• KEITH URBAN JOINS NBC’S THE VOICE AS THE MEGA MENTOR THIS SEASON.

    Keith Urban is joining NBC’s The Voice as this season’s Mega Mentor. Beginning with next Monday’s (April 8th) episode, Keith will mentor the remaining artists who have made it through the battle rounds and get ready for the knockout rounds. Coaches Reba McEntire, John Legend, Chance the Rapper and Dan + Shay will choose the inner from their team to advance to the playoffs before the live shows start.

    Keith spent a lot of his own time competiting in talent competitions on TV, even when he was just nine years old. While it was a bit of a brutal experience, it made him work even harder on his chosen craft.

    “I was on a few singing talent TV shows when I was a kid, a bunch of them actually,” Keith recalls. “The first one I did I was nine-years-old and my Mom and Dad got me on to a TV show called Pot of Gold. It was a singing competition show with three judges, one of whom was just a really unfiltered, unapologetic, vicious, scathing kind of judge. (laughs) This was a long time before Simon Cowell’s template. This guy had it nailed, and at nine-years-old I was subjected to this, and I got kind of crucified by this judge. It didn’t faze me, you know? And then I went on other shows after that, but my experience with all of those was really loving good feedback, constructive feedback, even if it was something I needed to work on. I remember the judge telling me to kindly learn how to sing in tune. (laughs) I’m like, ‘Okay?!’”

    Keith has been a coach on The Voice in Australia, a mentor on NBC’s The Voice here in the States and now a Mega Mentor. He also spent several years at the judges table for “American Idol.”  The best part of this kind of job for Keith is the mentoring — helping contestants figure out what they need to work on to get better…in a nice way.

    “Just getting good advice and honest advice was something I really loved and needed, so it was a no-brainer when I got asked to do it,” he says. “The first one I got asked to do was be a coach on The Voice in Australia on their first season, and I did it. I loved it. Then I did quite a few seasons of American Idol as a judge on American Idol and loved it. So, when The Voice here in the States asked me to come and be a mentor and now a Mega Mentor, whatever that means – I feel like a Transformer – I jumped at the opportunity, because the mentoring part I particularly love. I love that the most. I love being able to try and help an artist navigate some things they’ve got to work on and try and be constructive and helpful but also do it in a supportive way. Nobody wants to get humiliated in front of people, but you do need honest advice as well, so I love that opportunity.”

    Keith previously appeared on The Voice as an advisor to Blake Shelton during Season 15 and also served as a coach in the Australian version of the competition show for Seasons 1, 10 and 11.

    Keith recently released his new single, “Messed Up As Me,” and it’s currently closing in on Top 35 on the country charts.

     

    Audio / Keith Urban talks about going on talent competition shows when he was a kid.

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    Keith Urban (The Voice Mega Mentor) 1 OC: …I’m like, ‘Okay.’ :53
    “I was on a few singing talent TV shows when I was a kid, a bunch of them actually. The first one I did I was nine-years-old and my Mom and Dad got me on to a TV show called Pot of Gold. It was a singing competition show with three judges, one of whom was just a really unfiltered, unapologetic, vicious, scathing kind of judge. (laughs) This was a long time before Simon Cowell’s template. This guy had it nailed, and at nine-years-old I was subjected to this, and I got kind of crucified by this judge. It didn’t faze me, you know? And then I went on other shows after that, but my experience with all of those was really loving good feedback, constructive feedback, even if it was something I needed to work on. I remember the judge telling me to kindly learn how to sing in tune. (laughs) I’m like, ‘Okay?!’”

    Audio / Keith Urban talks about his love of mentoring younger talent in a nice, but honest way and why he jumped at the chance to be the Mega Mentor on NBC's The Voice this season.

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    Keith Urban (The Voice Mega Mentor) 2 OC: …that opportunity. :50
    “Just getting good advice and honest advice was something I really loved and needed, so it was a no-brainer when I got asked to do it. The first one I got asked to do was be a coach on The Voice in Australia on their first season, and I did it. I loved it. Then I did quite a few seasons of American Idol as a judge on American Idol and loved it. So, when The Voice here in the States asked me to come and be a mentor and now a Mega Mentor, whatever that means – I feel like a Transformer – I jumped at the opportunity, because the mentoring part I particularly love. I love that the most. I love being able to try and help an artist navigate some things they’ve got to work on and try and be constructive and helpful but also do it in a supportive way. Nobody wants to get humiliated in front of people, but you do need honest advice as well, so I love that opportunity.”

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Eric Church, Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban

    Eric Church will headline the inaugural Field & Stream Music Fest in Winnsboro, South Carolina on October 6th. The festival will take place October 4th – 6th and feature more than 30 artists, including a second headliner, Lainey Wilson. Choir presale begins Wednesday (March 27th) at 8am ET. Public onsale begins Thursday (March 28th) at 8am ET. To learn more about the festival, go to fieldandstreammusicfest.com

    Priscilla Block‘s duet with Justin Moore — “You Me, And Whiskey,” has been certified Platinum by the R.I.A.A., and the official music video is up for “Collaborative Video of the Year” at this year’s CMT Music Awards.

    Luke Bryan, along with Chris Janson, celebrated the passing of a law — titled the ELVIS Act (Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security Act) — which protects artists from the unauthorized use of their voice, name, image and likeness created by artificial intelligence (A.I.).

     

    Keith Urban has been announced as one of the headliners for this year’s Summerfest, taking place at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater in Milwaukee on June 29th with special guests Needtobreathe and Alana Springsteen.

  • KEITH URBAN CHALLENGES HIMSELF BY STRIVING TO GET BETTER AT HIS CRAFT.

    Keith Urban is constantly striving to be a better musician, better songwriter, better performer, and making music is still extremely fascinating to him even after doing it most of his life.

    “Make new songs, make new records, put new tours together. I’ve got zero interest in acting. I’m fascinated by this, and it’s endless – playing guitar better, making better records, being in the studio, discovering things,” says Keith. “It’s endless, like it’s endless in its potential for new expression, so I just hope to God that I’m able to keep this body moving, grooving (laughs), and allowing me to do the thing I love to do, which is go out and play. That’s really it.”

    The country superstar is currently making his way up the charts with his latest single, “Messed Up As Me.”

    Audio / Keith Urban says he just wants to keep making new music.

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    Keith Urban (wants to keep making music) OC: …that’s really it. :32
    “Make new songs, make new records, put new tours together. I’ve got zero interest in acting. I’m fascinated by this, and it’s endless – playing guitar better, making better records, being in the studio, discovering things. It’s endless, like it’s endless in its potential for new expression, so I just hope to God that I’m able to keep this body moving, grooving (laughs), and allowing me to do the thing I love to do, which is go out and play. That’s really it.”

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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Kacey Musgraves, Mickey Guyton, Keith Urban

    Kacey Musgraves sat down for an in-depth interview with NBC’s Sunday Today With Willie Geist this past weekend (March 10th). She talked about making her new album, Deeper Well, coming to Nashville, the first song she ever wrote (“Notice Me”) and much more.

     

    The official music video for Mickey Guyton‘s latest song, “Woman,” will premiere Wednesday (March 13th) on CMT.

     

     

    Keith Urban gave fellow country star Lainey Wilson a ride to the airport as she kicks off her “Country’s Cool Again Tour” in Australia. In a video posted to both of their socials (see below), Lainey gets some advice from Keith about being Down Under, since he’s obviously from there. When they arrive, Keith unloads her luggage and she says, “I’m so excited to be going to your home,” and Keith says, “Honestly? I wish I could go home with you,” which he then quips could be a good title for a song.

     

     

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Kacey Musgraves, Mickey Guyton, Maddie & Tae, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan

    Kacey Musgraves made a surprise appearance and joined Zach Bryan for a duet of their massive hit, “I Remember Everything,” during the kick off date of his The Quittin’ Time Tour in Chicago.

    Mickey Guyton is set to announce this year’s CMT Music Awards on CBS Mornings on Wednesday (March 13th). The 2024 CMT Music Awards will air live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on April 7th.

    Maddie & Tae have been added to the lineup for the Voices of America Country Music Fest in West Chester, Ohio this summer. The four-day festival, which takes place August 8th – 11th, will also feature performances from headliners Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean and Ernest, as well as Brett Young, Michael Ray, Chase Matthew, Larry Fleet and others.

    Keith Urban and Luke Bryan are among the headliners at this year’s Golden Sky Music Festival in Sacramento, California this fall. The three-day festival, taking place October 18th-20th, will also feature performances by headliner Thomas Rhett, as well as Travis Denning, Kylie Morgan, Riley Green, Clint Black, Elle King, Bailey Zimmerman, Ashley McBryde and others. Go to goldenskyfestival.com for more information.

    Shania Twain is part of Mattel’s Global Role Model Barbie campaign, which is spotlighting groundbreaking women with one-of-a-kind commemorative Barbies. Viola Davis, Helen Mirren and Kylie Minogue are also being honored with these role model dolls, which, unfortunately, are not available for purchase.

    Shania Twain is in Abu Dahbi for International Women’s Day as part of Forbes Women International Women’s Day Summit.

     

     

     

  • KEITH URBAN MAKES SURPRISE APPEARANCE BUSKING AT NASHVILLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

    “You never know who will popup at BNA!”

    Keith Urban surprised travelers at Nashville’s International Airport (BNA) on Saturday (March 2nd). He performed at BNA’s Live Stage in the C Concourse Food Court for about 45 minutes with his longtime bass player Jerry Flowers and drummer Terence Clark, delighting the crowd with “Long Hot Summer,” “Somebody Like You” and his brand-new single, “Messed Up As Me,” among others.

     

    Check out the video from Nashville International Airport featuring “Messed Up As Me” below.

    Keith’s next gig is currently June 21st at the Barefoot Country Music Fest in Wildwood, New Jersey…but you never know where he’ll pop up next!

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  • KEITH URBAN RELEASES NEW SINGLE, “MESSED UP AS ME.”

    Promises made, promises kept, and more music from four-time Grammy© Award winner Keith Urban.  “Messed Up As Me,” out today, is another release from his as-of-yet, unnamed album.

    Keith, who debuted the song during CRS at The Ryman Auditorium as part of the annual Team UMG luncheon, “Most of us have been in dysfunctional relationships before, where there’s not a lot of compatibility, except for that one area where it’s so good you put up with all the rest.  A phone call or a night out and you’re right back where you shouldn’t be.”

     

    Musically there’s an unresolved quality to the song. Just like a dysfunctional relationship, it’s a cycle of always going back to what you know.  “Messed Up As Me” is produced by Keith and longtime co-producer Dann Huff, and follows last month’s release of “Straight Line.”  Both are expected to be on the superstar’s album slated for release later this year.

     

     

    Audio / Keith Urban talks about his new single, "Messed Up As Me."

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    Keith Urban (Messed Up As Me) OC: …well worth it. :38
    “‘Messed Up As Me’ is a (laughs), it’s a song about a relationship that is kind of pretty dysfunctional, pretty messy, except for one part of it and that one part of it is amazing. (laughs) In fact, that one part is so good that you figure out just putting up with all the rest that is dysfunctional, possibly toxic (laughs) and just messy. Between the two of you, that one thing is well worth it.”

    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Messed Up As Me) 1

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    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Messed Up As Me) 7

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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Reba McEntire, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Kacey Musgraves

    Reba McEntire returns as a Coach for Season 25 of The Voice tonight (February 26th) after making her red-chair debut on the show in Season 24. Check out the season premiere beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT on NBC.

     

     

    What is Keith Urban up to? He posted a cryptic message on his socials this morning (February 26th) saying, “hey…what are you doin’ right now?” The image in the post is a clock with its hands at 2:45 with

    I’M OUT TONIGHT
    AND I’M FEELIN’ LIKE
    I SHOULD CALL YOU UP
    AND MAYBE TAKE A SHOT
    THAT YOU’RE WIDE AWAKE
    AT A QUARTER TO 3

     

    Luke Bryan and his fellow American Idol judges — Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — were stunned on Sunday night (February 25th) when Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, Emmy Russell, auditioned for the popular competition show. She performed an original song about an eating disorder called “Skinny,” and all three judges sent her to Hollywood with a golden ticket.

     

    Don’t forget to catch Kacey Musgraves performing on NBC’s Saturday Night Live this Saturday (March 2nd). Actress Sydney Sweeney (Anyone But You, Euphoria, The White Lotus) will host. Check local listings for time.

     

     

     

     

  • KEITH URBAN REMEMBERS TOBY KEITH.

    During Keith Urban‘s early career, he got the chance to be the opening act on Brooks & Dunn‘s Neon Circus Tour, which also featured Montgomery Gentry on the bill, as well as Toby Keith. He loved being out on the road with those guys, and he recalls riding Toby’s tour bus when they had to make an urgent pit stop at 2am at one point.

    “The Neon Circus Tour with Brooks & Dunn – I was the opening, opening, opening act going on at, I don’t know, four in the afternoon (laughs) and you know playing my 20-minute set, and then Montgomery Gentry came out and played a set and then Toby came out and then Kix and Ronnie came out and killed it,” recalls Keith. “It was an amazing tour. I have a lot of stories from that tour. I rode on Toby’s tour bus on his 40th birthday, which was surreal, and there we are rolling down some interstate and he gets hungry at two in the morning, so we pull in to a Steak ‘n Shake, sat in the booth and ordered Steak ‘n Shake.”

    The entire tour lineup decided to make after-show stops at local bars and take over for the house band.

    “We would always do it unannounced, and it would be almost all of us – Montgomery Gentry, me, Toby, Kix and Ronnie, when they finished, we’d all end up there playing,” says Keith. “It was amazing because some of the clubs would only have six people in them because everybody’s at the concert. These people couldn’t go to the concert, so we show up, jump up and start started playing songs and then the club would fill up. And then people would have you signing all their shirts and stuff like that, and for whatever reason, I thought, ‘I’m just gonna sign Keith instead of both of my names. It’ll cut my signing time in half.’ So, I’m writing Keith (laughs) on all these shirts, and then at the end of the night, I noticed these people whose shirts are signed, and it’s like, it’s got more writing on it. And I went over and looked. Toby just started writing his name first, but he put it right in front of mine. (laughs) So, he got a full signature, and I got nothing.”

    Toby Keith passed away February 5th from his battle with stomach cancer. He was 62 years old.

     

    Audio / Keith Urban recalls being on the Brooks & Dunn Neon Circus Tour with Toby Keith and stopping for a late-night snack.

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    Keith Urban (Toby Keith) 1 OC: …Steak ‘n Shake. :35
    “The Neon Circus Tour with Brooks & Dunn – I was the opening, opening, opening act going on at, I don’t know, four in the afternoon (laughs) and you know playing my 20-minute set, and then Montgomery Gentry came out and played a set and then Toby came out and then Kix and Ronnie came out and killed it. It was an amazing tour. I have a lot of stories from that tour. I rode on Toby’s tour bus on his 40th birthday, which was surreal, and there we are rolling down some interstate and he gets hungry at two in the morning, so we pull in to a Steak ‘n Shake, sat in the booth and ordered Steak ‘n Shake.”

    Audio / Keith Urban recalls a funny story about Toby Keith when he went on tour with him on Brooks & Dunn's Neon Circus Tour.

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    Keith Urban (Toby Keith) 2 OC: …I got nothing. 1:19
    “On that tour, we started getting into the habit when we would come off stage, we would find the local honkytonk where there was a country music band playing, and we would organize all our buses to go to that line dance bar or whatever it was, and then we would get up and just take over for the house band. We would always do it unannounced, and it would be almost all of us – Montgomery Gentry, me, Toby Kix and Ronnie, when they finished, we’d all end up there playing. It was amazing because some of the clubs would only have six people in them because everybody’s at the concert. These people couldn’t go to the concert, so we show up, jump up and start started playing songs and then the club would fill up. And then people would have you signing all their shirts and stuff like that, and for whatever reason, I thought, ‘I’m just gonna sign Keith instead of both of my names. It’ll cut my signing time in half.’ So, I’m writing Keith (laughs) on all these shirts, and then at the end of the night, I noticed these people whose shirts are signed, and it’s like, it’s got more writing on it. And I went over and looked. Toby just started writing his name first, but he put it right in front of mine. (laughs) So, he got a full signature, and I got nothing.”

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Darius Rucker, Keith Urban, Mickey Guyton, Chris Stapleton, The War And Treaty

    Darius Rucker was performing in Las Vegas after the Madden Bowl — and prior to the Super Bowl — for several NFL executives and members when Miami Dolphins’ Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa jumped on stage with guitar on hand to perform the multi-platinum “Wagon Wheel.”

     

    Keith Urban will perform during this summer’s NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend, taking place July 6th-7th. The Black Keys and The Chainsmokers will also perform.

     

    Mickey Guyton performed at the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration on Saturday night (February 10th). The concert special, which aired on CBS and Paramount+, brought together musical artists and NFL players to celebrate the Big Game. Robin Thicke, Kirk Franklin, Earth, Wind & Fire, T-Pain and many others also performed.

    Chris Stapleton and The War And Treaty join an all-star lineup for a special concert event honoring the iconic Mavis Staples. Mavis Staples 85th: All-Star Birthday Concert, which takes place April 18th at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, will also feature performances by Black Pumas, Grace Potter, Hozier, Jackson Browne, Jeff Tweedy, Keb’ Mo’, Michael McDonald, Nathaniel Rateliff, Norah Jones, Robert Randolph, Taj Mahal, plus many more to be announced. Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday (February 16th) at 10am PT at http://ticketmaster.com.