Adam Sanders was crowned the first-ever winner of The Road during its finale on Sunday night (Dec. 21).
Still, it was what judge Keith Urban whispered to him immediately after his big moment that made it even more unforgettable.
Sanders beat out fellow finalists Cassidy Daniels and Channing Wilson during the final round, which took place at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
Each of the Top 3 performed one last time — a cover and a previously performed original — before the live audience voted to decide the winner.
Judges’ Reactions
After the results were announced, the judges offered their congratulations — but Urban made his message personal and unfiltered.
Read More: What Does the Winner of ‘The Road’ Get? CBS Singing Competition Prize Revealed
“You played this thing like a f–king fiddle,” Urban whispered in Sanders’ ear, the singer revealed during a post-win appearance on Highway Mornings with SiriusXM host Cody Alan.
As for Blake Shelton? Sanders explained the country superstar kept it cool and classic — offering a simple “congratulations,” true to his strong-silent reputation.
A Big Moment at the Ryman
Sanders’ win capped off a night of standout performances. For his final round, he covered Brooks & Dunn’s “That Ain’t No Way to Go,” which Urban praised as a “great choice,” before delivering his original song, “All Summer Long.”
Read More: Blake Shelton’s Stepson Zuma Watches Him Perform on ‘The Road’ Finale [Video]
“This guy had the entire Ryman singing along with him,” Shelton said, with Urban adding, “He couldn’t have done anything more than that tonight.”
For his victory, Sanders walked away with a $250,000 grand prize, a record deal, and a performance slot on the main stage at Stagecoach — a massive next step for an artist who’s spent years chasing the spotlight.
9 Bold Country Music Predictions For 2026
No, we don’t have a crystal ball…but we DO have nine out-there ideas for where country music could be headed in 2026.
This predictions list includes the stars we think will release new music, and we named a star we think will rise out of reality television. Plus, we predicted the exact month we think Jelly Roll will have a major cover story spot and took a stab at guessing the 2026 CMA Entertainer of the Year.
Our batting average for country music predictions has been about 4/9 in the past couple of years, so don’t expect all of these to come true. But hey, even if they don’t — there’s always 2027.
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak
