Early Life and Family
Keith Lionel Urban was born on October 26, 1967, in Whangārei, New Zealand. He is the youngest son of Marienne and Robert "Bob" Urban. At the age of two, his family moved to Caboolture, Queensland, Australia. Urban showed an early interest in music, receiving a ukulele at age four and starting to play the guitar at age six. His father, who owned a convenience store, advertised for a guitar teacher in his shop, leading Keith Urban to take lessons from Sue McCarthy. Keith Urban music influences came from his parents, who enjoyed country music, and he was particularly inspired by rock guitarists Mark Knopfler and Lindsey Buckingham.
Career Beginnings
In 1983, Keith Urban gained early attention as a contestant on the Australian TV talent show "New Faces". He began making strides in the Australian country music scene, performing on TV programs such as the Reg Lindsay Country Homestead TV Program and Mike McClellan's Music Program. Keith Urban was part of a band called 'Kids Country,' which performed during school holidays and made appearances on various TV shows.
Move to the United States and Early Success
Keith Urban released his self-titled debut album in 1991 in Australia, which charted four singles. He moved to the United States in 1992 and formed the band The Ranch, which released one studio album on Capitol Nashville. Keith Urban made his solo American debut in 1999 with a second self-titled album, which was certified platinum in the US and included his first number one hit on the Hot Country Songs chart, "But for the Grace of God."
Rise to Fame
Keith Urban second Capitol album, "Golden Road" (2002), included the hit single "Somebody Like You," which was named the biggest country hit of the 2000s by Billboard. The album's fourth single, "You'll Think of Me," featuring his nephew Rory Gilliatte, earned Urban his first Grammy Award. His third American album, "Be Here" (2004), became his highest-selling album, achieving a 4× Platinum certification.
In 2006, Keith Urban released "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing", which featured "Stupid Boy," his second Grammy-winning song. He followed this with a greatest hits album, "Greatest Hits: 18 Kids", in late 2007. Urban continued his success with "Defying Gravity" (2009) and "Get Closer" (2010).
Later Career and Achievements
Keith Urban 2013 album, "Fuse", produced four number one hits on the Country Airplay chart. His 2015 album, "Ripcord", featured several number one singles, including "Blue Ain't Your Color," which became his longest-reigning number one on the Hot Country Songs chart, spending 12 weeks at the top. His 2018 album, "Graffiti U", included the Top 10 hit "Coming Home." His 2020 album, "The Speed of Now Part 1", featured hits like "One Too Many" with Pink and other top ten hits.
Television and Business Ventures
Keith Urban served as a coach on the Australian version of "The Voice" and a judge on "American Idol". In October 2013, he launched his own line of guitars and accessories.
Personal Life
Keith Urban met Australian actress Nicole Kidman in January 2005 at a Hollywood event promoting Australia. They began dating six months later and married on June 25, 2006, at the Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel in Sydney. They have two daughters: Sunday Rose, born in 2008, and Faith Margaret, born in 2010 through gestational surrogacy.
Keith Urban is a dual citizen of Australia and the United States and continues to be a prominent figure in country music with numerous awards and a successful career.
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