Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Updates 06/27/10

The local radio talent in the Kansas area discuss pre-fest who the fans want to see

Who's Hottest At Stampede

Keith Montgomery, 94.5 Country's program director and afternoon drive host, and Jamie Slack, who is heard from 6 to 10 p.m., say their must-see act will take the stage later Friday when that day's headliner starts his set at 10:30 p.m.

Slack said she thinks the majority of Stampede-goers are most eager to see Keith Urban.

"I think he's a class act, and he'll do a great show. He's also widely known, even outside of the country music arena," Slack said of Urban, who in addition to being a country music superstar is married to Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman, with whom he has a nearly 2-year-old daughter.

Montgomery, however, said such celebrity status doesn't outshine Urban's raw musical talent.

"The first time I saw Keith, he was with a group called The Ranch," Montgomery recalled. "In the small club in which he performed, there couldn't have been more than 30 people, but I knew then he would be a star."

"He's quite possibly the best guitar player I've ever seen, and I've seen Clapton, Muddy Waters, Eddie Van Halen and many others who are considered greats," Montgomery continued.

As for his assessment of Urban's guitar-playing prowess, Daniels concurred, saying fans "will see and hear one of the most amazing guitarists ever regardless of what kind of music you like."

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No professional reviews of the Manhattan, Kansas show have been available yet. But there's plenty of pics and comments.


B_drownKeith Urban rocked #manhattan last night. Up today: Eli Young Band, Billy Currington and Montgomery Gentry. #stampede
about 23 hours ago via web


Danny Gokey Today I was an opener for a show that headlined Keith Urban and Darius Rucker & I have to say that they are AMAZING entertainers!! WOW!!!!! 12:13 AM Jun 26th via web


Click HERE to see 37 more great photos like this one from Zimbio.























Also more at DayLife

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A fan reported that Keith dedicated a song to Nicole at the Manhattan show but of course the skeptics don't even believe she was even there. Too bad skeptics. She's been with Keith since before their anniversary.

Comments from Colorado at the next tour stop

sherman721 Saw Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman on a motorcycle today. He's here for a concert tonite. We were at the same stop sign. It was cool. about 18 hours ago via Echofon

mslexitaylor Standing in the mud for the Keith Urban concert. I love my life. :) about 13 hours ago via txt

Nicole Kidman is here. Score. about 11 hours ago


lindlwalsh Keith Urban said after their 6/25 anniversary Nic was to fly home today but after a great cycle ride in CO she decided to cancel her flight about 9 hours ago via web

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Review from Greeley

Greeley Stampede: Who needs sun when you've got Keith Urban?

The first full day of the Greeley Stampede kicked off Saturday, despite interference from a couple of rainstorms that washed through the area, delaying some acts, mucking up the arena grounds and sending people for cover.

“The weather kept the crowd back a little bit, but they're coming,” vendor Bruce Ayers said.

Although heavy rains soaked the fairgrounds, plenty of people braved the rain to buy from vendors, ride the Ferris wheel and see live music. The entertainment included a Professional Bull Riders rodeo in the Stampede arena and the headliner performance by Keith Urban.

Ayers works with his wife, Cindy, selling Cindy's Pillow Pets, pillows shaped like animals. He said weather forced them to shut down twice, once about 1 p.m., and a second time about 5 p.m.

“We had to shut down for a couple of hours each time,” Ayers said. But he didn't think that they lost much money. “It happened early before the main crowd got here.”

The storms forced some delays on the three different entertainment stages and forced the cancellation of the first few showings of the All-American High Dive Show.

Stampede spokesman Justin Watada said the storms hit about a day before organizers expected them, but he said the show would go on. About 10,000 people already had Keith Urban tickets in hand, and sales continued throughout the evening.

“We're an outdoor venue. It just goes with having an outdoor venue,” Watada said. “It's definitely going to be muddy down there.”

And muddy it was. One hour before Urban got on stage, people filled into the arena only to find it had turned into one giant mud pit.

Marga Johnson, who traveled from Baltimore to see Urban perform, was willing to slosh through the mud to get to her seats.

“This is the worst I've ever seen it, but other than that it will be OK,” Johnson said.

For some, the mud was bearable because the storms had stopped and the concert wasn't canceled or postponed.

“I came from Wisconsin,” Carol Annis said. “I was very upset when it was lightning and thundering. But even if it was still raining, I would have been here.”

Although she had a shorter commute than Annis, Patti Bragg of Monument agreed.

“Even if it was still raining, he's worth it,” Bragg said. “He's worth it all.”

Other fans came prepared to face the mud.

“The rain wasn't a big concern,” said Vicki Caldwell of Colorado Springs. “I have my cowgirl boots on, I'm ready to go.”

Sue Trusty, a Stampede Rider, watched the people brave the mud to find their seats.

“Everyone is afraid of the mud,” Trusty said, laughing. “We've had people lose their shoes and people who have been carried through the mud. It's been pretty funny.”

One of the storms causing the muddy arena hit just after the rodeo let out, forcing Kevin Haley, 48, and his daughters to take shelter under the arena stands for a little less than an hour, looking at the wares of nearby vendors.

His kids, Jennifer, 13, Lauren, 16 and Kathleen, 19, all exclaimed that Jesse Jackson was their favorite rider.

“The girls thought he was cute,” Haley said.

The family planned to attend the Urban concert, and they plan on coming to the demolition derby this afternoon — when more storms are expected to roll through.

Shannon Krack and Kayla Bish, both 19, attended Saturday's rodeo and said they wouldn't change their Stampede plans due to the weather. They both saw Craig Morgan & Joe Nichols at the Stampede on Friday night and planned to stay for Urban's show Saturday.

“We don't make plans, we improvise,” Bish said. “If I go I drag her with me.”

Although Bish sees rodeos all the time, the Professional Bull Riders show was Krack's first. She said she thinks the bulls are smarter than they look.

“I think they actually know what they're doing,” Krack said. “I think they're in on it, and they enjoy every second of what's going on.”

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And finally we'd like to share an article we missed all about Marty Stuart's late Night Jam, held after the CMT awards. Thanks Marty for another great event.


Keith Urban, Vince Gill + More 'Jam' With Marty Stuart

There are always several common threads running through Marty Stuart's annual Late Night Jam, with the top two being fun and great music. This year's event was no exception. From the recognizable hits of Marty's career to the hot licks played by a 12-year-old up-and-coming guitar picker, fans were treated to an unforgettable evening of entertainment.

After performing a few songs, Marty paused to introduce "my friend Keith Urban." The crowd went wild as Keith hit the stage to sing and jam with Marty. At one point, Marty paused to say of his friend, "This man has been there to help from the very beginning when the flood hit Nashville, and he's always there when there's a cause he can help with."

Keith received a standing ovation as he left the stage, and was followed by another super musician, nine-year-old Kale Martin, the son of Marty's bass player, Paul Martin. Kale stepped forward to play 'Maple Leaf Rag' on the piano at the invitation of Marty, who was obviously blown away by the youngster's performance. A little later, Paul's 12-year-old son, March Martin, took the stage to showcase his expertise on lead guitar, keeping up lick for lick with Marty on his hit, 'Tempted.'

The night was heavy on young folks, with Marty's wife, Connie Smith, introducing the daughter of her former backup singer. "Please welcome Amber Digby," Connie said. "Amber's mother worked with me until she became pregnant with her."

"I'm not going to lie, I'm very nervous," Amber told the crowd, adding, "I grew up in Nashville and have been around music all my life but this is very exciting for me." The singer went on to do the Loretta Lynn song, 'Here I Am Again,' saying, "We've never done this together but we're gonna give it a try."

"Don't leave the stage, I want you to sing harmony with me on 'Once a Day," Connie said, introducing her 1964 No. 1 smash. "Your mama sang this one with me all the time."

Marty's first surprise guest of the evening was Gene Watson, who received a resounding response from the crowd as he walked on stage. "I can't believe I have to follow Connie Smith and Amber Digby," Gene said as he took the microphone. "It's a pleasure for me to be here with Marty, and to be on stage with these talented folks."

"Gene is a timeless singer who can tear the heart out of a song," Marty said. Gene performed his hit 'Farewell Party,' then joined Marty for a verse of Lefty Frizzell's 'If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time).'

During songwriter Dallas Frazier's performance of 'Elvira,' another surprise guest, Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys, came out to sing with him. The Oaks had the number one hit on the the song. Dallas also performed a few other tunes which had been hits for him, including Charley Pride's 'All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)' and Gene's '14 Carat Mind.'

At one point Marty turned to the audience and said, "It's nice to have legends as friends!" He recalled one of his first trips to Nashville as a teenager, when he arrived in town at 1:30 in the morning to find that his friend was not at the bus station to meet him. "I just started walking and I rounded the corner and there was the Ryman Auditorium. I was not expecting it and it almost brought me to my knees and tears to my eyes. I think for any country music fan that reaction would be the same."

Marty introduced songwriter/producer Cowboy Jack Clement as "the man who helped invent American music." Cowboy produced records at Sun Studios in Memphis before moving to Nashville to ply his trade. "I had a request to do this song so here goes," Cowboy said, launching into "Just a Girl I Used To Know." He also sang another tune he wrote,"Guess Things Happen That Way," which was a smash hit for Johnny Cash.

The audience once again came to their feet when Marty introduced Vince Gill, saying, "Talk about people whose hearts are in the right place.

"I've been knowing Marty since we were both teenagers," Vince quipped. "Only our hair was a lot darker back then."

Vince announced he was going to sing a cheating song, adding, "This is country music night so if you're with someone you shouldn't be, this song is for you." He sang 'Pocket Full of Gold." He then played a new song he has just written, saying he wanted Marty to hear it. He didn't provide the title but it was more than likely 'That's Just Who I Am.'

Gospel music is always included in Marty's Jam, and he and his band the Fabulous Superlatives did a few selections from their gospel album 'Soul's Chapel.' Marty also invited some of the previous performers back onstage to sing Hank Williams' 'I Saw the Light' and the classic 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken.'

The evening began at 10 PM and the last strains of music wafted out of the Ryman around 2:20 AM with Marty's 'Hillbilly Rock.' At the end of the night, Marty and his fans had raised more than $25,000 for MusiCares, which plans to use the funds to help the flood victims in Nashville. They also raised $4,000 for CMA's program, Keep the Music Playing, which encourages music education in public schools in Metro Nashville.