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Although born in New Zealand and raised in nearby Australia, Keith Urban made his biggest splash in Nashville, where he helped rewrite the rules of contemporary county songs. By embracing drum loops and elements of Top 40 pop, Urban wrote music that appealed to a wide audience, effectively satisfying his Nashville fans without alienating those more accustomed to pop songs. He also became a genuine celebrity, known for his good looks, marriage to Nicole Kidman, and outspoken battle with alcoholism. Even so, it was the music that maintained Urban’s career, from his work with the Ranch at a time of the late ’90s to the acclaimed solo units that followed.

Keith Urban began learning guitar as a six year-old. His father, the owner of a local convenience store, agreed to hang a guitar teacher’s flyer in his shop window in exchange for free lessons. The lessons went to his son, who demonstrated natural talent on the instrument and won several talent competitions at a time of still in elementary school. Urban grew comfortable on-stage, and he worked on his singing and acting abilities as a member of the Westfield Super Juniors, a local theater company. Meanwhile, he took a cue from his father (who had a deep interested in American culture and country material) by gravitating toward the work of Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, Don Williams, and Jimmy Webb, all of whom inspired his early attempts at songwriting. Urban added his own dimension to those influences when he discovered Dire Straits and became interested in the fretwork of Mark Knopfler, which led to in-depth study of Knopfler’s tone and technique.

Australian country material was primed for a revolution at the start of the ’90s, and Keith Urban — young, brash, and blonde, with a guitar style that owed heavily to rock & roll — was part of that transformation. After signing with the Australian branch of EMI Records, he released his first album and charted multiple number one smashes in his home country. Even so, Urban’s sights remained set on Nashville, TN, which he considered to be the birthplace of the material he loved. Having made periodical pilgrimages to Nashville to forge valuable career bridges, he soon decided to base himself in the city. With his Australian bandmate, drummer Peter Clarke, he formed a three-piece band named the Ranch. Their original bass player soon returned to Australia, but West Virginian Jerry Flowers rapidly stepped in.

The Ranch’s music was raw and rowdy, more indicative of Australian pub rock than Nashville country. Even so, the ensemble eventually netted a album deal with Capitol Nashville and a management contract with Miles Copeland, who had previously managed the Police. The group’s debut album, The Ranch, was put forth to moderate acclaim in 1997, but Urban was forced to take a break when he developed throat problems, and the Ranch disbanded soon after. during Urban remained on vocal rest, other performers called upon him to add some of his fleet-fingered magic to their records. Garth Brooks asked Urban to perform on Double Live, the Dixie Chicks invited him to play on their second record (which featured a reworked version of “Some Days You Gotta Dance,” a song that had previously appeared on the Ranch’s debut), and Matt Rollings — one of Nashville’s top producers — hired Urban as a session player for his latest record. The two immediately clicked.

Impressed with Rollings’ knowledge of Nashville’s session players, Urban asked him to produce his next solo album. gave us in 1999, the self-titled Keith Urban spawned four hit singles and helped paved the way for his successful solo career in America. A tour in support of that record saw Keith Urban opening for such major acts as Dwight Yoakam, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw, as well as as the main billing act on his own shows. Urban found increased success with 2002’s Golden Road, which sent three singles to the top of the country charts and went triple platinum in the U.S., as well as 2004’s Be Here, which bested the feats of its predecessor by selling over four million units. Keith Urban was now a contemporary country superstar, replete with Grammy nominations and paparazzi attention, and his label capitalized on that attention by reissuing the Ranch’s debut album later that year. An anthology of Urban’s work, Days Go By, came in 2005.

The next year, Urban continued to attract media focus with his highly publicized engagement (and June marriage) to fellow Australian Nicole Kidman, plus his voluntary entry into a rehabilitation center for alcohol addiction. He temporarily postponed all his upcoming promotional appearances, although the record Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing was put forth that November as scheduled. It failed to produce a number one hit (the first of Urban’s solo units to do so), but Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing nevertheless went double platinum in America, aided in part by a popular tour with Carrie Underwood. Urban returned to the top of the charts in 2008 with a re-recorded version of “You Look Good in My Shirt,” which had originally appeared on 2002’s Golden Road. The new version appeared on his latest compilation record, Greatest Hits: 18 Kids, and its success helped pave the way for Urban’s next solo album. put forth in 2009, Defying Gravity found the artist ruminating on life with Nicole Kidman while chart-topping tracks like “Sweet Thing” and “Kiss a Girl.”

Nominations Announced for “55th Academy of Country Music Awards™”

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ENCINO, CA (February 27, 2020) – The Academy of Country Music® announced today the nominations for the 55TH ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, honoring the biggest names and emerging talent in the Country Music industry. Reigning ACM® Entertainer of the Year and 15-time ACM Award®-winner Keith Urban will host the show for the first time. The 55th ACM Awards® will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Sunday, April 5 (live 8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network, and will be available to stream live and on-demand across digital platforms on the CBS All Access subscription service.

Keith Urban To Headline Sturgis Buffalo Chip in 2019!

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Keith Urban at Sturgis 2019

Country music megastar and Entertainer of the Year nominee Keith Urban is already making plans for 2019, and so far they’re looking rowdy and road-ready! Our friends at Sturgis Buffalo Chip have announced Urban as the first major headliner for the 2019 rally and festival. Continue reading Keith Urban To Headline Sturgis Buffalo Chip in 2019!→

Nicole Kidman Includes Keith Urban in Golden Globes Acceptance

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In a time of gender divides and terrible revelations, country’s sweetheart couple stands together as an example of love and respect. In last night’s Golden Globe award ceremony the pair flashed another set of great relationship goals as Nicole Kidman included husband Keith Urban in her acceptance speech for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series for her role as Celeste Wright in HBO’s Big Little Lies. “Keith Urban, when my cheek  is against yours, everything melts away, and that is love. It’s true. I love you so much,” she said. Her impassioned speech included appreciation for her co-stars of the series, including co-producer Reese Witherspoon, as well as Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley and Zoe Kravitz. The show went on to win Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. Alexander Skarsgard and Laura Dern also picked up Best Supporting awards for their roles in Big Little Lies.   Keith is making his way up the country charts with his latest song, “Female.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8BhbOqgTAI  

Watch Now: 2017 CMA Awards Videos

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CMA Award News on Country Music News Blog

Last night’s CMA Awards were nothing short of spectacular. We’re working to assemble videos from last night’s tributes, performances, and controversial moments. Scroll below to start watching and check back through the day as we get more in and replace the recap videos with full-length performances. Associated Press highlights the political and emotional moments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSbMbtZIgw8 Dierks Bentley & Rascal Flatts with Eddie Montgomery – My Town – A Tribute to Troy Gentry Carrie Underwood – Softly & Tenderly Dan + Shay with Lauren Alaina – Come Together https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcoeQ4aySgI Tim McGraw & Faith Hill – The Rest of Our Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMCBv08WMQE Sturgill Simpson Goes Rogue, Busking Outside Bridgestone Arena During CMA’s Kelsea Ballerini with Reba McEntire – Legends https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Od2CltbQ9o Brothers Osborne – It Ain’t My Fault/ Tulsa Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWJ4oivoFg8 Keith Urban – Female https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8BhbOqgTAI P!nk – Barbies https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUK37UUaHzo Little Big Town with Jimmy Webb – Wichita Lineman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iz83-Cmt6A Thomas Rhett – Unforgettable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D8Bsqg4-z8 Maren Morris & Naill Horan – I could use a love song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amBazdMAf9o

Tune-In Alert: “Keith Urban: Live From Phoenix” Debuts Friday July 14th on Audience Network

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Keith Urban In Concert

AT&T and AUDIENCE Network Present: “Keith Urban: Live From Phoenix” Concert Special Airs Friday, July 14 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT On DIRECTV and U-verse (DIRECTV Ch 239/U-verse Ch 1114) and DIRECTV NOW Tune in to the AT&T* AUDIENCE Network concert special “Keith Urban: Live From Phoenix” airing Friday, July 14,at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT via DIRECTV Ch 239, AT&T U-verse Ch 1114 and on-demand through DIRECTV NOW. The electrifying live performance and interview from the four-time GRAMMY Award-winning, platinum-selling artist was filmed on location during the AT&T Block Party at the 2017 NCAA March Madness Music Festival in Phoenix. Watch the trailer for “Keith Urban: Live From Phoenix” (HERE).  AUDIENCE Network delivers groundbreaking concerts, unique stories and exclusive performances across all genres, plus select programming in ultra high-definition/4K1, to audiences nationwide. New shows premiere via national broadcast Friday at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on DIRECTV Ch 239/AT&T U-verse Ch 1114, as well as streaming on-demand at DIRECTV NOW, directv.com, uverse.com and on smartphones and tablets, via the DIRECTV and U-verse apps.2 AUDIENCE Network’s multiple series of original and exclusive performances give music fans an intimate view of music’s most influential artists today. The network collaborates directly with musicians to create a unique show from their perspective. A groundbreaking album for Urban, RIPCORD marked the second time that one of his albums debuted simultaneously atop the all-genre charts in the U.S., Canada and Australia. He is the only male Country artist to achieve this mark, not just once, but twice. It was recently certified platinum and produced Urban’s 22nd #1 song, his 6th consecutive, with “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” Thus far, RIPCORD has produced four #1 songs including “Wasted Time,” which moved Urban to #8 on Billboard’s All-time Country Airplay Chart, “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” and “Break On Me.” It leaves Urban’s streak as the artist with the most consecutive top 10 songs on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart (38) well in tact–a streak that started in August of 2000. Urban’s career has seen a long list of groundbreaking firsts and accomplishments reserved for the music industry’s elite. In 2001, the Country Music Association honored Urban with its Horizon Award and the coveted Entertainer of the Year. Urban has gone on to win CMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year title three times. The 2015 CMA Awards brought Urban his third win for Vocal Event of the Year (“Raise ‘Em Up” featuring Eric Church). It marked the first time in history that any artist has received the award in three consecutive years. Besides his four GRAMMY Awards, Urban has won ten Country Music Association Awards, eleven Academy of Country Music Awards, a People’s Choice and an American Music Award and has been nominated for a Golden Globe. Following the worldwide, breakthrough success of RIPCORD, Urban launched the ‘ripCORD WORLD TOUR 2016.’ The tour played more than seventy shows on four continents, in front of more than a million people. Catch the “ripCORD WORLD TOUR 2017” as it lands at fairs and festivals in the U.S. Continue reading Tune-In Alert: “Keith Urban: Live From Phoenix” Debuts Friday July 14th on Audience Network→

Keith Urban Reunites With Fellow ‘American Idol’ Judge On ‘Harry’

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CAPITOL NASHVILLE artist KEITH URBAN made an appearance on the nationally syndicated “HARRY” talk show, hosted by his former fellow FOX-TV “AMERICAN Idol” judge HARRY CONNICK JR, on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22nd. URBAN played a round of “Celebrity Swipes” with CONNICK JR, chatted about life at home with NICOLE KIDMAN and their two daughters, and played a little music together. Check out the “Celebrity Swipes” segment here, conversation clips here and here, and some of URBAN and CONNICK JR’s jam session here and here.

KEITH URBAN, NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS AND MORE JOIN NCAA MARCH MADNESS MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP

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KEITH URBAN AND SPECIAL GUESTS BLINK-182, CAPITAL CITIES, GROUPLOVE, LEON BRIDGES, AND NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS ADDED TO THE 2017 NCAA MARCH MADNESS MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP IN PHOENIX MARCH 31-APRIL 2 Artists Join Previously Announced Acts Aerosmith, The Chainsmokers, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Phoenix, AZ — March 23, 2017 —  Today the NCAA and Turner Live Events, alongside official NCAA Corporate Champions AT&T, Coca-Cola, and Capital One have announced additional superstar artists for the 2017 NCAA March Madness Music Festival in conjunction with the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four.  The free, three-day celebration taking place March 31-April 2 is open to the public at Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix. On Friday, March 31 four time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban will take the stage as the AT&T Block Party headliner. On Saturday, April 1 chart-topping, indie-pop band Grouplove, Grammy-nominated recording artist Leon Bridges, and Grammy-nominated pop duo Capital Cities will perform at Coca-Cola Music, joining previously announced Grammy Award-winning headliner, The Chainsmokers. On Sunday, April 2 soul rock outfit Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats will open the final day of the festival at the Capital One JamFest, later followed by iconic Grammy Award-winning alt rock band Blink-182. They join previously announced Grammy Award-winning hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and headlining rock legend Grammy Award winners Aerosmith at the Capital One JamFest. Fans can also watch a selection of the weekend’s concerts being live streamed on ncaa.com, bleacherreport.com, and the official NCAA YouTube channel.  To stay up to date, fans can visit ncaa.com/finalfour, follow @FinalFour on Twitter, and download the Final Four app at ncaa.com/mffapp. This is a non-ticketed event open to the public on a first-come basis featuring the following events: Friday, March 31-AT&T Block Party Keith Urban Additional highlights to be announced Performances from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain Standard Time Saturday, April 1 – Coca-Cola Music Live broadcast of the first semifinal gameat Margaret T. Hance Park The Chainsmokers Grouplove Capital Cities Leon Bridges Performances from 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time Sunday, April 2 – Capital One JamFest® Aerosmith Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Blink-182 Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Performances from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain Standard Time Capital One cardholders can take advantage of a preferred entry lane The NCAA March Madness Music Festival has brought one-of-a-kind concert experiences to over 150,000 music fans each year. In 2016, Kendrick Lamar, Maroon 5, Fall Out Boy, Twenty One Pilots, Aloe Blacc, Lukas Graham, Flo Rida, Panic! At the Disco, Pitbull and Jason Derulo performed at the festival in Houston. Additional top-tier performers who have helped celebrate Final Four weekend throughout the years include Rihanna, Imagine Dragons, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Weezer, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Jason Aldean, fun., Tim McGraw, The Killers, LL Cool J, Sting, Dave Matthews Band, Muse, Kings of Leon, Jimmy Buffett, KISS, The Black Keys, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift among many others.  The NCAA March Madness Music Festival is an activation extension of the NCAA’s Corporate Champions and Partners marketing program, which Turner Sports and CBS Sports license and collaborate on as part of an agreement with the NCAA through Continue reading KEITH URBAN, NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS AND MORE JOIN NCAA MARCH MADNESS MUSIC FESTIVAL LINEUP→

Keith Urban Announced As 2016 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award Recipient

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Keith Urban on Country Music News Blog!

Keith Urban Announced As 2016 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award Recipient (Nashville, Tenn. – Dec. 14, 2015) – The Country Radio Broadcasters have announced Keith Urban as the recipient of the 2016 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award, to be presented during the opening ceremonies of Country Radio Seminar on Feb. 8, 2016. Last year’s Artist Humanitarian Award recipient, Lady Antebellum, will be on hand to present Urban with this year’s award. The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board to honor Country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career. CRS Executive Director, Bill Mayne comments, “Keith Urban is a true humanitarian who gives out of love, passion, spirit, and generosity. It’s been an honor to witness quietly from the sidelines, the amount of time, talent, and passion that Keith has selflessly given over his life and career. The impact and reach of his generosity has effected so many and is so broad in scope and depth – his is a bar of humanitarian effort, that we all can be inspired by!” Over the years, Urban has been a strong supporter of numerous benefit concerts, including the annual “All For The Hall” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum benefit concerts, which has raised nearly $3 million in proceeds.  In addition, he’s been and remains a supporter of The Grammy in the Schools program, Mr. Holland’s Opus Fund and was recently named the first Ambassador of the CMA Foundation. He is a continued supporter of the “Make A Wish” Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As an advisory board member at St. Jude, Urban has visited the hospital and produces a calendar each year with all net proceeds going to St. Jude. Since their inception in 2003, these calendars have raised more than $850,000 for the life-saving mission of the hospital. Following the 2010 Nashville flood, he was very active in the relief efforts and participated in the re-opening of the Grand Ole Opry House, Marty Stuart’s “Late Night Jam,” GAC and Vince Gill telethons; all to raise funds for flood relief. Additionally, he has supported our nation’s troops and the Navy SEALS Foundation. Urban donated to the foundation his share of artist and publishing royalties from his song “For You,” which reached a total of $300,000. He was also the first Ambassador for the CMA Foundation’s Education Program and has donated from his line, URBAN guitars, to five Music Education Matters partner programs across the country, including programs in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City and San Francisco. He’s also donated URBAN guitars to the Grammy Foundation and its MusiCares program, as well as donating proceeds from the guitars to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to keep musical instruments in schools. Past recipients of the Artist Humanitarian Award have included Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Reba, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Charlie Daniels, among others. For more Continue reading Keith Urban Announced As 2016 CRS Artist Humanitarian Award Recipient→