History of Keith Urban in Timeline

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Keith Urban

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.

October 1967: Keith Urban's Birth

On October 1967, Keith Lionel Urban was born in as Keith Lionel Urbahn, on October 26, 1967, in Whangārei, New Zealand.

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: 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".

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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".

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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".

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1992: Move to Nashville

In 1992, Keith Urban moved to Nashville.

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.

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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".

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1998: Urban checks into Cumberland Heights

In 1998, Keith Urban checked into Cumberland Heights, a treatment center in Nashville, for substance abuse issues.

1998: Release of Raining on Sunday

In 2002, Keith Urban's "Raining on Sunday" reached number three, which Radney Foster had previously released as a single from his 1998 album See What You Want to See.

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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".

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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 number 18 single "It's a Love Thing" and his first number 1 hit, "But for the Grace of God".

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2001: Awards from Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association

In 2001, Keith Urban won the Top New Male Vocalist Award at the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 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.

2005: Grammy Award

In 2005, Keith Urban won the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "You'll Think of Me".

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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.

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October 2006: Urban enters Betty Ford Center for rehab

On October 19, 2006, Keith Urban checked into the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California, for rehab. On October 20, he released a statement expressing regret for the hurt caused to Nicole and his supporters, acknowledging the need to maintain vigilance in recovery.

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".

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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.

January 2008: Kidman and Urban expecting first child

In January 2008, Nicole Kidman announced that she and Keith Urban were expecting their first child together. They expressed their excitement and gratitude to share the news with fans.

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.

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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".

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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.

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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.

December 2010: Urban and Kidman welcome second daughter via surrogacy

In December 2010, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman welcomed their second daughter via gestational surrogacy at Centennial Women's Hospital in Nashville.

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.

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2016: Urban releases "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, which includes the global hit "One Too Many" with Pink.

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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.

February 2025: Urban and Kidman's home burgled

In February 2025, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's Beverly Hills home was burgled. The home was ransacked, but the family was not present at the time of the incident.

September 2025: Urban and Kidman separate; Kidman files for divorce

In September 2025, it was revealed that Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman had separated, and Kidman had filed for divorce.