Keith Urban performed a surprise show on Thursday night, May 14, at Stardust Drive-In Theatre, located just outside of Nashville, to honor first responders working during the coronavirus pandemic. The event is believed to be the first of its kind in the United States.
“To all of you guys here tonight, for everything that you’ve done, and continue to do, to all of your families, we say thank you – this concert is for all of you,” Keith said upon taking the stage.
More than 125 vehicles were parked at the theater to enjoy the show, filled with doctors, nurses, EMTs and more, from the various Vanderbilt Hospital locations.
NOW SHOWING – URBAN UNDERGROUND 🎬
A huge THANK YOU to all @VUMChealth frontline workers who attended tonight's special show at the drive in! @VUMChealth @VUMCchildren @LiveNation @stardustdrivein #frontline pic.twitter.com/E7BfOQL7dQ— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) May 15, 2020
“I did this to say thanks to the healthcare workers who are putting their lives on the line for us every day,” Keith said in a statement. “And performing in this environment, with everyone in their cars at a safe distance from one another, seems like an amazing opportunity for everybody to just let go and have fun….and I’m a musician, I HAVE TO PLAY!”
Keith, who performed with his band spread out at a safe distance, just announced his next album, The Speed of Now, will be released on Sept. 18.
“In October 2019 this album title came to me,” Keith said of his next record. “I liked it because I felt like life was flying by so fast. But music has always been the place where it slows down and doesn’t even exist. I would never have imagined that, in 2020, this album title would take on a whole new meaning, and yet somehow still feel incredibly relevant.”
Keith will take the stage this weekend, along with Kelsea Ballerini and Morgan Evans, at the Grand Ole Opry. The show will be streamed via both Circle and Gray TV stations, DISH Studio Channel 102, Sling TV, among other options. Find more information at Opry.com.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of PFA Media