Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Jeff Apter, Allen & Unwin, $32.99.
“All those detours, especially the really dark ones, got me to where I am now. I would not want to change one leaf on any tree in the whole journey.” Keith Urban has done it tough, but has now reached the upper echelons of the entertainment industry.
It’s been an amazing journey — from daydreamer to superstar — for the musician, singer, guitarist and songwriter known for his work in country music. He once said: “[Nashville’s] not my dream, it’s my destiny.” Urban would soon achieve more than simply fulfilling his calling. The journey to reach his personal nirvana, however, has been one wild ride.
In this comprehensive biography of Urban, Jeff Apter meticulously documents how Keith lived out his childhood dream and the price he’s had to pay to reach the top. A high school dropout, Keith dreamed of conquering Nashville. The road, however, wasn’t an easy one – especially for an Australian playing country music. Despite many setbacks, bands breaking up and entering rehab, Keith never gave up. His dogged perseverance ensured he made big not only in Nashville, but working with many international celebrities along the way.
Keith, who has won four Grammys, had 20 U.S. number one hits and is married to ‘Hollywood royalty’, was hell-bent on scaling that musical Everest. Whatever it took.
On meeting Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman (his wife), Urban said “I thought she was way out of my league … I’m a kid from Brissie … not in a million years did I think somebody like that would be interested in me.”
What did Keith Urban say about Nashville? If the answer is correct, you could be one of four winners to get a copy of Keith Urban. Entries should be sent to [email protected] by Monday, 6 June 2022. Names of the winners will be announced in Frank Cassidy’s PS-sssst…! column on 7 June 2022.
