01of 12The Story of His LifeRuss Harrington"Life has had in store for me way more than I ever imagined,“Keith Urbantold PEOPLE in 2016 as he reflected back on a series of snapshots from his life and career while promoting his albumRipcord. The pervading thought that came to mind while chatting about the photos? “Gratitude,” he said. “For all of it — even the lean years — because all of it was going somewhere.”
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The Story of His Life
Russ Harrington
“Life has had in store for me way more than I ever imagined,“Keith Urbantold PEOPLE in 2016 as he reflected back on a series of snapshots from his life and career while promoting his albumRipcord. The pervading thought that came to mind while chatting about the photos? “Gratitude,” he said. “For all of it — even the lean years — because all of it was going somewhere.”
02of 12A Guitarist Is BornNews Ltd/Newspix/Rex/Shutterstock"It felt so right in my hands,” Urban said of getting his first guitar at age 6. “My mum and dad bought it for me, I remember it so clearly. I was lucky to have parents who recognized my passion for music early on. I was committed to playing.”
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A Guitarist Is Born
News Ltd/Newspix/Rex/Shutterstock
“It felt so right in my hands,” Urban said of getting his first guitar at age 6. “My mum and dad bought it for me, I remember it so clearly. I was lucky to have parents who recognized my passion for music early on. I was committed to playing.”
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An Early Mentor
Courtesy Keith Urban
04of 12Blond AmbitionJohn Elliott/Headpress"WTF?” asked Urban with a laugh at this 1994 photo. “No wonder it was a struggle to get accepted in Nashville! My publisher suggested I tweak the way I looked so that I could fit in more. But I was like, ‘This is my identity. This is who I am!'”
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Blond Ambition
John Elliott/Headpress
“WTF?” asked Urban with a laugh at this 1994 photo. “No wonder it was a struggle to get accepted in Nashville! My publisher suggested I tweak the way I looked so that I could fit in more. But I was like, ‘This is my identity. This is who I am!'”
05of 12Paying His Dues, AgainCourtesy Keith UrbanSaid Urban of this 1997 album cover with his then band The Ranch, “I remember it being the strangest time. I paid my dues in Australia all through the ’80s and got signed to a record deal in 1990, had a band, a crew and audience and was doing great. But I wanted to go to America and I had to start all over again. We were right back into a little van, the three of us, with our sound man driving all over America. It was grueling.”
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Paying His Dues, Again
Said Urban of this 1997 album cover with his then band The Ranch, “I remember it being the strangest time. I paid my dues in Australia all through the ’80s and got signed to a record deal in 1990, had a band, a crew and audience and was doing great. But I wanted to go to America and I had to start all over again. We were right back into a little van, the three of us, with our sound man driving all over America. It was grueling.”
06of 12Family AffairCourtesy Keith Urban"I was incredibly lucky to have parents who recognized my passion for music early on,” said Urban, in a photo with his mom Marienne and his dad, Robert, who died in 2015 from cancer. “My mom is a very personable, social person. My dad was incredibly introverted, but very artistic. Those two personality traits were really important to me because I need both.”
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Family Affair
“I was incredibly lucky to have parents who recognized my passion for music early on,” said Urban, in a photo with his mom Marienne and his dad, Robert, who died in 2015 from cancer. “My mom is a very personable, social person. My dad was incredibly introverted, but very artistic. Those two personality traits were really important to me because I need both.”
07of 12Country Crowns a New PrinceRick Diamond/WireImage"It was the first year I was nominated and I was shocked to win," said Urban of snagging a CMA for Entertainer of the Year in 2005. “I told everybody I voted for Kenny Chesney. Well, Kenny goes on to win the next three years in a row and I was like, ‘Why did I say that?’ "
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Country Crowns a New Prince
Rick Diamond/WireImage
“It was the first year I was nominated and I was shocked to win,” said Urban of snagging a CMA for Entertainer of the Year in 2005. “I told everybody I voted for Kenny Chesney. Well, Kenny goes on to win the next three years in a row and I was like, ‘Why did I say that?’ "
08of 12Beyond His DreamsJeff Kravitz/FilmMagic"Winning a Grammy wasn’t on my list of goals,” said Urban of his first win for the ballad “You’ll Think of Me” in 2006. “I’m a very ambitious person, but sometimes I set my goals way too low because I just wanted to get a song on the radio and tour, but winning a Grammy was extraordinary.”
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Beyond His Dreams
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
“Winning a Grammy wasn’t on my list of goals,” said Urban of his first win for the ballad “You’ll Think of Me” in 2006. “I’m a very ambitious person, but sometimes I set my goals way too low because I just wanted to get a song on the radio and tour, but winning a Grammy was extraordinary.”
09of 12Welcome to the ClubChris Hollo/Hollo Photographics, Inc.In 2012, Urban was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. “This is a hallowed family institution at the deepest core of country music in its entire history,” said Urban. “So to be asked into that family was just an extraordinary honor.”
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Welcome to the Club
Chris Hollo/Hollo Photographics, Inc.
In 2012, Urban was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. “This is a hallowed family institution at the deepest core of country music in its entire history,” said Urban. “So to be asked into that family was just an extraordinary honor.”
10of 12Hands-On ApproachMichel Dufour/French Select/Getty"It’s a short life and I’m going to be tactile with my wife,” said Urban of his PDA with wifeNicole Kidman,here in Cannes in 2013. “She’s my best friend,” he continued. “I’ve never had anybody on the planet that knows me as well as she does.”
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Hands-On Approach
Michel Dufour/French Select/Getty
“It’s a short life and I’m going to be tactile with my wife,” said Urban of his PDA with wifeNicole Kidman,here in Cannes in 2013. “She’s my best friend,” he continued. “I’ve never had anybody on the planet that knows me as well as she does.”
11of 12Guitar HeroesCourtesy Keith UrbanFor his 2016 albumRipcord, Urban collaborated with lauded musician Nile Rodgers. “When I got the chance to make a connection with Nile, I just went after it,” said Urban. “Nile and me, it’s all about the guitar. His guitar playing is just iconic. He’s the guy.”
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Guitar Heroes
For his 2016 albumRipcord, Urban collaborated with lauded musician Nile Rodgers. “When I got the chance to make a connection with Nile, I just went after it,” said Urban. “Nile and me, it’s all about the guitar. His guitar playing is just iconic. He’s the guy.”
12of 12Girls’ ClubFrom left: Keith Urban, daughter Faith Margaret, Nicole Kidman and daughter Sunday Rose.Though Urban and Kidman keep daughters Sunday and Faith out of the spotlight, they had them at their sides for the virtual 2021 Golden Globe Awards.One year later, Urban opened up about his girls, saying Faith is showing interest in music and Sunday, filmmaking.
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Girls’ Club
From left: Keith Urban, daughter Faith Margaret, Nicole Kidman and daughter Sunday Rose.
Though Urban and Kidman keep daughters Sunday and Faith out of the spotlight, they had them at their sides for the virtual 2021 Golden Globe Awards.One year later, Urban opened up about his girls, saying Faith is showing interest in music and Sunday, filmmaking.
source: people.com
