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Keith Urban is spreading the love. The country crooner is bringing the backyard barbecue experience to his fans — along with KC Masterpiece — as he stops off at outdoor festivals across the country on his Summer Lovin’ Tour.
The music star told Parade.com that he is happy to take a break from playing bigger venues for the chance to connect with fans in a more intimate setting. Plus, how he balances his career with life at home with wife Nicole Kidman and two-year-old daughter Sunday.
Also, starting today, Parade readers will have the chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a private barbecue and concert with Keith Urban. Find out how you can enter for the chance to win!
Enjoying the great outdoors.
“We’re in the midst of making a record, so it’s been a year of a few shows and a lot of time in the studio. We haven’t played outside in a long time. It seems as if a majority of our tours are in arenas, so all the festivals this year have been wonderful. It’s just been great to play for a lot of people who probably haven’t seen us play. Every night, faces of strangers out there singing along every word and just the energy in the audience is really amazing. It’s all pretty magical to me.”
Combining two American loves — BBQ and country music.
“I always seem to be the guy providing the entertainment more than cooking. Grilling out and country music does seem to go hand-in-hand, and there’s certainly no shortage of tailgaters before our concerts. At home, I do a little bit of cooking. My wife and I share the cooking duties a little bit.”
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How he balances home life while on tour.
“I don’t know if there’s any secret to it. Everybody sort of finds their own way to keep their life balanced. I know for me, family is first and I just make sure that I spread my time amongst the things that I love to do as well. Balance is never achieved, it’s just maintained. And so far I’ve been able to maintain it.”
Nicole is the perfect partner in crime.
“I’m fortunate to have a wife who understands about career as well. We’re very blessed to have each other, and you recognize the importance of all the facets of our lives. But family is very, very strong in our lives.”
What the future holds for country music.
“Right now, it’s just as strong as it’s ever been. What’s great about country is it’s quite a broad genre. If you say you’re country, you almost have to say what kind of country because it seems to encompass a lot. It’s got a great, rich history of always embracing current styles and trends within it in order to keep it relevant and keep moving forward.”
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Working on a new album.
“We’re about almost halfway through. It’s still very much in the formative stages. I’m just really enjoying being in the studio and anxious about getting this songs out on the road next year.”
His inspiration when it comes to songwriting.
“Just life in general, and love. I tend to write from a rhythmic, melodic riff place. A lot of the times the story comes after the music has been written. The music comes from inspiration.”
Recording was halted after losing valuable equipment during Nashville’s devastating flood.
“I lost probably 98% of my equipment — guitars, amplifiers, everything. A couple of guitars I’ve been able to resurrect, but the majority of it was destroyed so I’ve just started over again.”
He’s proud to call Nashville home.
“It’s extraordinary. It’s certainly not called the Volunteer State for nothing. The town’s got such good community spirit. It seems like there was little national awareness to it because Nashville has a tendency to just jump in and take care of itself. I’m very, very proud to live in that city.”
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I am a huge fan of Keith’s! I respect and admire him and love that he respects his family life. Keith is such an amazing talent and I’m proud to be a fan of his.
I am very much an admirer of both Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman. Despite wealth and fame, they are such down to earth people, and I love the way they both contribute to charities and lend their celebrity and multiple talents to helping good causes all over the world. I envy Nashville for having them as residents because they give so much back to their community. I have nothing but best wishes for this couple and their adorable little daughter. I wish them continued success in both their personal life and their separate professional careers.
I am very much an admirer of keith urban he is such down to earth person I love his music and i do respect him for everything that he does how much he gives back to the community i do wish for all the best keepmup the good work I’am proud to be his fan
Keith Urban is one of the major talents today. I’ve been around a long time, have seen Sinatra and Bobby Darin, among other lesser talents (in my opinion) and Urban could hold his own with both. When he performed ‘Tumbling Dice’ on Jimmy Fallon’s show, he proved his versatility. Besides his remarkable talent, he’s been blessed with that ‘something’ that can’t be defined and can’t be taught, but if you’ve got it, you’ve got it! Count me among his legend of fans.
What a great article… Keith is just a humble fantasticly talented guy, and I am so so happy that he and Nicole have been blessed with the love they have for each other!! God bless them together forever… They just give of themselves with out all the need to “let the world know” of the amounts they give, time they give… but do let us know WHAT they are involved with… great causes they both give of themselves for…
THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN SINGING ALONG TO EVERY SONG AT A KEITH URBAN CONCERT!!! Nothing… it’s pure magic :)