Keith Urban wasn’t born in the United States, but he still has plenty to celebrate at Thanksgiving. The New Zealand native recalls his first Thanksgiving in America, and the incredible amount of food that was served that day.
“My first Thanksgiving actually was with a family who, it was the Crain family,” Urban recalls. “I was friends with the guy called Billy Crain and his brother was the guitarist in Charlie Daniels’ band. And so the Crain family — very, very, very Southern. That was my first Thanksgiving, and it was the greatest experience because first of all, I realized, make sure you don’t eat two days before Thanksgiving. Don’t eat anything for two days because not only are there going to be like eight dishes all brought by all the relatives. [but] all the relatives are watching to see if you eat their dish.
“And Billy Crain was saying to me, ‘Oh, you got to try this, you got to try that,'” he adds. “And I’m like, ‘I’m good.’ And [he said], ‘No, no, no, I’m saying you have to because they’re watching.’ It was awesome.”
Of all the things that Urban has to be thankful for this year, one of them is his marriage to Nicole Kidman, whom he wed in 2006.
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“[I’m] thankful that my marriage is just, it’s life-giving, not just life-changing,” Urban tells UMG. “It’s been life-giving for me. And from there, we created life, and that’s just beautiful, absolutely beautiful. And the effect that all of that has had in my work, has given life to it too, given it a sense of purpose and really deepened the experience for me.”
Thankfulness is a way of life year-round for Urban. It’s a trait that is evident on Urban’s latest HIGH album, out now. The entire project is filled with positive, feel-good tracks, songs Urban wrote as much for himself as his fans.
“I realized that I need them,” Urban says. “I need them to keep me from the negativity, the darkness, the insecurity, the depression, all of it. I’ve got to stay in motion. And I think those songs can sometimes be whistling in the dark songs for me. They’re a way to keep me company in the midst of all the darkness, and keep me moving. That may not be who I am, but they’re who I need to be to keep moving.”
The father of two will wrap up this year headlining and co-hosting Music City’s upcoming New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, performing alongside Jelly Roll and Kane Brown. He will also spend part of next year headlining his The High Tour, although those dates have yet to be announced.
“I love writing songs,” Urban shares on the Today Show. “The next song is what I’m interested in, recording the next album, putting the next tour together. I’m so excited about the tour next year, The High Tour, which we’re gonna do in 2025, and be announcing shortly. I’m so ready for that.”
All of Urban’s music and upcoming shows can be found at KeithUrban.com.