A little bit rock and a lot country – that’s the mix of sounds you’ll get at a Keith Urban concert. It’s a unique experience that not many other Country Stars can create, but you know Keith makes it look easy. What you wouldn’t know about Keith, though, is that he was raised in Australia, by two parents with an obsession of American Country music. He enjoyed local success in talent shows and with his 1988 Australian debut record but ultimately decided to try his luck in Nashville. Why go so far from home? Nashville is where country stars are born and the star-to-be was ready to try out a bigger country music market.

An Australian in Nashville

If you’ve always wondered about the unique twang of Keith’s voice, that’s what happens when you grow up in Australia but move to Nashville in your early 20’s. It’s just one more reason his sound is so unique. He joined the group “The Ranch” upon arrival, but it took until 1997 for them to release a debut album. The album did well . . . but not well enough for Urban, who set out as a solo artist just a few years later.

That debut album, titled “Keith Urban” came out late in 1999. The album’s song “But for the Grace of God” became a number one hit, practically overnight. With its success and his new national status, CMA named him the “Top New Male Vocalist” in 2001. He went on to earn “Entertainer of the Year” in 2005 and won a Grammy in 2006. Turns out leaving his home country and moving to a mid-sized city in Tennessee was a good idea, after all.

Keith’s Time on TV

Keith releases albums at least every other year, sometimes more often. When he was offered the chance to judge American Idol on season 12, he didn’t let that get in the way of releasing new music. His dedication to the show and his music went on through 2016 when the show officially ended.