As of right now, Keith Urban will still take part in a tribute to Glen Campbell, one of his heroes, on Wednesday night’s CMA Awards. (Note: last week, it was announced he had to cancel all but his single song commitments since he has developed a polyp on one of his vocal cords. He will undergo surgery later this month.) Not only is he in awe of Glen’s guitar playing, but his vocal ability, as well. “I saw him play and was just floored by how incredibly he sang,” says Keith, adding, “and his guitar playing, it’s really very impressive.” Playing clubs and events prior to his moving to Nashville, Keith would often perform a handful of Glen’s songs, including “Galveston,” but it wasn’t until he truly went through the lyrics that he realized just what it meant. “I did that song for years live, you know, when I was a kid right up until I was 20 or something or other. And somebody here in town asked me if I could write out the lyrics for it, because they wanted, you know, a copy of it,” recalls Keith. “After all these years of singing that song, it wasn’t until I sat down and wrote the lyrics out, just cried like a baby…that’s absolutely the first song that’s just completely rocked my world. It’s tragic and beautiful.” Keith will be joined by Vince Gill and Brad Paisley for the tribute.

• Keith, who is also set to perform one of his own songs as well, is nominated for both Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year. The 45th Annual CMA Awards will air live from
  Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday (November 9th) at 8pm ET on ABC.
• Keith will also be featured in the ABC special, In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville, next Tuesday (November 8th). He’ll be joined by Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Sugarland, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina in the show airing at 10pm ET.

AUDIO: Keith Urban talks about both Glen Campbell’s guitar playing and his vocal abilities.

Keith Urban (Glen Campbell’s vocal abilities) OC: …extraordinary. :15

“His vocal abilities — I saw him play and was just floored by how incredibly he sang. And his guitar playing, it’s really very impressive. And of course his work on a lot of other people’s records too is pretty extraordinary.”

AUDIO: Keith Urban says he didn’t realize just how tragic Glen Campbell’s hit, “Galveston,” was until he wrote out the lyrics to the song and listened to songwriter Jimmy Webb’s version of the song.

Keith Urban (Galveston) OC: …and beautiful. :43

“Galveston, and I did that song for years live, you know, when I was a kid right up until I was 20 or something or other. And somebody here in town asked me if I could write out the lyrics for it, because they wanted, you know, a copy of it. And after all these years of singing that song, it wasn’t until I sat down and wrote the lyrics out, just cried like a baby. Just, with all due respects to Glen, he sings it with such gusto that it, that I didn’t realize how tragic the song was, and then I did a writer’s night with Jimmy Webb, and he did it on piano, and it was just devastating. And, that’s absolutely the first song that’s just completely rocked my world. It’s tragic and beautiful.”