The life of Urban Keith

In October 26, 1967 Keith Loinel Urban was born in Whangarei, New Zealand. His family moved in Queensland, Australia where he was raised. At the very young age of 6 years old, he started to learn playing guitar and actually exhibited talent. By the age of 8, he won a number of young contests. This can be attributed to his parents’ interest in music particularly country music as inspired by great singers namely Dolly Parton and Glen Campbell. When he was a teenager, he formed a band named “The Ranch” which consisted of Urban Keith (vocalist), Peter Clarke (drummer), and Jerry Flower (bass player). In 1997, the band released their debut album but because of Urban Keith’s throat issues, they had to stop and unfortunately they disbanded. Despite of this, Keith never went out of touch with his career as he is always invited to play for famous country groups and artists like the Dixie Chicks and Garth Brooks. But like some famous artists, Urban Keith is a frequent cocaine user and in 1998, he went to rehab. The following year, his treatment was finished and he signed a contract with Nashville TN, right away they produced his self titled debut album. This album had four singles ranking in the top country charts including “But for the grace of God” which was a number one country hit. His second album “Golden Road” which was released in 2002 created two chart topping singles- “Somebody like you” and Who wouldn’t want to be me” In 2004, his next album “Be here” successfully sold over 4 million copies. He had also received numerous awards such as 2001 CMA’s top new male vocalist, 2004 CMA’s Entertainer of the year, 2006 Grammy award for best male country vocal performance and a few Grammy nominations. In 2006, Urban Keith gained attention from the media and his fans when he married the famous and one of the most celebrated actresses Nicole Kidman. In the same year, Keith Urban released another album-“Love, pain and the whole crazy thing” which gained double platinum in United States. He had also admitted the desire to end his alcohol addiction

in order to avoid risking his relationship with Nicole. He then admitted himself into rehab. His next album “Defying gravity” was released in 2009, the singles attribute about his wife- “only you can love me this way” and “sweet thing” topped the charts. 

In the following years, Keith Urban had released successful singles. “Without you” (released in 2011) topped number one and earned him a Grammy award. His latest single “For you” was released for the 2012 film- Act of valor. Being one of the top country singers (2012) Keith Urban has that unique characteristic of fusing pop tunes of songs in country music that entices not only country lovers but pop lovers as well.

The biography of Willie Nelson

Willie Hugh Nelson is the iconic singer for outlaw country music. Nicknamed as the red headed stranger, this talented and versatile country artist is also a songwriter, philanthropist, actor and activist. He was born in Abbot Texas on April 30, 1933- the year in which America suffered great depression. Living with his grandparents, Nelson and his sister were abandoned by their mother and their father died. His grandparents are lovers of music, particularly gospel songs. He was exposed with these songs from their local Methodist church. When he was only 6 years old he started with the basics and learned to play guitar. Amazingly, he wrote his first song at a very young age of 7. A football player in Abbott high school, Nelson is also active in sports. In 1950, he graduated from high school and joined the United States Air force. But his back problems hindered him to last in the military. So, he decided to go to college and has done lots of part time jobs to keep things afloat. But eventually, he dropped out of college and worked as a disc jockey for some radio stations. In 1950, he married his first wife, Martha Matthews and together, they had two children. To pursue his dream, Nelson and his family moved to Nashville in 1960.

Nelson built his career slowly but surely, he had sold his written songs to famous singers like Patsy Cline, Billie Walker and Faron Young. By 1961, Nelson had signed his first contract with Liberty Records and released his debut album. His two first singles from the album namely “Willingly” and “Touch me” topped in the country charts. Nelson’s marriage went topsy turvy when he met Shirley Collie- he had a duet with her in a recording made in 1962. Shirley Collie became his second wife. Then came the 1970s where outlaw revolution reigned. Nelson recorded his greatest album “Shotgun Willie” followed by “Phases and Stages” in 1974. These served as Nelson’s starters in his rise to fame. The following year “Red Headed Stranger” was released. It had scored on both country and rock music charts making another title for Nelson as a crossover artist. “Blue eyes crying in the rain”-A featured single from the album has successfully peaked number one in the billboard country chart. Because of this, Nelson won his first Grammy Award. In 1978, he released his album “stardust” in which Nelson had tried a different approach in country music.  The tracks for songs in his album this time had a new style Nelson created and made his fans love it. His best old country songs include “Always on my mind”, “Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be like cowboys” and “On the road again”.