Keith Urban is one of the biggest country stars of his generation, but things weren’t always so rosy when he first came to Nashville.
Urban moved to Music City in 1992, after releasing one album in his native Australia. He got several cuts as a writer, and in 1997 he formed the Ranch, a rock-influenced country group. They released one album for Capitol Records on April 22, 1997, and charted two singles; “Walkin’ the Country” and “Just Some Love.”
RELATED: Remember When Keith Urban Released His Debut Album?
Despite their minor chart successes, the period when he was in the Ranch marked a tough time for Urban.
“The Ranch was a mess, period, because we were in a s–t van going all over the country playing to three people. It was soul sucking to the ultimate degree,” he recalls.
Though they didn’t score any lasting success, their songs live on. The Dixie Chicks recorded “Some Days You Gotta Dance” for their Fly album (with Urban guesting on lead guitar), and Steel Magnolia revived “Homespun Love” in 2011. David Nail recorded “Desiree” in 2011, and Scotty McCreery covered “Walkin’ the Country” on his 2012 debut album.
Urban stayed signed to Capitol when the Ranch came to an end, and he released his self-titled stateside debut album in 1999, scoring four hits, including his first No. 1 hit, “But for the Grace of God.” He took home Top New Male Vocalist honors at the 2001 Academy of Country Music Awards and won the 2001 CMA Horizon Award, setting him on the road to a career as one of the best-selling and most awarded country singers of his generation.
Cute Photos of Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman That Capture Their Love
Since their chance meeting in 2005, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman have been one of the cutest couples in the spotlight. The pair were quick to get married and have kept the fire alive in their marriage for nearly 20 years. Urban and Kidman also share two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret.
What makes their relationship so special? Their undying support of one another. Despite busy jobs in high-profile industries, the two make time for one another. Which usually results in a cute photo or two.
PICTURES: See Inside Keith Urban + Nicole Kidman’s Luxurious Tennessee Farmhouse
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman were living it up in their 5,086-square-foot, 4-bedroom farmhouse in Franklin, Tenn., a rural community 30 minutes outside of Nashville. The house is beautifully well-appointed. The master bedroom features a very large walk-in closet, and the gated, 35-acre property also includes a gym, recreation rooms, an office and a three-car garage, as well as a utility barn. The couple sold their rural farmhouse in 2018 for $2.7 million.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
PICTURES: See Inside Keith Urban + Nicole Kidman’s Stunning NYC Condo
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman paid $3.5 million for an approximately 1600-square-foot, two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom condo in the upper-crust Tribeca area of Manhattan in New York City in 2020. The luxury unit is located inside of the famous clock tower building in Tribeca, which developers acquired for $160 million in 2013. The building previously housed the New York Life Insurance Company, and the developers converted the 400,000-square-foot building into luxury condos in 2018.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
Keith Urban’s 15 Best Collaborations, Ranked
Keith Urban is a Swiss army knife when it comes to collaborations. The country star’s smooth vocals elevate a song while his impeccable guitar skills add a burst of energy to any melody.
This Aussie has never shied away from collaboration, even if it means stepping outside of country music. He’s worked with artists like Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, while also joining forces with stars in pop, like Taylor Swift, Pitbull and Pink.
Here are Keith Urban’s 15 best collaborations, ranked.