Keith Urban is a Grammy Award-winning Australian-American country music icon known for his skills as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His impressive career boasts numerous accolades, including fifteen Academy of Country Music Awards, thirteen CMA Awards, and six ARIA Music Awards. Urban's musical talents extend to film, evidenced by his Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award nominations for "For You," featured in the film Act of Valor.
October 1967: Early Life and Musical Influences
At the age of two, Urban's family relocated to Caboolture, Queensland, Australia. By the time he was four, his interest in music began to blossom, leading him to receive a ukulele. At six, he picked up the guitar, influenced by his parents' love for country music.
October 1967: Birth of Keith Urban
Keith Lionel Urban was born in Whangārei, New Zealand in October 1967.
1983: Television Debut and Early Career
In 1983, a young Keith Urban took the stage on the Australian talent show "New Faces." A few years later, he began establishing himself in the Australian country music scene, frequenting shows like "Reg Lindsay Country Homestead TV Program" and "Mike McClellan's Music Program." He also showcased his talent through duets with Brisbane-based singer Jenny Wilson, even clinching a Golden Guitar award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
1990: Signing with EMI and Debut Album
In 1990, Urban secured a record deal with EMI in Australia and released his debut, self-titled album. This period also saw him contribute to "Breaking Ground – New Directions in Country Music," a compilation album nominated for Best Country Album at the 1991 ARIA Awards.
1991: Self-Titled Debut and Australian Success
Keith Urban released his debut album in 1991, making a mark with four charting singles in Australia. This success paved the way for his move to the United States the following year.
1991: ARIA Award Nomination and Collaboration
Urban's contribution to the compilation album "Breaking Ground – New Directions in Country Music" earned him a nomination for the 1991 ARIA Award for Best Country Album. In a step outside his usual genre, he lent his vocals to INXS's single "Shining Star."
1992: Move to Nashville
In a pivotal career move, Urban relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, the heart of the country music scene. This relocation marked the beginning of his journey to conquer the American music industry.
1993: Touring with Slim Dusty
Urban embarked on a tour with country music legend Slim Dusty, serving as his backup act. This collaboration marked a significant point in Urban's career, exposing him to a wider audience and allowing him to work closely with an established artist.
1994: Continued Collaboration with Slim Dusty
Urban continued his touring and collaboration with Slim Dusty, further solidifying his presence in the Australian country music scene and learning from one of its icons.
1995: Songwriting Collaboration with Toby Keith
Urban co-wrote the song "Jesus Gets Jealous of Santa Claus" with Vernon Rust, which was featured on Toby Keith's 1995 album "Christmas to Christmas." This marked a significant step in his songwriting career, collaborating with an established country star.
1996: Songwriting and Session Work
Urban continued to make his mark as a songwriter, co-writing 4 Runner's 1996 single "That Was Him (This Is Now)." He also showcased his musical versatility by playing guitar on Garth Brooks' album "Double Live."
1997: Formation of The Ranch and Debut Album
Teaming up with drummer Peter Clarke and bassist Jerry Flowers, Urban formed the band "The Ranch." The trio signed with Capitol Records Nashville, releasing their self-titled debut album that same year. Their singles "Walkin' the Country" and "Just Some Love" gained traction, earning spots on the Hot Country Songs charts.
1998: Seeking Treatment at Cumberland Heights
In 1998, Keith Urban checked into Cumberland Heights, a treatment center in Nashville, for substance abuse treatment.
1998: Radney Foster Releases "Raining on Sunday"
In 1998, country artist Radney Foster released "Raining on Sunday" as a single from his album "See What You Want to See." This song would later be covered by Keith Urban for his album "Golden Road."
1999: American Debut Album and Chart Success
Under the guidance of session pianist Matt Rollings, Urban released his self-titled American debut album. This release proved to be a turning point, with the singles "It's a Love Thing" and "Your Everything" achieving considerable chart success. Notably, "Your Everything" made him the first male New Zealander to break into the Top 10 of the US country charts.
1999: American Breakthrough with "Keith Urban"
Urban's self-titled American debut album, released in 1999, marked a pivotal moment in his career. The album achieved platinum certification and delivered his inaugural number one hit on the Hot Country Songs chart with "But for the Grace of God."
2000: The Kinleys' "I'm In" Charts
The Kinleys, a country duo, had a Top 40 hit with their version of the song "I'm In" in 2000. Keith Urban would later cover this song, taking it to number two on the charts.
2001: Chart-Topping Success and Industry Recognition
Urban's success reached new heights with "But for the Grace of God," a song penned by The Go-Gos' Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin, becoming his first number one hit on the US country charts. His talent and rising popularity earned him accolades such as 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 single from his album "Golden Road." The song became a huge hit, spending six weeks at number one on the charts.
2002: Release of "Golden Road" and Decade-Defining Hit
Urban's second American album, "Golden Road," released in 2002, further propelled his career. It featured "Somebody Like You," a song that would later be recognized by Billboard as the biggest country hit of the 2000s. This album solidified his status as a major force in country music.
July 2004: "You Look Good in My Shirt" Chart Debut
Though not officially released as a single, "You Look Good in My Shirt" from the album "Golden Road" debuted on the country charts at number 60 in July 2004, becoming a fan favorite.
2004: Tribute Performance for Slim Dusty
In 2004, Keith Urban paid tribute to the late Australian country singer Slim Dusty by performing "Lights on the Hill" at a concert in Tamworth. Urban had previously written songs for and covered Slim Dusty's work.
2004: Release of "Be Here"
In 2004, Urban released "Be Here," his third American album, which became his highest-selling record to date, reaching 4x Platinum certification. This accomplishment underscored his widespread appeal and solidified his place at the top of the country music scene.
January 2005: Meeting Nicole Kidman
Keith Urban met actress Nicole Kidman at the G'Day LA event in Hollywood in January 2005.
September 2005: "Golden Road" Certified Triple Platinum
Keith Urban's album "Golden Road" achieved triple-platinum status in September 2005, marking the sale of three million copies. The album featured hit singles like "You'll Think of Me" and "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me."
2005: Grammy Award for "You'll Think of Me"
Keith Urban won a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his song "You'll Think of Me" in 2005. The song was a major hit from his album "Golden Road."
June 2006: Marriage to Nicole Kidman
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman wed in June 2006 at the Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel in Sydney, Australia.
August 2006: Record Debut for "Once in a Lifetime"
Keith Urban's single "Once in a Lifetime" made a notable debut at No. 17 on the Hot Country Songs chart in August 2006, setting a record for the highest debut at that time.
October 2006: Entering Rehab
In October 2006, Keith Urban checked into the Betty Ford Center in California for substance abuse treatment, expressing regret for the impact of his addiction.
2006: Release of "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing" and Grammy Win
Urban released "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing" in 2006. The album featured hit singles such as "Once in a Lifetime" and the Grammy Award-winning song "Stupid Boy." This Grammy win marked a high point in his career, signifying his artistry had reached new levels of recognition.
January 2007: Completion of Rehab and Tour Announcement
Keith Urban announced in January 2007 that he had completed rehab and planned to tour in support of his album "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing."
February 2007: Lawsuit over Domain Name
In February 2007, Keith Urban filed a lawsuit against a New Jersey painter with the same name who owned the domain name "KeithUrban.com." The lawsuit was settled in favor of the painter.
November 2007: Release of "Greatest Hits: 18 Kids"
On November 20, 2007, Urban released his first greatest hits album, titled "Greatest Hits: 18 Kids." This compilation featured his most popular songs and included two new tracks: "Got It Right This Time (The Celebration)" and a cover of "Romeo's Tune."
2007: Release of "Greatest Hits: 18 Kids"
As a testament to his success, Urban released a greatest hits compilation album, "Greatest Hits: 18 Kids," in late 2007. The album encapsulated his most popular songs up to that point in his career.
January 2008: Announcement of First Child
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban announced they were expecting their first child together in January 2008.
January 2008: "Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride World Tour"
Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood embarked on a joint tour, "Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride World Tour," in January 2008.
May 2008: Debut of "A New Sunshine"
Keith Urban performed his new song "A New Sunshine" for the first time at the Grand Ole Opry in May 2008. He also re-recorded his song "You Look Good in My Shirt" that same month and released it as a single in June.
2008: Chart Success and Collaborations
By 2008, Urban had achieved a significant milestone: 18 of his singles had reached the number one spot on the US Hot Country Songs chart. Beyond his solo accomplishments, Urban has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, spanning from pop stars like Pink, Nelly Furtado, Jason Derulo, and Julia Michaels to country icons like Dolly Parton, The Chicks, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Eric Church, and Reba McEntire.
2008: "That's When" Excluded from Original "Fearless" Album
"That's When," the song featuring Keith Urban on Taylor Swift's re-recorded album, was originally excluded from the 2008 release of "Fearless."
January 2009: "Start a Band" Reaches Number 1
Keith Urban's collaboration with Brad Paisley on the song "Start a Band" reached the top of the charts in January 2009. This song was featured on Paisley's album "Play."
March 2009: Release of "Defying Gravity" and "Kiss a Girl"
On March 31, 2009, Keith Urban's fifth studio album, "Defying Gravity," was released. That same month, he released the single "Kiss a Girl." He performed the song on the finale of American Idol season 8 with eventual winner, Kris Allen.
March 2009: Release of "Defying Gravity"
Urban released his sixth studio album, "Defying Gravity," in March 2009. The album showcased his evolving musical style and featured a mix of rock and country influences.
June 2009: Filming of "Only You Can Love Me This Way" Video
Keith Urban recorded a live performance of his song "Only You Can Love Me This Way" at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 27, 2009, to create a music video.
May 2010: Begins Work on "Get Closer"
Keith Urban started the recording process for his album "Get Closer" in May 2010, documenting the process on his website. The album was later released on November 16, 2010.
November 2010: Release of "Get Closer"
Continuing his musical journey, Urban released his seventh studio album, "Get Closer," in November 2010. The album further solidified his standing in the country music world.
December 2010: Birth of Second Daughter
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman welcomed their second daughter, Faith Margaret Kidman Urban, via gestational surrogacy in December 2010.
November 2011: Urban Joins "The Voice" Australia as Coach
Keith Urban was confirmed as a vocal coach for the Australian version of "The Voice" alongside Seal, Joel Madden, and Delta Goodrem in November 2011.
April 2012: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry
Vince Gill invited Keith Urban to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry in April 2012 at the We're All for the Hall benefit concert, which Urban organized. He was formally inducted on April 21, 2012.
September 2012: American Idol Judge Announcement
In September 2012, Fox announced Keith Urban would be a judge on season 12 of American Idol, joining Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Nicki Minaj, replacing Steven Tyler.
September 2012: Urban Exits "The Voice" Australia
Keith Urban announced his departure from "The Voice" Australia after the first season in September 2012 and was replaced by Ricky Martin.
2012: "For You" Featured in "Act of Valor"
Keith Urban's song "For You" was selected as the theme song for the action film "Act of Valor," released in 2012. The song was included on the movie's soundtrack and performed well on the country charts, peaking at number six.
May 2013: Release of "Little Bit of Everything"
In May 2013, Keith Urban released "Little Bit of Everything," the first single from his upcoming album "Fuse."
July 2013: Debut of "Little Bit of Everything" Music Video
The official music video for "Little Bit Of Everything" was released on VEVO in July 2013.
August 2013: Return to American Idol Season 13
Keith Urban returned as a judge for season 13 of American Idol in August 2013, alongside Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr.
September 2013: Release of "Fuse" Album
Keith Urban's eighth studio album, "Fuse," was released in September 2013, featuring a collaborative production process with ten different producers.
September 2013: Release of "Fuse"
Urban's eighth studio album, "Fuse," hit the shelves in September 2013. This release was notable for its diverse sound, incorporating elements of pop, rock, and electronic music into his country foundation. It yielded several number-one hits on the Country Airplay chart.
October 2013: Signature Guitar Launch with HSN
Keith Urban announced the launch of his signature guitars and accessories on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) in October 2013, resulting in 42,000 sales within six months.
October 2013: Coaching, Judging, and Signature Instruments
Urban took on the role of coach for the Australian version of "The Voice" and served as a judge on "American Idol," sharing his expertise and mentoring aspiring artists. Expanding his influence in the music world, he launched his signature line of guitars and accessories in October 2013.
December 2013: "We Were Us" Tops Country Charts
"We Were Us," a duet with Miranda Lambert from the album "Fuse," reached number one on the Country Airplay chart in December 2013.
2013: Collaboration on "Highway Don't Care"
Keith Urban played guitar on Tim McGraw's 2013 single "Highway Don't Care," which also featured Taylor Swift on vocals. The song was included on McGraw's album "Two Lanes of Freedom."
January 2014: Release of "Cop Car"
Keith Urban released "Cop Car," the third single from his album "Fuse," in January 2014.
June 2014: Confirmed Judge for American Idol Season 14
Fox announced in June 2014 that Keith Urban would continue as a judge on American Idol for season 14.
June 2014: Release of "Somewhere in My Car"
In June 2014, Keith Urban released "Somewhere in My Car," the fourth single from his album "Fuse."
January 2015: Release of "Raise 'Em Up"
Keith Urban released "Raise 'Em Up," a duet with Eric Church, as the fifth single from his album "Fuse" in January 2015.
May 2015: "Raise 'Em Up" Hits Number One
"Raise 'Em Up," Keith Urban's duet with Eric Church, reached number 1 on Country Airplay in May 2015.
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 upcoming album "Ripcord."
June 2015: Release of "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16"
The first single from Urban's upcoming album, "Ripcord," "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16" was released in June 2015. This catchy and introspective song offered a glimpse into the themes and sounds explored on the album.
September 2015: "Golden Road" Celebrates Triple Platinum
Keith Urban's third studio album, "Golden Road," celebrated its tenth anniversary and was certified triple platinum in September 2015 for selling three million copies.
October 2015: Release of "Break on Me"
Keith Urban released "Break on Me" in October 2015, after teasing it earlier that month. It went on to reach number one on the Country Airplay chart.
2016: American Idol Season 15 Judge
Keith Urban returned as a judge for the 15th season of American Idol in 2016.
2016: Urban Performs in CMA Awards Medley
Keith Urban was selected as one of 30 artists to perform in "Forever Country," a medley of country classics, at the 50th annual CMA Awards in 2016.
November 2017: Release of "Female"
Keith Urban released "Female" in November 2017, a song inspired by the Harvey Weinstein scandal and dedicated to the women in his life.
August 2018: "Coming Home" Tops Country Chart
"Coming Home," featuring Julia Michaels, reached number one on the Mediabase Country Chart on August 5, 2018.
2018: Release of "Graffiti U"
Urban's tenth studio album, "Graffiti U," arrived in 2018. The album demonstrated his continuous evolution as a musician, experimenting with different sounds and collaborations while staying true to his country roots. It included the Top 10 hit "Coming Home."
May 2019: Release of "We Were"
Keith Urban released "We Were," a single co-written with Eric Church, in May 2019.
November 2019: Urban Performs at Grey Cup Halftime Show
Keith Urban performed during the halftime show at the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup championship in Calgary in November 2019.
February 2020: Release of "God Whispered Your Name"
Keith Urban released "God Whispered Your Name," co-written with Chris August, to country radio in February 2020.
May 2020: Urban Hosts Drive-In Concert for Medical Workers
Keith Urban hosted a drive-in concert for medical workers at the Stardust Drive-In movie theatre, about 60 km east of Nashville, Tennessee, in May 2020.
August 2020: Release of "Change Your Mind"
Keith Urban released "Change Your Mind" in August 2020.
September 2020: Release of "The Speed of Now Part 1"
Keith Urban's eleventh studio album, "The Speed of Now Part 1," was released on September 18, 2020.
December 2020: Urban Named One of Rolling Stone Australia's "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time"
Keith Urban was listed at number 29 in Rolling Stone Australia's "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time" issue in December 2020.
2020: Appointment as Officer of the Order of Australia
Keith Urban was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia in 2020 for his contributions to the performing arts and his charitable work.
2020: Release of "The Speed of Now Part 1"
In 2020, Urban released "The Speed of Now Part 1," his eleventh studio album. This record featured collaborations with artists from various genres, including the global hit "One Too Many" with Pink. The album showcased his ability to transcend genre boundaries while maintaining his country music core.
2020: Featured in "Slim and I" Documentary
In 2020, Keith Urban was featured in the Australian documentary "Slim and I," discussing the impact of Slim Dusty and Joy McKean on his life, and performing a cover of "Lights on the Hill."
April 2021: Urban Featured on Taylor Swift's Re-Recorded Album
Keith Urban was featured on Taylor Swift's re-recorded album "Fearless (Taylor's Version)" on the track "That's When," released in April 2021.
August 2021: Release of "Wild Hearts"
Keith Urban released the single "Wild Hearts" in August 2021.
March 2022: Release of "Nightfalls"
In March 2022, Keith Urban released the single "Nightfalls."
June 2022: The Speed of Now World Tour Begins
Keith Urban embarked on his headlining "The Speed of Now World Tour" in June 2022, with Ingrid Andress as his opening act.
July 2022: Release of "Brown Eyes Baby"
Keith Urban released "Brown Eyes Baby," co-written with Morgan Wallen, in July 2022.
October 2022: Urban Announces Departure from "The Voice" Australia
Keith Urban announced he would not return to "The Voice" Australia for the twelfth season in 2023 due to his upcoming tour.
October 2022: Release of "Street Called Main"
Keith Urban released the single "Street Called Main" in October 2022.
2023: Urban's Upcoming Tour and Absence from "The Voice"
Keith Urban will embark on a tour in 2023, leading to his absence from the twelfth season of "The Voice" Australia.
2023: Ranked Among Rolling Stone's Greatest Guitarists
Rolling Stone magazine ranked Keith Urban as the 241st greatest guitarist of all time in 2023.
2024: Release of "Straight Line" and "Messed Up as Me"; Upcoming Album Announcement
In 2024, Keith Urban released the singles "Straight Line" and "Messed Up as Me" and announced the upcoming release of his twelfth studio album.