Urban drops new song, assumes ACM hosting duties
Thursday, February 27, 2020 – Keith Urban today announced the release of his first new song of 2020, "God Whispered Your Name" and that he would host the Academy of Country Music Awards in April.
The song is a soulful, mid-tempo cut from an album due later this year.
"As if having a new song out today wasn't enough, I also get to host the ACM's in April," said Urban. "I'll tell you - this year already feels like the most creative and energized year of my life...and there's so much more to come. Incredibly grateful - and ready to roll."
Urban will tour later this year with three distinctive shows, each with its own production and set list. He will do 14 concert events only to be seen at Las Vegas' The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, a European tour this May and fairs and festivals this summer.
The 55th ACMs will be held on Sunday April 5 at 8 p.m. eastern on CBS.
More news for Keith Urban
CD reviews for Keith Urban
Graffiti U
It's telling how two songs on Keith Urban's "Graffiti U" album chug along to a reggae beat because pop rhythms and non-country elements are the obvious inspirations for this collection. Opener "Coming Home" may borrow (steal?) a guitar riff from Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried," but this is where that country road begins and ends.
Urban follows "Coming Home" with "Never Comin' Down," which is introduced with a funky bass line »»» |
Ripcord
Even though Keith Urban's single, "Wasted Time," borrows more than a little sonic sensibility from electronic music, there's still an upfront banjo solo. And this is how it's always been with Urban. He may play the part of the guitar hero at times, and even revealed his eclectic musical knowledge as a judge on American Idol, but Urban will always be a country boy at heart. And boyish good looks and talent have taken this country boy far, too.
The wonderfully titled »»» |
Fuse
Keith Urban will keep his superstar status intact with the lengthy "Fuse." The upbeat, commercial- and fan-friendly music and singing from Urban will ensure that. This is pretty much vintage Urban.
That means Urban's not very high on the country quotient. What sounds like a guitar on the rocking Good Thing and the somewhat swampy Red Camaro, for example, is Mike Elizondo's programming. Yes, there's gango (six-stringed banjo with guitar neck) sprinkled in many songs, but »»» |
Editorial: Walking the talk –
When names like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon and the Hag are invoked, you're talking hard core country. These are the touchstones of country , the guys who made country music what it was and still is (or maybe can be). When these folks would sing about being down-and-out and the rough-and-tumble, they knew of what they were singing about. Fast forward a few years to the country singers of today. »»»
Concert Review: The Lil Smokies provide the perfect antidote –
On a night when the world to be falling further apart thanks to coronavirus (this would be the night the NBA postponed the season), there stood The Lil Smokies to at least in some small measure save the day.
The quintet is part of a generation of musicians with bluegrass as the basis, but not totally the sum of the music either.... »»»
Concert Review: White makes the case for himself, no matter how dark the music –
John Paul White opined with a glint in his eyes that his songs were not of the uplifting variety. In fact, they were downright dark. How else to explain "The Long Way" with the line "long way home back to you." Or "James," a song inspired by his grandfather who suffered from dementia.
But lest you think that the Alabama... »»»
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