gifts.
“Through this process, I really learned that every single one of us has something unique and different to bring to the table or to our careers,” she says.
While life and experience have been excellent teachers, so too have the show’s celebrity coaches.
“Working with Blake, Keith and Gretchen, I’ll never be able to repay them for the advice and encouragement,” she says with heartfelt enthusiasm. “They have those years of experience, and they tell you, ‘Wow! This song is crazy!’ or other things that encourage you to keep going. They’re people who have had such amazing success in the industry, and then Taylor Sheridan — I literally feel like everything he touches turns to gold. I’m just honored to be a part of it.”
Wilson, whom Kellogg describes as a “mama” who took the contestants under her wing, acts as the show’s tour manager. As the contestants travel from city to city, Urban, Shelton and guest country stars, along with a live audience, decide who advances until one winner remains.
“Gretchen is wonderful,” Kellogg reveals. “She has a tenacity and [an attitude of] ‘I’m going to do this whether you like it or not,’ and it is what has made her successful. Keith is one of the most insanely talented musicians, and his charisma on stage is just something you can’t match. And Blake, of course, you just want to pinch his cheeks. He’s so sweet and easygoing; he’s an entertainer. He steps on stage and you say, ‘Yes. That’s it.’”
With all the advice that Kellogg has taken to heart through her experience on “The Road” and throughout her career, she has some wisdom of her own for aspiring performers.
“The biggest advice I have is, if it really, truly is your dream, then just never, never stop; never give up,” she says. “You’re going to hear ‘no.’ You’re going to hear ‘you’re terrible.’ The door is going to be slammed in your face 100 times, and you just have to get up and keep going and believe in what you have to say.”
She’s also learned that fame isn’t something to chase as an end game and shouldn’t be the goal.
“My goal is to get my music into the hands of as many people as I can and to change lives with my music. I want people to connect to my music at whatever level I’m allowed, and I’m going to be so incredibly grateful for it.”
As Kellogg’s journey continues, her clear passion for music and storytelling has only deepened as she’s learned to embrace the special, singular nature of her talent as a performer and songwriter who uses her voice, her words and her life experience to connect with and uplift others. Her commitment to sharing the messy, everyday challenges of life is sure to resonate with fans old and new, and her determination to never give up on her dreams, even in the face of adversity, is an inspiration for anyone working to make their dreams a reality.
