We all know that Keith Urban knows how to handle a guitar…better than many, in fact. And his skill and success has no doubt helped inspire a new crop music talented axe-men, like Hunter Hayes and Frankie Ballard. But Keith’s the first to point out that he (and they) owe a huge debt to the guitar greats that inspired him – people like Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell and Jerry Reed. “We’re all part of the beautiful, long line of extraordinary guitar players,” he notes. “Steve Earle said it – it’s ‘Guitar Town.’ You really have to lift your game when you come to Nashville.” Though it may seem hard to believe after watching and hearing him play, Keith admits that he’s worked at his skills as a player – “No matter how good you think you are, you land in town and go, ‘Oooooh…I’ve got some work to do!’ That was definitely the case with me.”

Check out Keith’s trademark guitar work – along with his vocals and songwriting skills – on his latest hit, “Somewhere In My Car” from the album, Fuse. You can also catch his amazing guitar licks on the road, as he makes his way around the country on his Raise ‘Em Up Tour.

AUDIO: Keith Urban says he and other current guitar slingers owe a debt to the country greats who came before them. 

Keith Urban (long line of guitar players) OC: …we’re all on. :36
“We’re all part of the beautiful, long line of extraordinary guitar players. I mean, Steve Earle said it – it’s ‘Guitar Town.’ You really have to lift your game when you come to Nashville. No matter how good you think you are, you land in town and go, ‘Oooooh. I’ve got some work to do!’ That was definitely the case with me. I couldn’t – well, I could believe what they were like, because I grew up listening to them all. I mean from Chet [Atkins] to Glen Campbell and…gosh – so many of them – Jerry Reed and the list goes on and on. Great, great, great pickers. And, I mean, Hunter [Hayes] and Frankie [Ballard] are walking the same road we’re all on.”