Condolences go out to Keith Urban whose father, Robert Urban, passed away Saturday night (December 5th), after a lengthy battle with cancer. Keith has been overwhelmed with people reaching out to him and offering him comfort during this difficult time.

“I’ve been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support that Nic and I, and our family, have received since my Dad’s passing on Saturday night,” he writes. “His long battle with cancer is now over and he is finally at peace. My Dad’s love of country music and America set me on my life’s journey, and shaped so much of who I am today. Thank you to everyone who has kept us all in your thoughts and prayers.”

The news of his death comes just a few days after he helped unveil his exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, where he acknowledged his father and credited him in The Tennessean for being the catalyst for his love of country music and move to Nashville.

“You know, Dad really, he’s the reason that I’m here today. His record collection was what got me pointed toward Nashville. He drove me to the music store to buy my first guitar,” says Keith. “You know, he was always extremely supportive of my music, and I have a lot to be grateful to him for.”

In 2002, he released the album Golden Road, which featured a song he wrote and recorded for his father, aptly titled “Song for Dad,” which he said was his way of saying thank you to him. “My love for American country music, American cars, American culture, all of that stuff was inherited from my dad,” says Keith. “I loved the fact that I did, because it sent me on my path, and it was where I was supposed to be. So, this song was my way of saying thanks to him.”