When you zoom out and take a look at Keith Urban‘s career, you see nothing but major success, pretty much since the beginning. He has built up quite the resume of awards, with four Grammy Awards and more than 10 CMA wins under his belt.
But when a young Urban first came to Nashville to make it, record execs had to break some pretty heavy news to him, and he was going to have to figure out how to fix it, on his own.
Keith Urban Recalls Being Told ‘You Don’t Fit In’ When He First Got to Nashville
The “Messed Up as Me” singer just released his first album in nearly four years, called High. With the release of the record, Urban stopped by the Taste of Country Nights studio to chat it up with host Evan Paul.
One of the questions we had for Urban was if he was ever asked to change his look or cut his hair when he first arrived in Nashville.
Urban said, “Early on, when I got to Nashville, ya know, it really wasn’t do this or do that, it was just really about me not fitting in.”
When Urban arrived in town, it was the late 1990s, and tight jeans, big belt buckles and mullets were the deal. Urban wasn’t really fitting in coming from Australia, where the country music scene was a little different at the time.
Did the Record Company Offer Any Advice to Urban on How to Fit In?
The short answer is no. As the singer explains, the label told him, “You’re not really fitting in, so you figure it out.” Urban chuckled and repeated it from the record label’s perspective: “You figure out why you’re not fitting in.”
25 years later, and more than 20 No. 1 songs deep, it is safe to say that Urban not only found his way in Nashville, but he paved the way for other artists like him as well.
Urban has definitely proved that he fits in. On Sept. 19, Urban took over Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville and did a free pop-up-show that drew thousands.
Keith Urban
Keith Urban
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.
Famous Albums Keith Urban Played on Before Fame
But did you know that Urban was an accomplished studio and road musician before he rose to fame as a solo artist.
He even appeared on some famous albums before he was famous himself. Discover Keith Urban’s evolution from studio musician to country star.
Gallery Credit: Nicole Taylor
Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman’s Daughters Are All Grown Up!
Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman and daughters Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret walked the red carpet at the AFI Achievement Award Gala in Hollywood on Saturday, April 27.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
Evan Paul is the host of Taste of Country Nights, a syndicated radio show heard on more than 130 country radio stations nationwide, every night from 7PM to midnight. The radio show reaches over 21 million listeners per week. He plays the best new country music and interviews today’s top stars, like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Lady A, + more!