Urban Barbecue Escape

Keith Urban’s 2009 tour, labeled Keith Urban Escape Together Tour has added KC Masterpiece Barbeque Sauce and Kingsford Charcoal as a headline sponsor. The shows will begin in May and play mostly larger size venues. Drew McGowan, Sr. Grp. Manager PR/Sponsorships for Clorox Company, which owns both brands, told Billboard, “There’s a perfect link between people who barbecue out in the backyard and people listening to country music. We definitely wanted to continue our commitment to country music because it fits so well with our brands. We looked at who was touring this summer and who made a lot of sense with our brands individually, and Keith just seemed like a perfect fit.” Last year the sponsor signed on to support Tim McGraw.

KC Masterpiece and Kingsford, as part of the agreement, will host the Keith Urban Backstage Experience, VIP pre-show and more. Making sure that everyone’s taste buds meet savory results will be “official pitmaster” and barbecue champion Chris Lilly. Urban manager Gary Borman noted that the client/sponsor fit made for a “natural association. We’re thrilled.”