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 acclaimed Australian-American country singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has garnered significant recognition throughout his career, including four Grammy Awards, fifteen Academy of Country Music Awards, thirteen CMA Awards, and six ARIA Music Awards. Beyond his singing success, Urban also wrote and performed "For You" for the film Act of Valor, earning nominations for Best Original Song at both the Golden Globe Awards and the Critics' Choice Awards.
1980: Contestant on New Faces
In 1980, Keith Urban was a contestant on the Australian TV talent show New Faces.
November 1989: Self-Release of Promotional EP
In November 1989, Keith Urban self-released a promotional extended play titled Looking for a deal !!, featuring tracks like "Honky Tonk Rock" and "There's a Light On".
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: Nomination for ARIA Award
In 1991, Keith Urban appeared on the compilation album Breaking Ground – New Directions in Country Music, which was nominated for the ARIA Award for Best Country Album. He also sang backing vocals on INXS's 1991 single "Shining Star".
1991: Release of Debut Album
In 1991, Keith Urban released his self-titled debut album in Australia, which charted four singles. He also sang backing vocals on INXS's 1991 single "Shining Star".
1993: Touring with Slim Dusty
From 1993 to 1994, Keith Urban toured as a backup act for Slim Dusty.
1994: Touring with Slim Dusty
From 1993 to 1994, Keith Urban toured as a backup act for Slim Dusty. In the mid-1990s, both people recorded a re-worked duet of Dusty's classic "Lights on the Hill".
1995: Formation of The Ranch
In 1995, Keith Urban formed a band known as The Ranch.
1996: Co-wrote a song
In 1996, Keith Urban co-wrote "That Was Him (This Is Now)" for 4 Runner.
1997: The Ranch album release
In 1997, The Ranch released a self-titled album for Capitol Records Nashville and charted two singles on the Hot Country Songs charts that year: "Walkin' the Country" and "Just Some Love".
1999: Solo American Debut
In 1999, Keith Urban made his solo American debut with a second eponymous album, which was certified platinum in the US and featured his first number one hit, "But for the Grace of God".
1999: Release of Self-Titled American Debut Album
In 1999, Keith Urban released his self-titled American debut album, featuring the number 18 single "It's a Love Thing" and his first number 1 hit, "But for the Grace of God".
July 2002: Release of "Somebody Like You"
In July 2002, Keith Urban released "Somebody Like You", the lead-off single from his album Golden Road, which spent six weeks at number one.
2002: Release of Golden Road
In 2002, Keith Urban released his second Capitol album, Golden Road. The album's first single, "Somebody Like You", was named by Billboard as the biggest country hit of the 2000s decade.
July 2004: "You Look Good in My Shirt" Charts
In July 2004, "You Look Good in My Shirt" spent one week at number 60 on the country charts, although it was not officially released.
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 released his third American album, Be Here, which became his highest-selling album, being certified 4× Platinum.
September 2005: Golden Road Certified Triple Platinum
On September 22, 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"
On August 21, 2006, Keith Urban's "Once in a Lifetime" debuted at No. 17, setting a new record for the highest-debuting country single at that time.
2006: Release of Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing
In 2006, Keith Urban released Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing, which included "Once in a Lifetime" and his second Grammy Award-winning song, "Stupid Boy".
January 2007: Urban completes rehab and plans tour
On January 18, 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 November 20, 2007, Keith Urban released his first greatest hits collection, Greatest Hits: 18 Kids.
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 Begins
In January 2008, Keith Urban began the "Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride World Tour" with Carrie Underwood.
May 2008: Debut of "A New Sunshine"
In May 2008, Keith Urban debuted a new song titled "A New Sunshine" at the Grand Ole Opry. That same month, Urban recorded a new version of "You Look Good in My Shirt" and released it as a single in June of that year.
2008: Release of "You Look Good in My Shirt"
In 2008, Keith Urban released "You Look Good in My Shirt" as a single. He also collaborated with Brad Paisley on "Start a Band".
January 2009: "Start a Band" Reaches No. 1
In January 2009, Keith Urban's collaboration with Brad Paisley on the song "Start a Band" reached No. 1. This song was included on Paisley's album Play.
March 2009: Release of Defying Gravity
On March 31, 2009, Keith Urban released the album Defying Gravity.
November 2010: Release of Get Closer
On November 16, 2010, Keith Urban released the album Get Closer.
September 2013: Release of Fuse
In September 2013, Keith Urban released the album Fuse, which produced four more number ones on the Country Airplay chart.
October 2013: Introduction of Signature Guitars and Accessories
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 of his eighth American studio album, Ripcord.
2016: Urban releases "The Fighter"
In 2016, Keith Urban released "The Fighter", a track reportedly inspired by his wife, Nicole Kidman.
2018: Release of Graffiti U
In 2018, Keith Urban released his tenth album, Graffiti U, which includes the Top 10 hit "Coming Home".
2020: Release of The Speed of Now Part 1
In 2020, Keith Urban released his eleventh album, The Speed of Now Part 1, which includes the global hit "One Too Many" with Pink.
2020: Urban appointed Officer of the Order of Australia
In 2020, Keith Urban was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia at the Australia Day Honours for his distinguished service to the performing arts and charitable organizations.
2023: Urban named one of the greatest guitarists by Rolling Stone
In 2023, Rolling Stone named Keith Urban the 241st greatest guitarist of all time.
Mentioned in this timeline
Taylor Swift is an American singer-songwriter recognized for her significant...
Morgan Wallen is an American country music singer who gained...
California is a U S state on the Pacific Coast...
New Zealand is an island country located in the southwestern...
Christmas is an annual festival celebrated on December th commemorating...
Steven Tyler born Steven Victor Tallarico is an iconic American...
Trending
David Joseph Simon is an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball at Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne.
The Davis Cup organized by the International Tennis Federation ITF is the premier international team event in men's tennis and...
6 months ago Edward Jones Expands Roster, Maintains Growth Target; Advisors Qualify for Recognition
Jon Gruden is a former American football coach and media personality He achieved significant success as the head coach of...
Lauralee Bell is an American actress recognized for her role as Christine Blair in the daytime soap operas The Young...
3 hours ago Oregon Ducks' Defense Favored in USC Game; Betting Line Movement and Predictions
Popular
XXXTentacion born Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy was a controversial yet...
William Franklin Graham III commonly known as Franklin Graham is...
Cristiano Ronaldo often nicknamed CR is a Portuguese professional footballer...
Candace Owens is an American conservative political commentator and author...
Michelle Obama is an American attorney author and former First...
Marjorie Taylor Greene known as MTG is a far-right American...