Keith Urban Accepts CRS Artist Humanitarian Award

Pictured (L-R): Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban at CRS 2016. Photo: Sara Kauss

Keith Urban appeared at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) on Monday afternoon (Feb. 8) to receive the Artist Humanitarian Award in person. He accepted the honor from Lady Antebellum. His wife, Nicole Kidman, was in the audience at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

During his speech, Urban recounted how his family’s home in Australia burned down when he was 9. He said that several organizations, including a local country music club that his parents belonged to, stepped in to help with donated items and fundraisers.

“It was so apparent to me, right from the age of 9, that this is what it’s about. People fall on hard times, people need help, various causes need help and support. So, I’m just extremely grateful that I’ve been given a chance to bring a spotlight that my wife and I both have, to causes that mean something to us, and hopefully they benefit from it. It’s what I love to do more than anything,” he said.

Joking that he was a terrible athlete in school, and an even worse scholar, he told the audience that he was grateful that music was an option in his school—and that making instruments available to all students is one of his biggest goals. He is an avid supporter of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Grammy in the Schools, and Mr. Holland’s Opus Fund, among many other organizations.

In closing, Urban noted, “I want to really share this award with all of the volunteers and people who work behind the scenes in countless organizations, that have no name recognition, that never receive these kinds of things, but work tirelessly and give of the most precious thing we all have, which is time.”

Urban also appeared at the UMG Nashville lunch and performance on Tuesday afternoon, singing “Break On Me” and “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.”