Career Timeline of Keith Urban: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Keith Urban made an impact.

Keith Urban is an Australian and American country singer, songwriter, and guitarist. A highly decorated artist, he has won four Grammy Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, 13 CMA Awards, and six ARIA Music Awards. He gained further recognition for writing and performing "For You" from the film *Act of Valor*, earning nominations for Best Original Song at both the Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Awards.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1980: Contestant on New Faces

In 1980, Keith Urban was a contestant on the Australian TV talent show New Faces.

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November 1989: Release of promotional extended play

In November 1989, Keith Urban self-released a promotional extended play called Looking for a deal !!, featuring "Honky Tonk Rock", "There's a Light On", "Angry Words" and "Future Plans".

1990: Signing with EMI and debut album release

In 1990, Keith Urban signed with EMI in Australia and released his self-titled debut album.

1991: Appearance on Breaking Ground – New Directions in Country Music compilation album

In 1991, Keith Urban appeared on the compilation album Breaking Ground – New Directions in Country Music.

1991: Release of debut album

In 1991, Keith Urban released his self-titled debut album in Australia, charting four singles before moving to the United States the following year.

1993: Touring with Slim Dusty begins

In 1993, Keith Urban began touring as a backup act to Slim Dusty.

1994: Touring with Slim Dusty

In 1994, Keith Urban continued touring as a backup act to Slim Dusty.

1995: Formation of The Ranch

In 1995, Keith Urban formed a band known as The Ranch.

1996: Co-writing "That Was Him (This Is Now)"

In 1996, Keith Urban co-wrote "That Was Him (This Is Now)" for 4 Runner.

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1997: Guitar on Raybon Brothers' album and release of The Ranch's self-titled album

In 1997, Keith Urban played guitar on The Raybon Brothers' self-titled album and The Ranch released a self-titled album for Capitol Records Nashville.

1999: American solo debut with self-titled album

In 1999, Keith Urban made his solo American debut with a second eponymous album, which went platinum in the US and featured his first number one hit, "But for the Grace of God."

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1999: Release of self-titled American debut album

In 1999, Keith Urban released his self-titled American debut album, featuring the hit singles "It's a Love Thing", "Your Everything", "But for the Grace of God", and "Where the Blacktop Ends".

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July 2002: Release of 'Somebody Like You'

In July 2002, Keith Urban released "Somebody Like You" as the lead-off single from his second American album, Golden Road. The song spent six weeks at number one.

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2002: Release of 'Golden Road'

In 2002, Keith Urban released his second Capitol album Golden Road. The first single, "Somebody Like You", was named by Billboard as the biggest country hit of the 2000s decade.

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July 2004: "You Look Good in My Shirt" Charts

In July 2004, although not officially released as a single, "You Look Good in My Shirt" spent one week at number 60 on the country charts.

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2004: Performance at Tamworth tribute concert

In 2004, Keith Urban performed "Lights on the Hill" at the Tamworth tribute concert following the death of Australian country singer Slim Dusty.

2004: Release of 'Be Here'

In 2004, Keith Urban's third American album, Be Here, became his highest-selling album, being certified 4x Platinum.

September 2005: Golden Road Certified Triple Platinum

In September 2005, Keith Urban's third studio album, Golden Road, was certified triple platinum for sales of three million copies.

August 2006: Debut of 'Once in a Lifetime'

In August 2006, Keith Urban's "Once in a Lifetime" debuted at No. 17, setting a record for the highest-debuting country single on the Hot Country Songs chart at the time.

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2006: Release of 'Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing'

In 2006, Keith Urban released the album Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing, featuring the song "Once in a Lifetime" and his second Grammy Award-winning song, "Stupid Boy".

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January 2007: Urban completes rehab, announces tour

In January 2007, Keith Urban announced that he had completed rehab and planned to go on tour to promote his album, Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing.

November 2007: Release of 'Greatest Hits: 18 Kids'

On 20 November 2007, Keith Urban released his first greatest hits collection, Greatest Hits: 18 Kids, featuring top 10 hits and two new songs.

2007: Release of 'Greatest Hits: 18 Kids'

In late 2007, Keith Urban released a greatest hits package titled Greatest Hits: 18 Kids.

January 2008: "Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride World Tour"

In January 2008, Keith Urban embarked on the "Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride World Tour" with Carrie Underwood.

May 2008: Debut of A New Sunshine and rerecording of 'You Look Good in My Shirt'

In May 2008, Keith Urban debuted a new song at the Grand Ole Opry titled "A New Sunshine". Also in May 2008, Urban rerecorded "You Look Good in My Shirt" and released it as a single.

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2008: Duet with Brad Paisley and rerelease of single

In 2008, Keith Urban recorded a new version of "You Look Good in My Shirt" and released it as a single in June. He also collaborated with Brad Paisley on the single "Start a Band."

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January 2009: "Start a Band" reached number one

In January 2009, "Start a Band", a duet between Keith Urban and Brad Paisley, reached number one.

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March 2009: Release of 'Defying Gravity'

On March 2009, Keith Urban released the album Defying Gravity.

November 2010: Release of 'Get Closer'

On November 2010, Keith Urban released the album Get Closer.

September 2013: Release of album Fuse

In September 2013, Keith Urban released the album Fuse, which produced four number one hits on the Country Airplay chart.

October 2013: Introduction of signature guitar line

In October 2013, Keith Urban introduced his own signature line of guitars and accessories.

June 2015: Release of "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16"

In June 2015, Keith Urban released "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16" as the lead single from his eighth American studio album, Ripcord.

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2016: Release of "The Fighter"

In 2016, Keith Urban released "The Fighter", a track reportedly inspired by his wife, Nicole Kidman.

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2018: Release of 'Graffiti U'

In 2018, Keith Urban released his tenth album Graffiti U, which includes the Top 10 hit "Coming Home".

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2020: Release of 'The Speed of Now Part 1'

In 2020, Keith Urban released his eleventh album The Speed of Now Part 1, featuring the global hit "One Too Many" with Pink.

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2020: Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia

In 2020, Keith Urban was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to the performing arts and charitable organizations.