Keith Urban: Everything you need to know about the 'Somebody Like You' singer

Think you know everything there is to know about the country music sensation?

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 26th Oct 2024

Keith Urban is one of the most well-known and beloved country music stars. Having worked in the music industry for more than 30 years now, he's a prolific singer-songwriter and guitarist and is often touted as being one of the leaders in the genre.

With hits like 'Making Memories Of Us', 'You'll Think Of Me' and 'Parallel Line', the award-winning artist should definitely be on your country radar - if he's not already! Here's everything you need to know about Keith Urban and his career.

Who is Keith Urban?

Keith Urban is a country music singer and musician. Having released his self-titled debut album in 1991, he then joined country band The Ranch with Peter Clarke and Jerry Flowers, who played drums and bass guitar respectively. When the band split in 1998, Keith resumed his solo career to great acclaim, releasing a second self-titled album in 1999.

How old is Keith Urban?

Keith Urban's birthday is 26th October 1967, which makes him 57-years-old at the time of writing.

Does Keith Urban write his own country music?

He certainly does! Keith is best known for his prolific work in the country music field, but he's also dabbled in sub genres country pop, country rock and also pop rock. He's also written songs for other artists, penning American Idol 2016 winner Trent Harmon's winning single, 'Falling'.

He also co-wrote Rodney Atkins' 'Yeah She Does' on his debut album 'Honesty' in 2003, wrote a track for Pat MacDonald and also wrote for Ty Herndon.

How many albums has Keith Urban made?

Having worked in the music industry for over 30 years, Keith has released an impressive 11 studio albums as well as four compilation albums. His self-titled debut album was released in 1991, and included singles 'I Never Work on a Sunday', 'Only You' and 'Got It Bad'.

Six years later in 1997, Keith released 'The Ranch', famous for hit 'Some Days You Gotta Dance' as well as having a cover of 'Stuck in the Middle with You'. He then made a second self-titled album called 'Keith Urban II' in 1999 with singles 'It's a Love Thing' and 'But for the Grace of God'.

Keith Urban: 'Golden Road'

This was followed by the hugely successful 'Golden Road' in 2002, featuring hits like 'Somebody Like You', 'Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me' and 'You'll Think of Me', which Keith followed with 'Be Here' in 2004 - his most successful album to date. Not only that, but it's also one of the best-selling albums in the US by an Australian artist, with songs 'Days Go By', 'Making Memories of Us' and 'Better Life'.

Keith Urban: 'Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing'

Keith's sixth album was entitled 'Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing' and released in 2006 - the same year he married actress Nicole Kidman. He went on to make 'Defying Gravity' in 2009, which was nominated for the Best Country Album Grammy Award, but lost out to Taylor Swift's 'Fearless'. The record spawned singles 'Only You Can Love Me This Way' and 'Sweet Thing', which both went to Number 1 in the US.

Keith Urban: 'Get Closer'

Just one year later, Keith released 'Get Closer', with a competition allowing his fans to choose what the cover shot would be; they chose a photo of him sat on a bed next to his guitar. Keith then took three years off, and returned in 2013 with 'Fuse', in which he collaborated with fellow country singers Miranda Lambert and Eric Church.

Keith Urban: 'Ripcord'

2016 saw the release of 'Ripcord', collaborating with American Idol winner Carrie Underwood on the hit 'The Fighter', and also joined together with Pitbull and Chic guitarist Nile Rodgers on 'Sun Don't Let Me Down'.

He then released 'Graffiti U' in 2018, featuring singles 'Female', 'Parallel Line' and 'Coming Home', which featured vocals from Julia Michaels, best known for her 2017 single 'Issues'. She also opened for Keith on his 'Graffiti U World Tour' in February 2019.

Keith Urban: 'The Speed of Now Part 1'

Keith released his eleventh studio album ‘The Speed of Now Part 1’ in September 2020, which featured singles including ‘Superman’, ‘Change Your Mind’ and ‘One Too Many’. It reached Number 1 on the US Top Country Albums chart, Number 7 on the US Billboard chart and Number 24 on the UK Albums Chart.

Prior to the release of the album, Keith hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards in September 2020, where he also performed the single ‘One Too Many’ with Pink.

Is Keith Urban's 12th album out now?

Keith released his 12th studio album 'High' in September 2024, with the first four singles, 'Straight Line', 'Messed Up As Me', 'Go Home W U' and 'Wildside' released ahead of the album. In a post on Instagram on the day of its release, Keith said of the new album: 'Life is about contrasts - highs, lows, confidence, insecurity, love found, love lost, clarity, blurry, disciplined, and then the next minute, couldn’t care less. Sexy, warm summers and lonely, cold winters. This album flows with all of these in various ways.'

'High' was well received and went to Number 2 in the UK Country Albums chart.

This came after Keith released the single ‘Wild Hearts’ in August 2021, which reached Number 4 on the US Country Airplay chart. He also released the song 'Brown Eyed Baby' in July 2022, which was co-written by Morgan Wallen. Keith then released 'Street Called Main' later that year in October 2022.

Is Keith Urban on tour?

He's due to take his 'High and Alive' World Tour to Australia in August 2025, following a stint in Vegas, but he's not got any dates scheduled here in the UK! In June 2022, Keith embarked on ‘The Speed of Now World Tour’, which was in support of his 2020 album ‘The Speed of Now Part 1’. The tour began in Birmingham, UK in April 2022 and ended in Melbourne, Australia in December that year.

Support acts for the tour were Ingrid Andress (for the North American dates) and Tyler Hubbard.

Take a look at some of the upcoming country tours to look forward to:

Here You Come Again (musical)

If you can't catch the iconic Dolly Parton live in person - then why not treat yourself to the next best thing? That's right, for the first time ever, all of the legendary country singer's biggest and best hits can be experienced in the new 'rollicking and joyous' musical comedy Here You Come Again! Featuring hits such as 'Jolene' and 'Islands In The Stream', the musical is touring the UK this year, and you can catch it in locations such as Birmingham, Sheffield, London, Glasgow, Norwich, Cheltenham, Woking, Salford, Bath, Milton Keynes, Blackpool and Liverpool - with dates running from now, all the way up to 7th December 2024. It is expected the musical will even continue into 2025, however these dates are yet to be confirmed.


Buy tickets here!

Elles Bailey

Elles Bailey - a favourite on Absolute Radio Country's 'The Front Porch' with Baylen Leonard - is heading on her biggest headline tour to date this Autumn, spanning 16 shows across the UK! The epic shows are seeing the genre-splicing roots singer perform songs from her new album 'Beneath The Neon Glow', having started in Lincoln Wednesday 25th September 2024. The tour is now taking in shows in range of cities, including Cambridge, Bristol, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Wolverhampton, with the run ending in Leeds on Sunday 1st December.


Buy tickets here!

Brothers Osborne - 2025

Kicking off 2025 strong will be country rock duo Brothers Osborne, who are lined up to be heading to the UK & Ireland in January. The duo will be bringing us nine dates as part of their 'Might As Well Be Us World Tour', with John and TJ Osborne playing shows in Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and London in January 2025, from Friday 17th - Thursday 30th January, with support coming from Tyler Braden.


Buy tickets here!

Corey Kent

Rising country star Corey Kent is scheduled to captivate UK audiences in February 2025! Bringing his 'The Black Bandana Tour' across the pond, with his powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, Corey is set to perform in in cities like Belfast, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and London, from 2nd - 11th February 2025.


Buy tickets here!

Carly Pearce - 2025

The incredible Carly Pearce will be gracing the UK with tour dates in 2025! The singer's 'hummingbird' tour will be heading around the UK & Ireland throughout February 2025, beginning in London on 19th, before visiting Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast, before culminating in Dublin on 28th. The tour supports Carly's fourth studio album, 'Hummingbird', which she released in June 2024.


Buy tickets here!

Country To Country 2025

Taking place at London's The O2, Glasgow OVO Hydro and Belfast SSE Arena on the weekend of Friday 14th to Sunday 26th March 2025, the world-renowned Country To Country Festival returns! The blockbuster line-up has been revealed for next year's country bonanza, with Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson serving as the headline acts. With other huge names like Dylan Gossett, Tyler Hubbard, Chayce Beckham and 'A Bar Song' icon Shaboozey joining the bill, check out the incredible Country To Country 2025 line-up, as well as our complete guide to Country To Country 2025.


Buy tickets here!

Morgan Wade - 2025

The spectacular Morgan Wade will be heading to the UK & Ireland in 2025, as part of 'The Obsessed Tour' - which will also see her perform around Europe. Playing four huge shows throughout the UK & Ireland, the 'Time to Love, Time to Kill' singer will be performing her largest UK headline show to date at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London on 25th March 2025, before calling at Manchester's Albert Hall on 26th, Whelan's in Dublin on 27th, then finishing at the O2 Academy Glasgow on 30th.


Buy tickets here!

Scotty McCreery - 2025

'Fall of Summer' star Scotty McCreery delighted fans with the news that he is returning to the UK with tour dates! You can catch the country star live in concert in May 2025, with dates starting in Belfast on 23rd May. Scotty will then travel through Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester, before ending the run in London on 30th!


Buy tickets here!

The Long Road Festival 2025

August Bank Holiday 2025 will see the return of the three-day The Long Road Festival - celebrating the music, lifestyle and influences of Country! From Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th August 2025, the festival returns to Stanford Hall estate in Leicestershire with a range of incredible artists across the five stages.


Buy tickets here!

Has Keith Urban worked with Taylor Swift?

He has! Keith featured on the song ‘That’s When’ (Taylor’s Version), one of the vault tracks on Taylor Swift’s re-recorded album ‘Fearless’ (Taylor’s Version), which was released in April 2021.

LISTEN: Taylor Swift - 'That's When (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault) featuring Keith Urban

Who are Keith Urban's band members?

In 2018, a fan on the community part of his site, KeithUrban.net, asked who was in Keith's band. Another fan answered, writing, 'Seth Rausch on drums, Jerry Flowers on bass guitar, Danny Rader on guitar, banjo etc, and Nathan Barlowe on the Phantom and guitar.'

Is Keith Urban left-handed?

We're not 100% sure, but here's what he's said about it. In 2009, Keith commented that he found left-handed musicians incredible, praising his fellow musician Brad Paisley in an interview.

"I can't play anything he plays 'cause it's from another planet," he said, adding, "It's literally like another language. I have really no comprehension how he approaches it — it's almost like watching a left-handed guitarist for me. It's a whole 'nother thing. It's fascinating to me."

However, many of his guitars are left-handed, and tweeted his preference for left-handed playing in November 2015.

Where is Keith Urban from?

Keith Urban was born in Whangarei, Northland in New Zealand, but the family moved to Queensland in Australia when he was young. He is a citizen of both New Zealand and the United States.

Where does Keith Urban live?

Keith Urban formerly lived in Franklin, Tennessee in the US, but in November 2018 it was reported that he and wife Nicole Kidman had sold the home. According to Variety.com, the couple own a penthouse in Sydney, a home in Beverley Hills and a duplex in New York City.

Is Keith Urban married?

He is - Keith Urban married actress Nicole Kidman on 25th June 2006, having started dating one year earlier after meeting in January 2005 at G'Day LA, an event in Hollywood to honour Australians. Whilst Nicole was born in Hawaii, her parents were Australian and the family returned to Australia when Nicole was four. She has dual citizenship of Australia and the United States.

What are Keith Urban's children's names?

Keith shares two daughters with Nicole - Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, who was born in 2008, and Faith Margaret Kidman Urban, born in 2010. He is also step-father to Nicole's two adopted children with her ex-husband, Tom Cruise; Isabella Jane and Connor Anthony.

What is Keith Urban's net worth?

According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, Keith is worth a whopping $75 million dollars.

How tall is Keith Urban?

There are discrepancies over how tall Keith Urban is, as some publications report that he stands at 5ft 10in or 178cm, whilst others report that he's 5ft 8.5 in or 174 cm tall. Until we can get Keith on the phone to check, this will have to do!

Is Keith Urban related to Karl Urban?

Despite having similar names and both being from New Zealand, Karl and Keith are not related, and Karl's management have quite often made statements confirming that they're not related.

Can I listen to Keith Urban on Absolute Radio Country?

Yes! We play hits by Keith and a whole host of country stars.

Now read:

Everything you need to know about country legend Shania Twain

Luke Bryan: Everything you need to know about country music's busiest star

13 of Morgan Wallen's biggest songs of all time

How to listen to Absolute Radio Country:

Listen to Absolute Radio Country across the UK on your digital radio, the free Rayo app, by hitting the play button below or by asking your smart speaker to "play Absolute Radio Country".