Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Updates 08/14/10

Keith Urban concert review, August 13 2010, Iowa State Fair, Des Moines Iowa

Blog post by Sophia Ahmad • sahmad@dmreg.com • August 13, 2010



The first Friday night Grandstand show of the 2010 Iowa State Fair was a time to throw back a cold one, hear an idol and see a star.

Country music singer Keith Urban headlined the concert and was preceded by “American Idol” season eight winner, Kris Allen.

Urban kicked of his set with “Kiss A Girl,” and within the first few familiar guitar strums, the crowd of 10,051 was on its feet, singing along.

A few sound flubs in the opener didn’t phase the seasoned musician. His style was laid back — he sometimes pointed out to fans, other times, he stepped back from the microphone to riff and engage in some emphatic foot-tapping.“Days Go By” ended with a brief strobe-light show, then Urban slowed things down with “Stupid Boy,” the second single off his 2006 album, “Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing.”
“Good evening, Des Moines … Are we feeling alright tonight?” Urban asked, amidcheers.

“It’s not raining, that’s good,” he said looking out to the sky which flashed lighting and emanated a menacing yellowish hue minutes before.

Friday’s concert was part of a three-day break from Urban’s studio sessions. He performs Saturday at the Indiana State Fair before returning back to record new material Monday, he said in a video posted to his website Thursday.

Kris Allen opened the concert with a fresh, bold sound that especially prepped the audience for the rock component of Urban’s country-rock sound. His 40-minute set included hits like “The Truth,” released from his self-titled debut album, and a toned-down version of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror,” the first song he sang on “American Idol.” “Live Like We’re Dying” was a crowd-pleaser, eliciting cheers from the stands.

Cy Chandavong, guitarist for Des Moines rock band Gimikk, was in attendance with his wife, Tina. Both are “huge” Urban fans, they said.

“My husband loves him as a guitarist. I’ve always loved his music — he sings great songs and he’s a great singer,” Tina Chandavong said.

In June 2009, Urban and Taylor Swift played to a sold-out crowd of 13,620 at Wells Fargo Arena. Footage from that show was used in the music video for “Only You Can Love Me This Way,” which was released in August that year.

Des Moines didn’t get a video shoot this time, but it still fared pretty well and was treated to an encore performance of the song.

“We shot this video right here in Des Moines!” Urban said, before launching into the ballad.





















http://twitpic.com/2eonu1: Mine and @kyrarae's goodies from the @KeithUrban concert last night!!! We're in love!

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From CMT.com's Chet Flippo, an interesting piece on labels going by a formula of acts that have recently broken through, rather than developing unique country music talent. Keith is not mentioned but Flippo reveals why it's so hard to get a chart-topping single when you're starting out and the battle every week for established artists.

"Radio has only so many slots for new songs, and it's a crowded house. These days, singles seem to take forever to climb the chart. Lee Brice's "Love Like Crazy" has just climbed to No. 5 on the Billboard country singles chart, and it has taken 51 weeks for that song to get there. That's the most extreme current example, but you see what I mean about limited room for newcomers. In 1988, there were 48 No. 1 country songs. In 2008, there were only 20."



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We've got some interesting audio tidbits from other country stars about Keith and Nicole!

Dierks Bentley talks about having a child around the same age as Sunday, and what parenthood has meant to dads like him and Keith. Click HERE to listen.

Emily West talks about Keith Urban and how little it took to get him to sing on her song "Blue Sky" and what the Capitol Nashville family means to her. She also dishes about her time on Celebrity Apprentice. Click HERE and scroll down to the 4/27/10 podcast.

Jason Aldean talks about what it was like to tour with Keith, and to sing an Eagles classic with him, but not the Dierks' way! Click HERE to listen.

Clay Walker talks about Keith Urban being his favorite current artist, the iPhone dad experience they shared, and what Nicole told his wife Jessica who was also pregnant at the 2008 ACM awards. Click HERE to listen.

























The Walkers on the ACM red carpet


And just for fun, since Nicole is gearing up for filming Trespass with Nicolas Cage, here's a clip of Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum, talking about her run-in with the actor. Click HERE to listen.

Keith Urban: 2010 Teen Choice Awards Winner!

Congratulations Keith!

In the country categories Keith won Best Male, Taylor Swift for best Female, and Lady Antebellum for Favorite Group.

The Teen Choice Awards will air tonight on FOX, 8pm EST, 7pm CST

Nashville Keeps On Playing Part III

So many amazing performances! Where we could find video we've posted it. Otherwise audio taken from live stream.










Brad Paisley covering Roger Miller's "River In The Rain"




Dierks Bentley with "You Hold Me Together"





Keb' Mo' and Chris Rodriguez singing "Better Man"




Kellie Pickler with "Making Me Fall In Love Again"




Martina McBride singing "Anyway"

Nashville Keeps On Playing

GAC's televised benefit for Middle Tennessee Flood Relief was a huge success, raising over $1.5 million dollars!!!

It was another great night of family and community. We saw Linda Davis in the audience, supporting her daughter in Lady Antebellum. Brad Paisley's father took donations over the phone, as did Keith and Nicole. And actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley also pitched in by co-hosting the event with Nashville native James Denton.
















Some memorable moments of the evening included seeing citizen's homes, a church, and veterinary hospital after the devastation...Kellie Pickler proudly wearing her I Heart Nashville tee while performing (you can get them HERE)....GAC host Suzanne Alexander and WKRN talent Neil Orne joking about having the hard task of being seated next to Nicole Kidman at the phone lines....Kim and James having to deal with live tv....everyone standing for the continuous stream of outstanding performances....everyone standing for those who helped the flood victims in every way possible.

It was a night not to miss and a night for great music. Tonight we'll get things started by sharing Keith Urban's double performance of The Beatles' "Help", followed by his hit "Better Life". More performances up tomorrow. Enjoy!




Adam Richman: (Deep Breath) Backstage watching Keith Urban, standing next to Sheryl Crow and Nicole Kidman. At this point birthday gifts seem redundant!

GAC Live Nashville Flood Benefit Tonight

A Benefit Concert to Help the
Flood Victims of Middle Tennessee
LIVE on GAC & GACTV.com Sunday, May 16 at 8pm ET

GAC has teamed up with the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Gaylord Entertainment and an incredible lineup of artists to present: Music City Keep on Playin' – A Benefit for Flood Relief.

The concert will take place at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium. All money raised will go to those in need in Middle Tennessee. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will be the organization processing and distributing donations.

Artists performing include Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Kellie Pickler, and more.


If you don't have GAC you can see the benefit live and streaming on your computer. Click HERE to watch starting at 7pm CT/ 8pm ET.

Urban Myths' Hoosierlady: An Example Of The Skeptic Sickness

Is Urban Myths reader hoosierlady an old or new skeptic? Doesn't matter. Does she love or did she ever love Keith Urban? She says she doesn't. But again it doesn't matter.

After claiming she has friends who lost family members in the floods this is what is coming from her mouth. This is what slithers out after people in her personal circle have died. Skeptic hate knows no bounds.

hoosierlady: Did they come here to argue? Because I, for one, do not have time.

We were perfectly happy, and hurting NO ONE, (to my knowledge, did anyone phone you?), in our own little world, having our little fun, watching our favorite person "teeing up" (snort) for another implosion, when BOOM! the sudden influx of 'monkeyshines'.

I could care less about Keith Urban, but, when you try to make this PR prostitute into some sort of male Madonna I can't just sit here and drink my coffee, it is a little bitter after people I know personally have lost family members in this flood.

Do not preach to us about these two and our opinions of them. For every fawn you have and have no trouble making us read about, trust me, we have equal ammunition to tear them down. You do not want to go there, and even if you do, we have already been there, done that, and I for one, do not want to do remedial education for anyone at this time.

Actually, you are becoming a bit like those nasty gnat things that you get after a flood, you know, the ones that bite? But, never fear, a little Burts' Lemon Balm and we're good as new.

Urban Myths-poll, please. How many want idol worship, and how many would like to have open conversation regarding the ongoing onslaught of media opportunities, bad films, bad clothing choices, makeup, underclothing, and anything else we damn well choose to speak of without fear of the PMS brigade blowing up our computers?

This used to be such a pleasant place to come home too.

Sorry to have ruined your fun but you are one sick puppy. Get some help for your hate.




This is what it's all about.....



Thanks to Lady Antebellum for spreading the word on Youtube. The flood still has not gotten the coverage it deserves. And please, no whining that Lady A are famewhores putting their hit song "I Run To You" underneath the video. We've heard that crap all before. Oh yeah you skeptics won't say that because it's not a Keith Urban song!

Be sure to tune into Channel 4 Nashville tonight for the Vince Gill & Friends flood relief telethon. If you aren't in the local viewing area you can watch the broadcast online at WSMV.COM

Nicole Kidman: Skeptic Whopper Edition

Oh dear readers, the skeptics and maclen have played right into our hands. It's almost as if they want to be told they are bold face liars. Well they are. Now that the ACM dust has settled they are back on Nicole, back to old-fashioned lies anyone with a brain can debunk. Haters you might want to keep those fingers in your ears, we're going to be a while.

Let's Skewer Some Skeptics....and Inept Team Maclen!

The biggest myth they are spinning is that Nicole snubbed Gwyneth Paltrow and now Paltrow left the Danish Girl project. This story has been debunked 100 times over. Let's look at the facts

1. Nicole has known Gwyneth for some 15 years
2. Nicole wasn't in Nashville when the made-up snub supposedly happened

But Inept Team Maclen: Party Of One is holding onto dear life posting what he calls "news".....it's really gossip sites fool!

maclen: Gwyneth Paltrow Tired of Nicole Kidman!

http://gossip.whyfame.com/gwyneth-paltrow-divorces-nicole-kidman-4313

Gwyneth Paltrow "Divorces" Nicole Kidman!

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/gwyneth-paltrow-quits-the-danish-girl-after-nicole-kidmans-cold-reception-in-nashville/story-e6frf96o-1225855287444

Gwyneth Paltrow quits The Danish Girl, after Nicole Kidman's cold reception in Nashville


This is his proof. More gossip sites that get it wrong.

Even hit n run who posts on Urban Myths as Tara thinks she can get away with lying

nit n run: erniesmom, there was media buzz the first part of March that Paltrow had been in Nashville for five weeks making a film. She asked NK several times if they could get together - you know, because thats KUNK's home and all - and NK snubbed her. Wouldn't meet with her. Next thing you know, Paltrow pulls out of the film. So the film has been shelved and probably won't get made anytime soon. That leaves NK with no films, no offers to date, and nothing to promote.

It's nothing but lies as you can see. Danish Girl is not shelved. Paltrow left and we have the full quote from the Bazaar article maclen twisted out of context.

Bazaar: Gwyneth has also significantly scaled back her film obligations. With daughter Apple, six, and son Moses, four, both in school, shuttling the pair around the globe has proven to be, well, exhausting. "Some days I feel like everyone in my world has plugged themselves into my kidneys. I'm so tired," she says with a sigh. She even pulled out of a movie with Nicole Kidman, The Danish Girl. With the shoot changing locales, Gwyneth found it too taxing for her little ones. Not to mention that her husband, Coldplay's Chris Martin, has an equally complex tour schedule.

It's amazing what we said days ago, Paltrow having school-aged children, is what made her come to her decision. But readers there's more! Some of you may have heard of the Gossip Cop. If you haven't he's a former reporter who actually makes the effort to verify whether gossip stories are true. And surprise surprise what does he have to say about this one? It's a big fat goose egg!


Gwyneth Paltrow Didn’t Get Rejected by Nicole Kidman

Did frost between Gwyneth Paltrow and Nicole Kidman lead Paltrow to drop out of their planned film together, The Danish Girl?

That’s what the Daily Mail wants you to think.

After citing Paltrow’s public comments about wanting to spend more time with hubby Chris Martin and their two children as the reason behind her departure, the newspaper also alleges she had “failed to bond with co-star Nicole.”

Kidman lives in Nashville not far from where Paltrow has been working on her latest movie. “Gwyneth made the effort to get in touch with Nicole but Nicole declined,” claims a Daily Mail source.

“It would have been nice for Nicole to make the effort.”

What would have been “nice” is for the Daily Mail to resist the temptation to invent a feud where none exists.

A representative for Paltrow assures Gossip Cop the actress pulled out of The Danish Girl because the production schedule had become too problematic.

“There are no bad feelings between Nicole and Gwyneth at all,” we’re told. Kidman herself understands how difficult it is to balance family and career and “completely gets it,” adds the rep, as would “any actress with small children.”

Gossip Cop

Amazing! It's incredible a story that made no sense from beginning to end isn't true in the first place!


And speaking of made-up stories, how many times have we heard from the skeptics they don't believe Twitter. Everyone's a paid plant, all the accounts are fake with people spending days posting fake tweets not about KUNK, just so they can post ONE and everyone will believe them. Suuuure. The best part is that now they have all chimed in saying Twitter is useless, self-absorbed, and egotistical. We're sure the people of Iran feel differently. And we're sure the skeptics decided to trash Twitter after a tweet showed up linking to a video of Keith and Nicole leaving Whole Foods together where they are often sighted eating lunch. Skeptics can even be skewered outside this blog! But we noticed something interesting. ACM night, at the MGM Grand Pool after party, someone tweeted this

http://twitter.com/Levijax
"looking around the pool tonight I see Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Dierks Bently, darius rucker & Lady A... what a night!"

Now of course the skeptics don't believe it. Nicole at an music industry party. An excited attendee saying they saw her and Urban? Impossible. Paid KUNK employee, right? Well later on they tweeted this

"Charles from Lady A just dove in the pool, fully dressed!"

Another outrageous tweet? Nope. Video of this was posted the same day on Lady Antebellum's official Youtube channel



This party was also where Keith made the fans his thank you video and was spotted talking shop with friends and fellow labelmates.















dumbfounded: There were two distinct audience shots of Mr. and Mrs. Doofus last night. Both looked like he was about ready to strangle her. I'm not being biased or anything...he truly looked disgusted with her, especially when she wasn't clapping for Carrie until the camera was on her.I couldn't help but sing, "Oh when the body paint, goes marching in, oh when the body paint goes marching in..." She just looks weird. It's like she's trying to be the popular girl again at a 30 year reunion. Dumb.

You mean these shots where he was looking past his wife and where he wasn't disgusted? BAHAHAHAHA! We can get out the tape but it's not necessary. You're lying as usual!







With more Nicole Kidman career news the skeptics lies go down in flames. It's been reported that Simon Kinberg, one of Kidman's creative partners, has gotten a first-look deal with Fox Studios.

Variety

What does this mean for Kidman? Well as a screenwriter, and now possible producer, Kinberg can develop his projects with a major studio keenly interested. He is working with Kidman on a film called The Eighth Wonder, an action adventure film with Kidman in the starring role. This is on top of her producing duties for Monte Carlo, promotion for Rabbit Hole, and future films Danish Girl, The Look Of Love Dusty Springfield project, and How To Marry A Millionaire. There are rumors Drew Barrymore could be co-starring with Kidman in Millionaire. Quite an interesting pairing! Let's not forget there are always films in the works that want Kidman that we will never hear about until after the fact or that she will pass on. Case in point: Bel Ami with Robert Pattinson. We didn't hear anything of it until after it was revealed scheduling couldn't be worked out and Uma Thurman took Kidman's place. But that's the way the industry works and what the skeptics fail to acknowledge. Getting a film together can happen at a snail's pace or at breakneck speed. Those not directly involved with the projects do have to wait for information, even if you are living in Los Angeles and working in the business. So no one is fooled that these "insiders" on an E! Online Gossip Board and Urban Myths blog have any idea what is really going on. IN fact they just invent it as they go along, whether it contradicts what they said two days ago or not!

Nicole Kidman's popular and successful international Omega watch campaign marches on with a new ad fully displayed outside in a shopping district in Shanghai, China. Shanghai will begin it's World Expo in May with millions of tourists expected to visit the city. Who knows how many will see this ad!



















And finally we said the E! online skeptics were going back to basics. Well we can't resist sharing their idiocy here. Yes, it's paid plants and plastic surgery time again. Nicole Kidman is medical marvel, having procedures done, reversed, done again, and healing in record time. Enjoy everyone!


nomorefan: The forehead to forehead shots are really getting old. You don't see couples doing that on the red carpet, but in Nine Lips' case, she can control that pose because she is the one that towers over the other. Still not understanding why they can't look and pose for the camera, but considering his songs are about bubble gum love, what else should we expect from these two? Not a mature love whatsoever.

hit n run: She got slammed so hard for all the botox it looked like she decided to go for a face lift instead. I first noticed it when she changed to the red hair. Its not just her profile thats effected. Her eyes look different too. She also had that "worm" removed from her upper lip and replaced it with some other procedure that isn't quite as bad. I think she was hoping that it would all help her get a movie role. But she looks worse than ever. She doesn't even take a decent picture anymore. She just looks weird. JMO Did you notice the blood shot eyes are back? I wonder what causes that.

dumbfounded: I have figured out what's different about her. It's her side profile. I bet skank has had a face lift. It's a weird profile now.Anyone else notice it?

cricket1700: Living with her is aging him very fast. About 5 years for every year he's wasted with her.

hit n run: Shes taken the facial procedures too far. She doesn't even photograph well anymore. Cher looked better than she did. Keith had on as much makeup as she did. And he was obviously wearing elevator shoes (with lifts on the inside that can make you 4 to 5 inches taller, even in tennis shoes). Also, those "screamers" in the audience have to be a plant. If they like him that much they'd buy his CD. JMO

jakra777: If I can butt in here. I dont think she is ever in Nashville. I have some friends there and they say they dont see her often. So maybe Paltrow kept asking but she wasnt there to answer.


hit n run: Jakra777, its obvious she doesn't really live in Nashville. She only goes there when she has to. She probably didn't want Paltrow to give her away. JMO


Paltrow's people couldn't get in touch with Nicole's people? BAHAHAHAHA!

















Outside of Green Hills Whole Foods




P.S. Isn't it amazing that an award show featuring two insignificant and fading stars can bring so many posters out of the woodwork!!!! One big nut is back again and off her meds!