Urban benefit gig leads to Opry invite
Urban also managed to get an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry from Vince Gill. Urban will be inducted April 21. New Zealand-born and Australian-raised, Urban will be the first artist from outside North America to become an Opry member.
Near the end of tonight's show, Gill called Rascal Flatts back out on stage to bring a gift for Urban. As Urban opened a large black duffel bag revealing the Opry's signature microphone stand, Gill said, "We would like to invite Keith Urban to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry."
Urban covered his face in surprise as he began, "I don't know what to say - but first, yes. Thank you very much to everybody at the Grand Ole Opry who made this possible. I'm shocked. How beautiful for this to happen tonight of all nights."
"I will always remember the first time I played the Opry," Urban continued, "Seeing this stand and standing in the circle was an extraordinarily surreal moment. So this right here is just a whole other stratosphere. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"We are extremely excited that another of today's most popular country music superstars will be joining our Opry family," said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. "Keith has become a master at forging a unique musical path and building an incredibly successful career. He generates amazing enthusiasm from fans every time he plays the Opry, and he continuously demonstrates the deep regard he has both for the Opry and the entire country music community."
More news for Keith Urban
- 01/13/25: Urban goes north
- 12/09/24: Urban returns to touring
- 10/25/24: Jelly Roll, Urban, Combs headline Tortuga Fest
- 10/08/24: Urban named to co-host Nashville's Big Bash on NYE
- 09/20/24: Urban, Midland, ZBB, Tenpenny release new discs
- 06/28/24: Urban goes "High"
- 05/17/24: Urban gets "Messed Up" on The Voice
- 05/06/24: Urben gets HIGH in Vegas
CD reviews for Keith Urban



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