Keith Urban

In the last couple of decades, we've learned more and more than country music really is countrywide... and more than that, it's worldwide! While countries all over the world have produced notable country artists, from Canada all the way across the pond to the UK, there's no denying that there's a special relationship between country and and the Land Down Under.

Born in New Zealand and raised in Queensland, Australia, Keith Urban showed an early affection for music, picking up a ukulele at age four and graduating to a guitar at age six. Taking guitar lessons and performing at local competitions, he quickly began honing what would become his impressive picking skills, inspired by rock guitar greats like Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham.

After spending his teenage years appearing on popular Australian TV programs and making a local name for himself, Urban released his self-titled album in 1991, which spawned four singles on the Australian charts, before picking up and moving to Music City the next year. Leading a band called The Ranch, the group recorded one record and charted two singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart before Urban set his sights on a return to his solo career. Urban's second eponymous, Platinum-certified album came in 1999, giving the Aussie his first US No. 1 with 'But for the Grace of God.'

From there, it's been off to the races for Urban who has now released a dozen records, charted over three dozen singles, nabbing nearly 20 No. 1s and worked with an illustrious list of collaborators across country music and beyond, including P!nk, Nelly Furtado, Jason Derulo, Julia Michaels, Peter Frampton, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church and Reba McEntire.

With a glowing, hit-laden discography that includes career-defining hits like 'Somebody Like You,' 'You'll Think Of Me,' 'Blue Ain't Your Color,' 'Stupid Boy,' 'Wasted Time,' 'We Were' and so many more, it's no surprise that Urban has collected a maddening array of awards throughout his career, totaling four Grammy Awards, 15 ACMs and 13 CMAs.