Keith Urban has revealed a new philanthropic venture, dubbed the Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship. Open to all young aspiring country musicians in Australia, the scholarship will grant the winner a trip to Nashville, where they will get the chance to perform live in the city as well as meet with industry professionals and spend two days recording at Urban’s own studio The Sound.
“Sometimes, all a musician needs is an opportunity to be heard – or, someone to help nurture their talent,” Urban said in a press statement. “Having the opportunity to do that not only inspires me, I’m hoping that – in some way – this scholarship will serve to inspire others.” The scholarship serves as a full-circle moment of sorts for Urban, whose initial career breakthrough came in the form of a similar initiative run by the Tamworth Country Music Festival known as the Star Maker competition. Urban won in 1989, when he was 22 years old, setting him on an eventual path to success.
Keith Urban – ‘Days Go By’
Urban has partnered with the Tamworth Country Music Festival to host the scholarship. In a press statement, Peter Ross – the festival’s Executive Manager – described Urban as “the living embodiment of the Tamworth Festival pathway to success”. “Together, we want to help give other artists the opportunity to take Australian country music to the world,” he said. “It’s wonderful that Keith continues to recognise and support the industry that helped shape his career, and we are so pleased to be partnering with him.” Applications will open in January, ahead of the festival.
The multi-platinum country singer is currently back in Australia on his HIGH and Alive world tour, which he is undertaking in support of his upcoming 11th studio album HIGH (a backronym of How I Got Here). Joined by American country singer Chase Matthew, Urban kicked off the tour last week in Newcastle before playing two nights at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre over the weekend. He heads to Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre tomorrow night (August 20th) before a two-night stint at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena and dates in both Melbourne and Adelaide next week.
More information on the Rising Star Scholarship can be found here, while all remaining tickets for Urban’s upcoming Australian tour dates can be accessed via his website, KeithUrban.com.
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