Keith Urban knows all too well the pitfalls of moving to Nashville to pursue a career in country music, especially from halfway around the world. Urban made the move in Nashville in 1989, struggling to make ends meet and get his career started.
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Now, with decades of success to his credit, Urban announces the Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship, which he is launching in partnership with the Tamworth Festival organization. Urban shared the news while in Australia for his High and Alive World Tour.
"Sometimes all a musician needs is an opportunity to be heard or someone to help nurture their talent," Urban says. "Having the opportunity to do that not only inspires me, but I'm also hoping that in some way this scholarship will serve to inspire others."
"Keith is the living embodiment of the Tamworth Festival pathway to success," adds Peter Ross, Executive Manager of Tamworth Festival. "And together we want to help give other artists the opportunity to take Australian country music to the world. It's wonderful that Keith continues to recognize and support the industry that helped shape his career."
One lucky recipient each year will receive a trip to artist to Nashville, along with "unprecedented access to Nashville's music scene - a chance to perform, write, record, meet industry personnel and enjoy two days of recording time at Urban's recording studio, The Sound (formerly the legendary Tracking Room)," per a press release.
More information is available here.
Keith Urban Recalls His Own Move to Nashville
Urban already had some success when he moved to Nashville. But he admits it wasn't an easy transition to go from his native country to the United States, especially as an aspiring artist.
"When I moved to Nashville, and everyone was like, 'You play country music, but you don't wear a hat," Urban recalls on the Track Star podcast. "I'm like, 'Well, neither does Merle Haggard. Neither did Johnny Cash. George Jones didn't wear a hat, Ronnie Milsap didn't wear a hat. People forget, you didn't have to wear a hat to be country."
The Grand Ole Opry member can now laugh about his early years, although it wasn't necessarily funny at the time.
"The first hotel I stayed at, the Shoney's Inn down on Demombruen, is still there; it's called the Comfort Inn now. ... I don't feel that different from when I stayed in that room, hoping I could get a record deal." Urban recalls to Backstage Country. "
"Hoping I could get to record music in the studio with great players," he adds. "And maybe get a tour bus one day and hit the road. I still feel exactly the same. It's an amazing feeling. It keeps it really exciting for me."
