Country from Down Under

Jennifer K Mahal

The first time Keith Urban heard one of his songs on the radio, he

was in a hotel suite with his parents, getting ready to play a

concert in Tamworth, Australia.

“It was an extraordinary feeling, surreal,” the 34-year-old

country music star said of hearing “I Never Work on a Sunday.” “It

felt like someone was playing a tape. I couldn’t grasp that it was on

the radio.”

Since his self-titled album in 1999, Urban has had plenty of time

to grasp his radio popularity. The “wonder from Down Under,” who

plays the Orange County Fair on July 21, has a number of memorable

hits to his credit, including “Where the Blacktop Ends,” “Your

Everything” and “But For the Grace of God.” His yet-untitled

sophomore album is due in stores in October.

Writing songs, Urban said, can be a very cathartic thing.

“In some cases, you don’t have a choice,” he said. “Stuff just

comes to you and you have to grab the tape recorder. Most of the

songs started with an inspiration -- a title, a melody.”

Urban, who looks more like a fresh-faced model than gruff cowboy,

learned to play guitar when he was 6. He took lessons from a woman

who offered to teach in exchange for placing a flier in his father’s

shop window.

“I don’t remember the first song I learned,” Urban said from a Los

Angeles photo shoot for his new album. “Probably some nursery-rhymey

thing.”

He credits his father with steering his musical tastes toward

country.

“My dad’s record collection was all country,” Urban said. “It’s

really what I heard the most of around the house.”

Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton and Don Williams stand beside

Fleetwood Mac, the Everly Brothers and the Eagles as influences.

Urban had several hits in Australia before moving to Nashville to

follow his dreams. He was the lead singer for “The Ranch,” a

critically acclaimed band, until a severe throat infection sidelined

him for a number of months. His solo album, “keith urban,” gained

critical acclaim.

“Urban’s signature style and distinctive take on country music, a

fusion of rock-style guitar with seemingly radio-friendly songs, is a

formula that will take him from newcomer status to superstar,” said

Maria Konicki Dinoia, for the “All Music Guide.”

He may be on his way to superstardom, but for Urban, just having

the fans show up is a blessing. He said one of the best things about

having a fan club is the tendency for fans to hook up with one

another.

“People write to me and tell me they’ve met amazing people since

joining the fan club,” he said. “Getting to introduce people to other

people is a wonderful thing.”