Keith Urban: Everything you need to know about the 'Somebody Like You' singer

Think you know everything there is to know about the country music sensation?

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 8th Apr 2024

Keith Urban is one of the most well-known and beloved country music stars. Having worked in the music industry for almost 30 years now, he's a prolific singer-songwriter and guitarist and is often touted as being one of the leaders in the genre.

With hits like 'Making Memories Of Us', 'You'll Think Of Me' and 'Parallel Line', the award-winning artist should definitely be on your country radar - if he's not already! Here's everything you need to know about Keith Urban and his career.

Who is Keith Urban?

Keith Urban is a country music singer and musician. Having released his self-titled debut album in 1991, he then joined country band The Ranch with Peter Clarke and Jerry Flowers, who played drums and bass guitar respectively. When the band split in 1998, Keith resumed his solo career to great acclaim, releasing a second self-titled album in 1999.

How old is Keith Urban?

Keith Urban's birthday is 26th October 1967, which makes him 56-years-old at the time of writing.

Does Keith Urban write his own country music?

He certainly does! Keith is best known for his prolific work in the country music field, but he's also dabbled in sub genres country pop, country rock and also pop rock. He's also written songs for other artists, penning American Idol 2016 winner Trent Harmon's winning single, 'Falling'.

He also co-wrote Rodney Atkins' 'Yeah She Does' on his debut album 'Honesty' in 2003, wrote a track for Pat MacDonald and also wrote for Ty Herndon.

How many albums has Keith Urban made?

Having worked in the music industry for nearly 30 years, Keith has released an impressive 11 studio albums as well as four compilation albums. His self-titled debut album was released in 1991, and included singles 'I Never Work on a Sunday', 'Only You' and 'Got It Bad'.

Six years later in 1997, Keith released 'The Ranch', famous for hit 'Some Days You Gotta Dance' as well as having a cover of 'Stuck in the Middle with You'. He then made a second self-titled album called 'Keith Urban II' in 1999 with singles 'It's a Love Thing' and 'But for the Grace of God'.

Keith Urban: 'Golden Road'

This was followed by the hugely successful 'Golden Road' in 2002, featuring hits like 'Somebody Like You', 'Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me' and 'You'll Think of Me', which Keith followed with 'Be Here' in 2004 - his most successful album to date. Not only that, but it's also one of the best-selling albums in the US by an Australian artist, with songs 'Days Go By', 'Making Memories of Us' and 'Better Life'.

Keith Urban: 'Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing'

Keith's sixth album was entitled 'Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing' and released in 2006 - the same year he married actress Nicole Kidman. He went on to make 'Defying Gravity' in 2009, which was nominated for the Best Country Album Grammy Award, but lost out to Taylor Swift's 'Fearless'. The record spawned singles 'Only You Can Love Me This Way' and 'Sweet Thing', which both went to Number 1 in the US.

Keith Urban: 'Get Closer'

Just one year later, Keith released 'Get Closer', with a competition allowing his fans to choose what the cover shot would be; they chose a photo of him sat on a bed next to his guitar. Keith then took three years off, and returned in 2013 with 'Fuse', in which he collaborated with fellow country singers Miranda Lambert and Eric Church.

Keith Urban: 'Ripcord'

2016 saw the release of 'Ripcord', collaborating with American Idol winner Carrie Underwood on the hit 'The Fighter', and also joined together with Pitbull and Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers on 'Sun Don't Let Me Down'.

He then released 'Graffiti U' in 2018, featuring singles 'Female', 'Parallel Line' and 'Coming Home', which featured vocals from Julia Michaels, best known for her 2017 single 'Issues'. She also opened for Keith on his 'Graffiti U World Tour' in February 2019.

Keith Urban: 'The Speed of Now Part 1'

Keith released his eleventh studio album ‘The Speed of Now Part 1’ in September 2020, which featured singles including ‘Superman’, ‘Change Your Mind’ and ‘One Too Many’. It reached Number 1 on the US Top Country Albums chart, Number 7 on the US Billboard chart and Number 24 on the UK Albums Chart.

Prior to the release of the album, Keith hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards in September 2020, where he also performed the single ‘One Too Many’ with Pink.

When will Keith Urban release his 12th album?

Keith is anticipated to release his 12th studio album in 2024, with no official release date announced as of yet. So far this year, Keith has released the first two singles from his upcoming new album - 'Straight Line' and 'Messed Up As Me'.

This came after Keith released the single ‘Wild Hearts’ in August 2021, which reached Number 4 on the US Country Airplay chart. He also released the song 'Brown Eyed Baby' in July 2022, which was co-written by Morgan Wallen. Keith then released 'Street Called Main' later that year in October 2022.

Is Keith Urban on tour?

Not right now! In June 2022, Keith embarked on ‘The Speed of Now World Tour’, which was in support of his 2020 album ‘The Speed of Now Part 1’. The tour began in Birmingham, UK in April 2022 and ended in Melbourne, Australia in December that year.

Support acts for the tour were Ingrid Andress (for the North American dates) and Tyler Hubbard.

Take a look at some of the upcoming country tours to look forward to:

Darius Rucker

'Wagon Wheel' Country legend Darius Rucker revealed last year that he would be adding UK dates to his epic 'Starting Fires' tour in 2024! The singer kicked off his stream of UK shows in Manchester on Saturday 27th April 2024, with Darius then performing in Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, London, Leeds, Glasgow and Dublin, before wrapping in Belfast on Saturday 11th May.


Buy tickets here!

Bailey Zimmerman

Another tour for the calendar in 2024 is none other than 'Never Comin' Home' legend Bailey Zimmerman, with his 'Religiously. The. Tour'. Fresh from the news that his debut 'Religiously. The Album.' broke the record for most streamed debut country album of all time, Bailey revealed that he will be taking the album on tour in 2024, playing a stream of UK dates from Thursday 9th May - Sunday 19th May, travelling through London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast.


Buy tickets here!

Kacey Musgraves

'High Horse' superstar Kacey Musgraves is heading on her 'Deeper Well World Tour' in 2024, bringing dates to the UK from May! Starting the string of dates in Glasgow on 9th May 2024, she'll perform in Manchester and Wolverhampton, then performing a date in London on 14th May!


Buy tickets here!

Brett Young

The one and only Brett Young will be heading across the pond in May 2024 on his EU/UK tour, performing in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds and Belfast - not to mention his headline appearance at Highways Festival! Dates span from 15th-24th May 2024, with his headline Highways show taking place on Saturday 18th May.


Buy tickets here!

Highways Festival

Highways Festival is back in 2024! Exciting fans across the country, the news of the headline acts dropped on 4th December 2023 - revealing we can expect to see The Cadillac Three, Brett Young, The War And Treaty and many more take to the stage - with shows taking place at Royal Albert Hall, London, on Friday 17th & Saturday 18th May 2024! Other acts include Shane Smith & The Saints, Josh Ross and Tanner Usrey, and more!


Buy tickets here (from Friday 8th December)!

Taylor Swift

Global superstar Taylor Swift is bringing her 'Eras Tour' to the UK! If the tour name wasn't a big enough clue, the phenomenal shows will see Taylor play songs from all different 'eras' from her incredible career so far - including her country roots! Her string of UK dates begin on Friday 7th June 2024, with her playing shows throughout the whole month, before returning for a three-night stint at London's Wembley Stadium from 15th-17th August.


Buy tickets here!

Sheryl Crow

Grammy Award winning Sheryl Crow will be heading to the UK in 2024, performing four huge shows in June! Playing a headline show at The Piece Hall in Halifax on 13th June 2024, Sheryl will then play dates at Black Deer Festival in Kent (15th June), Nocturne Live in Oxfordshire (16th June) and a further headline show at Hampton Court Palace (18th June). The shows will follow the release of her highly-anticipated 11th studio album, titled 'Evolution'.


Buy tickets here!

Morgan Wallen

Record-breaking country star Morgan Wallen will be returning to the UK for another incredible show, performing as one of the headline acts at BST Hyde Park 2024. The famous London festival show will be taking place on Thursday 4th July.


Buy tickets here!

Noah Kahan

The incredible Noah Kahan is gifting us with two runs of tour dates this year, in both February AND August 2024! The 'Stick Season' star will began his first string of shows at Glasgow's OVO Hydro on Saturday 10th February, playing in Leeds, Cardiff and two shows in London, and is now set to return for another series of shows in August, which begin on Tuesday 13th in Manchester. The August shows will see him play shows in other cities including Newcastle and Birmingham, before returning to London for another two-night stint playing his incredible songs.


Buy tickets here!

The Long Road Festival 2024

August Bank Holiday 2024 will see the return of the three-day The Long Road Festival - celebrating the music, lifestyle and influences of Country! From Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th August 2024, the festival returns to Stanford Hall estate in Leicestershire with over 60 artists across five stages.


Buy tickets here!

Megan Moroney

The incredible Megan Moroney delighted country fans when she announced her UK & Europe tour dates! The 'I'm Not Pretty' singer will be heading to the UK in September 2024, beginning her string of dates in Cardiff on 4th, performing in Manchester, Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham and Cambridge - before finishing the run in London on 13th September!


Buy tickets here!

Chris Stapleton

October 2024 will see 'Tennessee Whiskey' legend Chris Stapleton head to the UK on his 'All-American Road Show' tour! The Country singer, famed for songs such as 'Daddy Doesn't Pray Anymore', 'Either Way' and 'Traveller' will playing a series of headline arena shows around the UK and Ireland, starting from 16th October 2024, including stops at Manchester's AO Arena, Glasgow's OVO Hydro, Dublin's 3Arena, Birmingham's Utilita Arena and London's The O2 - featuring special guest Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives. The tour is in celebration of the singer's latest album, 'Higher'.


Buy tickets here!

Has Keith Urban worked with Taylor Swift?

He has! Keith featured on the song ‘That’s When’ (Taylor’s Version), one of the vault tracks on Taylor Swift’s re-recorded album ‘Fearless’ (Taylor’s Version), which was released in April 2021.

LISTEN: Taylor Swift - 'That's When (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) featuring Keith Urban

Who are Keith Urban's band members?

In 2018, a fan on the community part of his site, KeithUrban.net, asked who was in Keith's band. Another fan answered, writing, 'Seth Rausch on drums, Jerry Flowers on bass guitar, Danny Rader on guitar, banjo etc, and Nathan Barlowe on the Phantom and guitar.'

Is Keith Urban left-handed?

We're not 100% sure, but here's what he's said about it. In 2009, Keith commented that he found left-handed musicians incredible, praising his fellow musician Brad Paisley in an interview.

"I can't play anything he plays 'cause it's from another planet," he said, adding, "It's literally like another language. I have really no comprehension how he approaches it — it's almost like watching a left-handed guitarist for me. It's a whole 'nother thing. It's fascinating to me."

However, many of his guitars are left-handed, and tweeted his preference for left-handed playing in November 2015.

Where is Keith Urban from?

Keith Urban was born in Whangarei, Northland in New Zealand, but the family moved to Queensland in Australia when he was young. He is a citizen of both New Zealand and the United States.

Where does Keith Urban live?

Keith Urban formerly lived in Franklin, Tennessee in the US, but in November 2018 it was reported that he and wife Nicole Kidman had sold the home. According to Variety.com, the couple own a penthouse in Sydney, a home in Beverley Hills and a duplex in New York City.

Is Keith Urban married?

He is - Keith Urban married actress Nicole Kidman on 25th June 2006, having started dating one year earlier after meeting in January 2005 at G'Day LA, an event in Hollywood to honour Australians. Whilst Nicole was born in Hawaii, her parents were Australian and the family returned to Australia when Nicole was four. She has dual citizenship of Australia and the United States.

What are Keith Urban's children's names?

Keith shares two daughters with Nicole - Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, who was born in 2008, and Faith Margaret Kidman Urban, born in 2010. He is also step-father to Nicole's two adopted children with her ex-husband, Tom Cruise; Isabella Jane and Connor Anthony.

What is Keith Urban's net worth?

According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, Keith is worth a whopping $75 million dollars.

How tall is Keith Urban?

There are discrepancies over how tall Keith Urban is, as some publications report that he stands at 5ft 10in or 178cm, whilst others report that he's 5ft 8.5 in or 174 cm tall. Until we can get Keith on the phone to check, this will have to do!

Is Keith Urban related to Karl Urban?

Despite having similar names and both being from New Zealand, Karl and Keith are not related, and Karl's management have quite often made statements confirming that they're not related.

Can I listen to Keith Urban on Absolute Radio Country?

Yes! We play hits by Keith and a whole host of country stars.

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13 of Morgan Wallen's biggest songs of all time

How to listen to Absolute Radio Country:

Listen to Absolute Radio Country on digital radio, the free Absolute Radio App, by hitting the play button on the bottom of your screen and via your smart speaker - “Play Absolute Radio Country."