Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban Updates 09/21/10

Filming continues for Trespass. The set had two of its actors absent for TIFF, Nicole and Liana Liberato, who went to Toronto for Trust, with Clive Owen and Catherine Keener.

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Urban, Kidman, Midler and More Support Mayor's Fund

Auction Lots including items from Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler and Mariska Hargitay are up for grabs in support of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City.

The CharityBuzz auction will benefit New York City’s Family Justice Centers, serving victims of domestic violence and their children, as well as New York City Housing Authority’s Early Childhood programs, which provide children in public housing communities with high-quality early care and learning opportunities.

Featuring a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences and merchandise, the auction can be found online at www.charitybuzz.com/fete until October 6.

The benefit auction includes exclusive experiences such as a backstage tour at Rachael Ray's show and lunch with her after the taping; tickets to Jerry Seinfeld's Atlantic City show followed by a meet and greet with the comedian; set visits of shows including Law & Order: SVU; VIP sports and travel packages; Broadway and runway show tickets and much more.

Other top auction lots that bidders can win include:

* Lunch at Le Cirque with fashion maven Tim Gunn and New York’s own eye on celebrities Liz Smith
* Jewelry from renowned designers including Me&Ro and Jennifer George
* Set tours of hit shows including Two and a Half Men; and a chance to play an extra on Curb Your Enthusiasm
* An internship with famed fashion design house Donna Karan International in NYC
* A special dinner with NYC restaurant gurus Tim and Nina Zagat
* Courtside seats to see the New York Knicks and rinkside to the Rangers
* A chance to see watch the NY Yankees from the Delta Skybox and sit courtside at a NY Knicks game
*An outfit Mary J. Blige wore at the Lilith Fair concert tour in July 2010
* Tickets to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and a meet and greet with the host
* Guitars signed by Keith Urban and Sting

Online bidding is open to the public through October 6th. Bidders must complete a simple registration process with a valid credit card at www.charitybuzz.com to place a bid.

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City’s online auction also compliments the 2010 Fete de Swifty benefit, taking place in NYC on September 29. Honorary Chairs are Mary J. Blige, Tim Gunn, Mariska Hargitay, Nicole Kidman, John Starks, Steve Stoute and Malik Yoba. To purchase tickets to the event, go to www.nyc.gov/fund or call 212-788-7794.


To see Keith and Nicole's auction page click HERE

To view more auction listings click HERE



More on Fete De Swifty!


There are only 20 more days until the 7th Annual Fete de Swifty!

A bit about what happened at the 6th Annual Fete de Swifty:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Columnist Liz Smith, Mayor’s Fund Board Chair Rob Speyer and President Megan Sheekey today kicked off the Sixth Annual Fete de Swifty benefit in Manhattan. The event, founded by Liz Smith and hosted by the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, raises money to support the Family Justice Center Initiative, administered by the Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence. The initiative reduces barriers faced by victims of domestic abuse, allowing them to access a variety of services, such as prosecutorial, counseling, housing and financial assistance, under one roof. Mayor Bloomberg opened the first Family Justice Center in Brooklyn in 2005. In 2007, a second center opened in Queens, and the City’s third center will open in the Bronx this winter 2010.

This year’s Fete de Swifty Honorary Chairs were Tim Gunn, Mariska Hargitay and Nicole Kidman.




Our Annual Benefit Gears Up!

Help support the Family Justice Center Initiative and New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) youth programs by purchasing tickets to our upcoming benefit, taking place on September 29th. This year’s honorary chairs are Mary J. Blige, Tim Gunn, Mariska Hargitay, Nicole Kidman, John Starks, Steve Stoute, and Malik Yoba.

Fundraising proceeds will aid the City’s Family Justice Centers in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, which have served over 45,500 victims of domestic violence to date with approximately 1,600 new clients each month. This year, the benefit will also support NYCHA youth initiatives, including literacy and health programs for youth aged one to three and afterschool activities for grades K through three.
To purchase tickets or donate, go to www.nyc.gov/fund or call 212-788-7794.

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Keith's Studio Sessions

Continuing The Process



For more photos click on link above.

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A Canadian fashion designer cites Nicole as one of her fashion icons!

Designer of the Day: Eva Chen

Label: Eva Chen

Fashion school: Luxun Fine Art University

Theme of your new collection: Muse No. 10.

Colours, fabrics and silhouettes in your new collection: Mainly white and black with muted accents.

Style icons whom you most admire: Nicole Kidman.

Celebrity you’d love to see in your clothes: Sarah Jessica Parker.

Three classic, versatile pieces that should be in every wardrobe: Well-fitted jeans, classic blazer, and little black dress.

How has your life been touched by breast cancer?

My aunt had a serious case of breast cancer. The whole experience, including the surgery and its after-effects, was very painful for her physically and emotionally. I have empathy for those with breast cancer and their family members, and I want to do whatever I can to help ease the suffering and promote a cure.

Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Updates 09/12/10

The Grand Ole Opry announced their grand re-opening this morning in a press conference held to place the history circle back in place. Brad Paisley and Little Jimmy Dickens spoke with excitement about the re-opening. The Opry will return home on September 28th featuring a star-studded line-up including Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, Jason Aldean & many many more! Tickets are on sale NOW.

The Opry will also host an open house on Saturday, October 2. The open house will be free and the public is invited to attend! The Grand Ole Opry is very proud of the work that has taken place over the past few months since the terrible flood and wants to thank the public for their support. The Band Perry will perform on the Opry Square Plaza as well! It’s going to be a memorable day and we can’t wait to see the transformation!


GAC will be airing the special event at the following times

September 28, 2010 9:00 PM ET
September 29, 2010 1:00 AM ET
September 29, 2010 10:00 AM ET
September 29, 2010 4:00 PM ET
October 02, 2010 2:00 PM ET



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Another tidbit on Nicole's film Rabbit Hole

THE DAYLIGHTS SYNCH RABBIT HOLE

This past year Los Angeles rock band, The Daylights created a seven song project for Twenty Ten Music. We love these songs! Thanks to our partners Secret Road, the song “Oh-Oh” was placed in the upcoming film RABBIT HOLE, starring Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, and Sandra Oh.

The Daylights full-length releases September 14th, 2010. Watch for the band on tour with Civil Twilight and Needtobreathe.

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As film festivals approach we always get conflicting opinions on how good a fest will be, how will the films perform, what is worthy of distribution, awards etc etc.

Although we've already heard certain films including Rabbit Hole are front runners to be snatched up by distributors, here's a piece that takes a pessimistic look in general at the climate of Toronto.

RH, like most of the films, is briefly mentioned. Some of the responses to the article are...to be nice we'll say...interesting.

Climate For Deals At Toronto Feels Gloomy

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Michael Caine is releasing an autobiography and an excerpt has been put out online. Nicole and some other lovely ladies have been mentioned.

Michael Caine - Daily Mail

"I have a list of younger actresses that I love to work with and Charlize is right at the top, along with Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé Knowles and Scarlett Johannson.I was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award in 1999 for my role in Cider House."

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DizMihok: Nic Kidman and Cage doing their thang along with Ben Mendelsohn, Jordana Spiro, Cam Gigandet, Liana Liberato #Trespass

(an actor in Trespass http://dashmihok.com/)


ntortorellacom: Nico has been casted in Joel Schumacher's new film Trespass also starring Nicole Kidman, Nicholas Cage and Cam Gigandet http://bit.ly/aHvebz

TheMarkCrawford: Nicole Kidman's Saints Game Watching Party (@ Chianti Restaurant) http://4sq.com/aSUsAq

NashGirl01: Whoo-hoo! My second Keith and Nicole sighting at Whole Foods!

JayVenom: OMG! I got a call bak to go audition for the movie ''Trespass'' starring Nicole Kidman! :D so excited wish me luck!

Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Updates 09/08/10

CMT Live's Cody Alan is getting a chance to preview Keith's new single "Put You In a A Song" today and will report back tonight on his show.

cmtcody: bfast w/ @keithurban to hear his new song- will tell u what I think tonite! I like my eggs scrambled. Wonder how KU like his eggs? #fb

@keithurban likes his eggs any way, just "well cooked!" #fb

@keithurban says hearing his name at an awards show is an "out of body experience." more on my bfast w/KU tonite and his new song Mon #fb

He's also interviewing Keith for Thursday's show

Click HERE to find out where to listen.

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Looking for a station to watch Keith's live interview on the 13th just before PYIAS hits the airwaves?

KILT out of Houston is already promoting that they'll be carrying the live interview

Click HERE for more info.

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whateverittakes.orghas added some new products Nicole's helped design for them like this cute tote bag



Proceeds go to 21st Century Leaders and UNICEF. Click HERE to go to Nicole's product page.

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The Peace Day website is reporting that Nicole will be a part of their festivities with a message as UNIFEM ambassador. Many other celebrity ambassadors are reported to be taking part September 17-21. No word yet on when Nicole's message will air.

For more info on the event click HERE

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We have footage of Moulin Rouge! at the 20th Century Fox celebration



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Rabbit Hole has made The Playlist's blog one of the top anticipated films at TIFF

The Playlist

Rabbit Hole" - Director John Cameron Mitchell leads Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart as a young couple trying to cope with the accidental death of their young son in what Mitchell described as an anti-Hollywood production and a personal project (Mitchell lost a brother at a similar age and felt a deep connection with the adaptation of David Lindsay-Abaire's award-winning stage play).The picture also stars Dianne Wiest and Sandra Oh and almost featured a score by Final Fantasy aka Owen Pallet, a sometime member of the Arcade Fire and violinist, and it appeared he recorded some material, but then became too busy to complete the full score. He has since been replaced by Anton Sanko. Also, Nicole Kidman gave up a chance to star in Woody Allen's "You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger" which she initially was cast in, but left that project in favor of "Rabbit Hole."

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Nicole has updated her website with a new story from Haiti

The Women of Kay Famn



Ines (UNIFEM’s Executive Director) and I met and spoke with a small group of Haitian young women who had all experienced sexual violence. Yolette Jeanty, the inspirational head of Kay Fanm who runs the shelter, helped the girls feel safe enough to talk to us. One said she’d been attacked by two men, another spoke about running from violence in her home and finding shelter at Reviv. It’s hard for these young girls to talk about what happened and it’s extremely affecting. Thankfully, when they talked about what they want to be their faces changed – the pain replaced by hope for their future. They inspired me and so I wanted to share that with all of you.

Much love, Nic

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We've got a small update on Just Go With It, Nicole's movie with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. Co-star Nick Swardson gave an interview which gives us more info on some of the supporting characters. Heidi Montag's character is apparently married to Kevin Nealon's character, the plastic surgery addict. JGWI is set to release on February 11th, 2011.

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Some fun tidbits

http://erikwillits.com/wordpress/?p=986

Labor Day…
Sep 6th, 2010

Well i actually labored on labor day. Many of you know i work at the Cheesecake Factory part-time. It’s a good gig. They are super flexible, i hardly worked at all this summer and they were cool with it. Admittedly i’m ready to be done with the side gig but for not it’s perfect. I did have to work labor day however! Boooo… i know, know! But the perks were, #1. i met Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman. When i say meet them it was more like this; Nicole, ”Ummm. i was suppose to be getting a salad?” Keith, “Yea, i got my food and she didn’t get hers. We thought it was weir they didn’t come out at the same time.” (is an amazing Australian acsent of course) Me, “Oh, so sorry about that. It would be on it’s way but i will double check for you.” As i was walking away the salad got their and kept us from becoming best buds. But we hung out non-the-less. ;-) #2. the dude from Orange County Chopper was in as well. We didn’t to hang out but it’s cool seeing a non-music semi-superstar. Other than that it was a crappy day to be stuck inside!


JillUsrey: Had a quiet, but exciting night at work. The exciting: I did Nicole Kidman's Stand-In's hair. I did Kidman Hair!

Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Updates 09/02/10

***MORE UPDATES*** We've added Keith's full performances from the 2010 CMA Fest ("Help From My Friends" and "I'm In"), a new interview, Keith in Rock Band 2, and a tweet from AI alumnus Katharine McPhee....the Urbans are now all in Shreveport!




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Thanks to a random poster on Youtube, we found out Keith's hit "Days Go By" will be included in the new edition of the video game Rock Band!

Dierks Bentley—“What Was I Thinkin’”
Eric Church – “Hell on the Heart”
Jamey Johnson – “Women”
Josh Turner – “Would You Go With Me”
Keith Urban – “Days Go By”
Lady Antebellum – “Lookin’ For a Good Time”
Laura Bell Bundy – “Rebound”
Reba McEntire – “Fancy”
Sugarland – “It Happens”

For Keith's page click HERE

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Urban keeps the spirit of country music alive

By Brent Hallenbeck, Free Press Staff Writer • Thursday, September 2, 2010

His name may evoke the city, but the music of Keith Urban (above left) is rooted in the country.

Or is it? The winner of multiple Country Music Association awards (as well as a couple of Grammys), who’s playing Saturday at the Champlain Valley Fair, talked last week by phone from Nashville about how his music and country music in general have a lot to do with pop sounds, and vice versa. He also found time before catching a flight to a gig in Minneapolis to discuss his famous wife, Oscar­winning actress Nicole Kidman, with whom he was rumored to be buying a house in Vermont a few years ago (Urban owns no property in Vermont, according to his publicists).

Burlington Free Press: I’ve been listening to your most recent album, last year’s “Defying Gravity,” and it reminds me a lot of ’80s pop music by the likes of Richard Marx and .38 Special.

You’ve also played lately with people such as John Mayer and Alicia Keys. That’s not exactly country, is it?

Keith Urban: Country, since the dawning of it, has really cross-pollinated with the pop genre. Pop is really just popular music. It’s always been an evolutionary genre, which is why it’s remained so popular but also strong and quite diverse.

A song like “Wichita Lineman” or “Galveston,” when you think about a big lush string section, it’s certainly not Hank Williams. In the ’60s people were up in arms about the lack of purity of the genre, and through the ’70s with the outlaw movement. It’s always had it; every decade has always had it.

BFP: And then you’ve got the ’50s, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley and the whole Million Dollar Quartet thing.

KU: Then you’re tapping into the connection of everything — rock, blues, gospel, jazz.

BFP: But you can’t be country — you don’t even wear a Stetson.

KU: Certainly years ago I was asked about that. When you think about Johnny Cash or George Jones or Glen Campbell, not a hat in sight. That’s got a long history, too.

BFP: How do you define the term “country music”?

KU: For me it’s more the spirit of the music. There’s something in the way the song’s written, the way it’s produced and sung, the instrumentation to a certain degree. There is some element that seems to have more people than not defining it as country. At the end of the day the public defines it, and whether that label even matters.

BFP: But it’s not just fans or music journalists labeling you that way, it’s also the industry that refers to you as country.

KU: The core of my music has always been that. It’s where I come from. I was raised with way more of a country sound than I probably have today. A lot of musicians, from Tim McGraw to Faith Hill, their early records sound way more country than they do now.

BFP: I was reading that, back home in Australia, you played country music but also some surf-rock-styled music.

KU: My grounding there in my teens was in country.

When I got to be 15, 16, and playing in the pubs, I had to play with a bit more attitude, so I incorporated a little Creedence Clearwater Revival, John Mellencamp, The Eagles, Jackson Browne. Even with the rock stuff I was incorporating a little West Coast sound.

BFP: You’ve been doing some studio work recently, right?

KU:We’re working on the next record right now and we’re probably well past the halfway point. We’ll have new music in the next couple of months, a new album by the end of the year.

BFP: What’s it like?
“Defying Gravity” was confident and upbeat.

KU: It may be too early to tell. We recorded a lot of songs and we’re deciding which ones may constitute a new album. At this stage I would say it’s not a radical departure. I can’t even put my finger on what it is now. It’s just a new record (laughs). It’s not a radical departure. It’s perhaps a bit deeper. It’s a sexier record.

BFP: What do you think made it turn out that way?

KU: I guess just the family that my wife (Nicole Kidman) and I are in with each other and with our little girl (Sunday Rose). Having a child and being in a marriage that’s really growing has deeply influenced and affected my music, that’s for sure.

BFP: But “Defying Gravity” had that flavor, too, of celebrating your new family.

KU: I love boy/girl songs.

They’re timeless. There’s something a bit more musically deeper on this record, that’s probably a better way to put it.

BFP: Does your wife ever attend your concerts in faraway places like, oh, say, Vermont?

KU: You never know.

She’s actually shooting a film right now in Louisiana (“Trespass” with Nicolas Cage). She hasn’t got a lot of free travel time.

BFP: You haven’t done any acting of your own, have you?

KU: I think the more I watch her work the more I love my job.

BFP: Why is that?

KU: I just love music. It’s my passion, it’s my calling. I don’t really have any major aspirations for anything else.

BFP: Is it also that acting looks like hard work?

KU: It is hard work. I think the hardest part is being at the mercy of so many other variables. What I love about my job is I get to write songs the way I want and play them the way I want. The art I make makes it all the way to the people the way I intended it. With actors, half their performances end up on the cutting-room floor.

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Thanks to a reader for this scan of Country Weekly's feature of the Story Behind The Song. They interview Radney Foster's "I'm In" co-writer Georgia Middleman. Middleman got the idea for the song from watching the Matt Damon / Ben Affleck film Good Will Hunting!

"When "I'm In" came on, he [Keith] told Nicole that he needed to write a song like that for his next record. She said 'Well why don't you just cut that one'? "

"Somebody told me once to throw away the first song you write because it won't be any good. This was the first song Radney and I wrote together. I'm glad I didn't listen to them, because they were wrong! This song felt so good, and we knew it was special. It started our writing relationship. I am so thankful for this song and Keith...and Nicole!"

Although it looks like "I'm In" will be a #2 hit single for Keith, it is a special song and deserves some attention.

So....as a special treat, here's a live version of "I'm In" sung by Radney Foster and Abra Moore.






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Production on Trespass in Shreveport has begun, although filming with the leads has not quite started. Here's a few tidbits!

jazzajenn: I am officially a stand-in for Nicole Kidman for the movie "Trespass"!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!! about 12 hours ago via Facebook


Ascot Elite nabs 'Trespass'
Schumacher thriller stars Cage, Kidman
By ED MEZA


BERLIN -- Swiss distrib Ascot Elite has acquired all German-speaking rights to Joel Schumacher's upcoming thriller "Trespass," starring Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman.

The NuImage/Millennium title, which is due to begin production next week in Louisiana, centers on a husband and wife taken hostage by four brutal kidnappers seeking easy cash. Complications ensue amid the unexpected discovery of betrayal and deception.

Ascot also picked up Michael Winnick's "Guns Girls and Gambling," starring Gary Oldman and Christian Slater. Produced by Bob Yari, the pic involves the search for a priceless American Indian artifact stolen during a poker game at an Indian casino. Sam Trammell ("True Blood") and Dane Cook also star.

CEO Ralph Dietrich: "We are always looking for unique projects. 'Trespass' and 'Guns, Girls and Gambling' are definitely two of those."

Ascot Elite recently launched its new German theatrical arm Ascot Elite Filmverleih, which will release its first title, Rodrigo Cortes' "Buried," starring Ryan Reynolds, this fall.


Interview with Trespass director Joel Schumacher

'Esti Ginzburg should be a Bond girl'

"I have been loved quite a lot throughout my life, but I don't think I'm good at relationships. I'm good at friendships, but I'm not the marrying type. Today I'm just old."

Schumacher is currently in Louisiana, where he is shooting his new film "Trespass".

"It’s a thriller about a family whose house is broken into. During the break-in, those present discover many secrets and lies about their life," he explains.

The new film stars two actors who have worked with Schumacher before: Nicole Kidman ("Batman Forever") and Nicolas Cage ("8MM").

"Nicole and Nicolas have become younger, while I've grown older," he complains. "Since we worked together, each of them has gotten married. Both Nicole and Nicolas have a baby at home now, and they seem very happy."

The thriller is being produced by Hollywood's "Israeli gang": Avi Lerner, Danny Dimbort, and Boaz Davidson.

"Since I have made many films with producer Arnon Milchan as well, I am in fact officially Israeli," Schumacher jokes.

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Keith Urban on his 2010 CMA nominations

Keith Urban already has six CMA trophies, but he remained humbled by his latest nominations for male vocalist and entertainer of the year.

"I just found out about the noms," he said. "Man, what can I say? Huge massive thank you to everyone who not only made these nominations possible but also brought a whole new level of passion to our shows this year. ... From the fans to country radio to the Nashville community, I appreciate it more than you can possibly imagine."

CMT News

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Nicole is once again involved with a cancer charity! As we blogged previously, Nicole has been a Patron Breast Cancer Awareness for Cancer Research UK The organization is gearing up for its new 2010 campaign.

'Nicole Kidman has backed survival fight - now we need you'

by James Nadal

A NICOLE Kidman backed charity has issued a rallying cry to men, women and children to 'Join the fight for women's survival'.

Cancer Research UK has launched the seventh Henley and Marlow Stride.

The seven mile walking event along the River Thames takes place on Sunday October 3.

Stride spokesman Jo Patching said an an army of celebrities including Australian actress Miss Kidman and other Hollywood stars had signed up to the 'fight'.

“We need everyone in the local area to ‘Join the fight for women’s survival’”, she said.

“Our research is beating breast cancer. We need you to help us fight harder – local events such as this beautiful walk along the Thames is a perfect way to raise money, spend time with family and friends and keep fit.”

Participants will start either at Remenham Farm, Henley, or Higginson Park, Marlow, and will be offered a free shuttle bus for the return.

To get a free Cancer Research UK fundraising pack, visit www.jointhefight.org.uk or call 08701 60 20 40.


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DJ Laurel Edwards has another tale from Nashville. Listen all the way to the end to find out how Keith fits into the story!

Laurel and the Singing Cabbie

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Nicole has added more photos from her UNIFEM trip to Haiti on her official MySpace page. Click HERE to view the photo album.


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As we noted in months previous, Nicole's film Rabbit Hole sold quite well at the Cannes Film Festival for international distribution. It was rumored that Fox held the domestic distribution rights. However, that is now incorrect as we have found out RH is up for grabs at Toronto.

Rabbit Hole is, according to IonCinema's editor-in-chief Eric Lavallee, the #1 pick for films looking for domestic distribution. He lists his Top 20 choices HERE

The Gist: Based on David Lindsay-Abaire's Broadway play, the story concerns a happily married couple, Becca (Kidman) and Howie (Eckhart), trying to cope with the death of their only child, a four-year-old who was killed in an auto accident. They go through an intensely emotional, redemptive journey they must undertake to regain happiness. Supporting cast includes: Dianne Wiest, Miles Teller, Tammy Blanchard and Sandra Oh.

Director: John Cameron Mitchell -- Sales Agent: Odd Lot Int.

Selling Point: She shines best when she works in commercial failures (e.g.: Birth, Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus and Margot at the Wedding), and my feeling is this could be an example of Kidman asserting herself as one of the tops in the game. TIFF audiences and critics will help determine whether this is Oscar territory.

Suited For: A studio who is not afraid to go into deep dramatic terrain.

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And congratulations to....

Dann Huff for his CMA nomination for Musician of The Year!

and

Monty Powell for his new publishing deal!

Monty Powell Chooses ole for Catalog and Futures

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 1, 2010) - ole one of the world's largest independent music publishers, has concluded a catalog purchase and worldwide co-publishing deal with prolific songwriter and producer, Monty Powell.

Powell has been responsible for hit songs that have helped drive the sales of more than 50 million albums in total by artists like Restless Heart ("Dancy's Dream"), Diamond Rio ("Norma Jean Riley," "Nowhere Bound"), Billy Ray Cyrus ("Could Have Been Me"), Brooks & Dunn ("I Am That Man"), Tim McGraw ("One of These Days"), Chris Cagle ("What A Beautiful Day," "Miss Me Baby") and Keith Urban ("Days Go By," "Tonight I Wanna Cry"). Powell has collaborated as co-writer with some of the hottest artists in the music world such as Keith Urban (his new album due in November; Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker.

"I'm excited about ole as a company," says Powell, a native of Georgia, who currently lives in Nashville. "I think they've positioned themselves exactly the way that a company needs to be: playing the type of ball that the majors play, playing at the level they play, but playing with an independent mindset. That's one of the reasons why they've been successful. I think they're going to be the force in music publishing in the near future because they move nimbly and have a very interesting capital structure. It's just a completely different model and I'm all about new models. These guys are thinking outside the box; I'm thinking outside the box and we've come to a lot of the same things together, so it makes sense that we partner up. The executive team at ole is very sharp. They all have deep publishing backgrounds, not just finance or widget-selling, so they understand the push and pull of what it really takes to monetize a copyright and what that means over the life of a copyright."

Comments ole's Chairman & CEO, Robert Ott: "ole is very pleased to welcome Monty Powell to our team. Monty's ability to write hit songs is widely known, but he is also an innovative thinker and entrepreneur of the first order. I know that he will add immensely to ole's already aggressive and innovative creative culture."

As a songwriter, Powell swept the SESAC Awards in 2009 as he prevailed in the categories of Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year. In 2006, he picked up a Song of the Year CMA nomination for Keith Urban's "Tonight I Wanna Cry." As a producer, he earned a CMA Album of the Year award for his work on Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles in 1994 and co-produced Diamond Rio's first three top selling albums, as well as Keith Urban's critically-acclaimed band, The Ranch for Capitol Records.

One of the things for which Powell has become noted is the time he spends on the road writing with a number of artists with whom he has developed close ties. "Several years ago, I carved this niche out for myself in the songwriting community," explains Powell. "There weren't a lot of alternative ways to skin the cat. I went directly to the artists and suggested that I go out on the road with them, integrate and become a part of their team. I told them that I would work with their schedule. If you need me, I'll be there, if not, you won't even know that I'm around. All this dead time and down time where you are not being creative or you are not generating a copyright or anything that you can monetize as an artist while you're out on the road, we can turn into creative time. A lot of people really perked up at that notion and gave me the opportunity to come out and gave me a bunk on the bus and I became one of the team. That's what I do."

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Twitter Time!


Jessicarsen: Just saw Nicole and Keith at the Zoo. They were visiting the Vitamin Water table.

iamjohnnyangel: Just talked to Keith and Nicole at the zoo...score? Yes...yes indeed.

viyi0806: Had lunch at Wholefood and bumped into Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban earlier.

nashveggie: Leave it to my daughter the politician to go up and start talking to Keith & Nicole.

darrellbrown: @QueenRania happy birthday I'm friends with Nicole and Keith they have told me what a wonderful lady u r Enjoy and hope to meet you one day

murdernovels: @VariantVal Would I want to be Keith Urban? Only if I get to take home Nicole

nvbound: @KeithUrban LOVE watchin!!!! "I'm In" just makes the day go even better :) Thanks Nicole for suggesting Keith sing it :):):)

tonyacash: Did you see Keith Urban on #CMA?? I swear that man gets hotter and hotter... Nicole Kidman is a lucky woman ;)

katharinemcphee: Omg! In the hotel coffee shop standing next 2 Keith Urban! Soooo cool. The reason that is is b/c Nicole Kidman is shooting a movie here 2 about 4 hours ago via Twitter for Android

Filming For Nicole Kidman's Trespass Has Begun!

On Location Vacations

Filming in Shreveport, LA:

•Trespass, a new film starring Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman, is filming around Caddo St and Edwards St in Shreveport.


Before The Trailer

Shreveport Filming Locations

Trespass with Nicholas Cage and Nicole Kidman is filming at Stage/ Hall #2 at 400 Caddo St. in Shreveport


No pictures from the set just yet. Until then, here's a blast from the past....Nicole and Nicolas Cage at the 2003 SAG Awards!

Another Aussie Actor Joins Nicole Kidman In Trespass; Aussie Star Troy Cassar-Daley Talks Keith Urban

Huge thanks to our Aussie friend timtam and an anonymous reader for these stories! It just goes to show the skeptics are full of it when they say that Australia and the Urbans' Australian contemporaries don't want anything to do with them!

Actors decide to 'Trespass'

Thesps join Kidman, Cage for Nu Image actioner
By DAVE MCNARY

Ben Mendelsohn ("Animal Kingdom"), Dash Mihok and Liana Liberato ("Trust") are rounding out the "Trespass" cast opposite Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Cage in Nu Image/Millennium Films' action-adventure.

Shooting starts Monday in Louisiana with Joel Schumacher directing and a nine-week shoot planned. Cam Gigandet and Jordana Spiro also star.

Reports earlier this month indicated that Cage had left "Trespass" but he subsequently re-committed to the production. He and Kidman signed on to "Trespass" to portray a married couple.

Story, written by Karl Gajdusek and Eli Richbourg, centers on a husband and wife taken hostage by four brutal perpetrators seeking easy cash. Complications ensue amid the unexpected discovery of betrayal and deception.

""Trespass" marks the fourth collaboration between Cage and Nu Image/Millennium Films following the recently wrapped 3D adventure "Drive Angry," "The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" and "The Wicker Man."

"Trespass" will be produced by Irwin Winkler and David Winkler of Winkler Films and Rene Besson. Avi Lerner executive produces for Nu Image/Millennium Films, along with Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short, Boaz Davidson and John Thompson, and Jill Cutler exec produces for Winkler Films.


timtam let us know that Ben Mendelsohn has just come off a very popular Showtime Australia drama called Tangle and that he is a very sought-after actor on Australian television. This isn't the first time he's worked on a film with Nicole Kidman. Readers may recognize him as "Captain Dutton" from Baz Luhrmann's Australia.



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DAVE'S DIARY - 7 MAY 2009 - TROY CASSAR- DALEY INTERVIEW

KEITH URBAN

"From the day we met I have to say/ my life's been blessed/ and that old sky above ain't got nothing on/ this big, big love." - Big, Big Love - Troy Cassar-Daley.

The singer credits fellow pre-teen Tamworth busker and latter day expatriate Australasian superstar Keith Urban for the disc's entrée single and video.

"I was having real trouble writing last year," Troy recalled.

"I ended up catching up with Keith on a plane, going over to Phoenix, Arizona, to do his show.

He said to me 'how's the writing going?'

I said "to tell you the truth, it's not going too well. I'm having a bit of a writer's block.'

He said 'how are you approaching it?'

I said 'on guitar.'
"He said 'try a drum machine - in your Mac computer you'll have garage band.'

"I often go to it when I need energy in a song. I started that when I got home. I started on electric guitar that I normally don't write on a lot. I got it going and was having a ball.

Three or four songs into this project I thought I've broken the drought - it's finally flowing again."

Cassar-Daley confessed that both the Cassar-Daley and Urban spouses and offspring inspired the song.

Troy wed fellow singer and 4KQ breakfast DJ Laurel Edwards many moons ago and they have two sons.

Urban, 41, took the plunge much later in life with a Sydney born thespian named Nicole.

"When Keith and Nicole's baby was born we texted him and said 'congratulations, it must be a huge thrill for you being a dad the first time.'

His reply - beautiful result, she's absolutely gorgeous. We're all tired. Big love to the family - Keith.'

"I was in the middle of this track. I was working out real rocking drum feel. I thought it doesn't get much bigger than that. I might head for that as the hook line and go for that direction. I worked the demo up in a couple of days, sent it to Keith and he loved it.

He really thought I nailed what he was talking about. It kicked a door in for me - opened up another avenue. You can write this. So far he hasn't asked for a share of the royalties."

PATERNAL ADVICE

Instead the singer gave the new father free paternal advice.

"He asked me a lot about the balance of family and career," Troy revealed.

"At any level it's hard to balance. I said to him 'you probably already know that but what it comes down to is priorities. As long they're the No 1 priority everything else will fall into line behind that and will happen in its own way. You tell the record company when you want to tour. You keep your time off in big blocks for Nicole and you like Laurel and I do. He found it refreshing to hear it coming from an Australian voice - someone he's known for more than 20 years."

Urban, once signed to fellow expatriate Australasian Barry and Jewel Coburn's publishing company Ten, Ten, didn't offer Troy advice on landing songs in movies and TV shows.

"No, we mainly talked about guitars and about old memories we had back in Tamworth," Cassar-Daley recalled.

"We used to go and busk outside Cheaper Music in Tamworth as 12 year-olds. We continued doing that over the years, even after we had our record deals. He would ring up and say we're raising money for the kids ward at the hospital - can you come over and do a few songs at the front of the music store. I would go to his gigs and he would come to mine - a cross-pollination. The first time I met Jerry Flowers (Urban's U.S. bassist from his era with embryonic trio The Ranch) they were going to smash a few guitars on stage in Tamworth. But Keith missed the stage and cut Jerry's hand in the middle of show. It was a big moment when they were doing a Garth Brooks piss-take. I don't think he would have as many Australian friends come through that would have as much history."

The singer confessed that he hadn't read the controversial Urban biography.

"I'm waiting for Laurel to finish it," he confessed.

"I'm looking forward to having a read because a lot of people and events I would have been part of. It's nice to see someone's take on Keith but I would much prefer to hear one from Keith. It would be nice to hear it from the horse's mouth. I don't think I would be interested in learning someone else's take on personal battles he has had - everybody already knows about that.'

Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Updates 08/18/10

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Nicole is on the cover of the June 2010 issue of Aviamost, a Russian-language magazine from the UAE. The publication links travel, trade, and tourism between the CIS and the Middle East. It looks like the cover shot is from an Omega photoshoot. However, the story included is about Roger Dubuis entering the market.



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Thanks to Twitter we found some more information on Nicole's movie Trespass

Filming has in fact been pushed back to September, as claimed earlier around the time Nicolas Cage had temporarily dropped out of the film.

The new dates are as follows according to a Shreveport-Bossier film production website


IN PREP

"Trespass"
TP Productions, LLC
Director: Joel Schumacher
Producers: Avi Lerner, Irwin Winkler, and Rene Besson
Shoot Dates: August 30 to Oct. 22
Cast: Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman


And we have a new cast member

EXCLUSIVE: “Trust” star Liberato joins “Trespass” family



Liana Liberato, the star of the David Schwimmer-directed drama “Trust”, has joined the cast of “Trespass.” Liberato will play alongside Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Cage as the daughter of a family held captive by a band of thieves.

Liberato’s quickly rising star will get a boost next month when “Trust” premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival. The drama follows a young girl who befriends a boy online, only to find out when they meet that he is a forty year old serial sex offender. Her parents are played by Clive Owen and Catherine Keener.

After the apparent departure and return of Cage last week, “Trespass” is continuing to move forward with production in Shreveport, LA with principle photography slated to begin on August 30. “Trespass” is directed by Joel Schumacher and produced by David and Irwin Winkler along with Nu Image/Millenium.

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Don't forget, you can still catch Keith Urban on BBC Radio's tribute to Les Paul. Click HERE to listen. There's 6 days left on the program.

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.

Latest Update: Cage Will Now Trespass With Nicole Kidman

Things do sure have a way of turning around when someone takes a second look at their actions. Here's the latest

HE'S BACK: Nicolas Cage Changes Mind, Returns To Millennium's 'Trespass'

2ND UPDATE: Days after withdrawing from the Millennium Films drama Trespass just two weeks before production, Nicolas Cage has had a change of heart. I'm told that Cage's CAA reps have informed the production that Cage will star in the Joel Schumacher-directed movie, after all. He's actually come full circle: after originally signing on to team with Nicole Kidman as a kidnapped married couple, Cage recently shifted and took the role of the head kidnapper. He's returning in the husband role, insiders tell me. Millennium has pushed its start date from August 16 to August 30 anyway, but the entire production is breathing a cautious sigh of relief after Millennium was about to begin trying to recast. It wasn't immediately clear why Cage changed his mind. I think that the uncertainty over which character to play, coupled with the arduous promotional campaign on The Sorcerer's Apprentice, left him fried. But dropping out of a movie so close to the start date is a lousy thing to do, particularly when he would be doing it to a financier he works with regularly (Avi Lerner has backed Wicker Man, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call--New Orleans and Drive Angry) and a director he has a relationship with from their previous collaboration 8MM. Cage had some time to think on his vacation in the Bahamas, and decided to do the right thing.

Right thing indeed. While the skeptics have stupidly praised Cage for dropping out, their hate blinds them to the reality of a huge multi-million dollar project being scrapped. The skeptics seem to pride themselves on being anti-rich, anti-elitist, pro-"the little guy". After all Keith Urban frauded all those innocent women and families out of hard earned money...forcing them to buy cds, merchandise, concert tickets, and fan club memberships...and then marrying Nicole Kidman! But who would really get hurt if Trespass was cancelled? That's right, the actors hired who don't make a living just in front of the camera, the guys and gals working behind the scenes and the community of Shreveport that is coming into its own through a burgeoning Louisiana film industry.

Shame on you skeptics once again!

Nicolas Cage No Longer Starring In Trespass?

We don't have complete confirmation yet that this story is entirely accurate, however the idea of Nicole Kidman co-starring with phenomenal actor and best friend's partner Liev Schreiber is an intruiging one!




















Oscar winner leaves Schumacher-Kidman thriller at 11th hour.

Cage Won't Trespass


August 2, 2010
by Jim Vejvoda

Nicolas Cage has quit the kidnapping thriller Trespass just two weeks before cameras were set to roll in Louisiana.

Deadline reports that Cage, who was set to have starred opposite Nicole Kidman in the Millennium Films project, "abruptly backed out of the film late last week and then left on vacation—apparently to the Bahamas."

The site claims no one can seem to reach Cage, which leaves producer Avi Lerner scrambling to find a new actor to replace him or lose the movie altogether. Kidman remains set to play a wife who, along with her husband, is captured by thieves. As Deadline explains, "Cage at first was going to play the husband, but within the last two weeks he switched and instead decided to play the leader of the kidnappers. Millennium offered the husband role to Liev Schreiber."

The speculation is that Cage is simply burned out after doing the global press tour for The Sorcerer's Apprentice and shooting back-to-back films in order to pay off $14 million in back taxes to the IRS.

Cage has made several of those films for Lerner's Millennium shingle, namely Wicker Man, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans and the forthcoming Drive Angry.




This update that Cage had supposedly switched to the kidnapper role instead of the husband does explain the recent confusing story revealing that Jordana Spiro had joined the cast.......

"Joel Schumacher ("Twelve") is directing, with Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Cage starring. The storyline involves a married couple taken hostage by a group of thieves led by Cage's character. Spiro will play Petal, the head thief's girlfriend, who becomes a willing accomplice in the crime."

More on the story as it develops....


**********UPDATE*************

From Deadline.com the original source....

Insiders say that Nicolas Cage is not coming back. Millennium will forge ahead, intent on keeping its start date. That is pending the casting of a suitable replacement. Stay tuned.

Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Updates 7/30/10

Spiro Likes To 'Trespass'

By Adnan Tezer Jul 30, 2010, 1:58 GMT

Jordana Spiro has boarded the cast of the Nu Image/Millennium Films thriller "Trespass," opposite Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Cage.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Joel Schumacher is directing from a script by Karl Gajdusek and Eli Richbourg.

The storyline involves a married couple taken hostage by a group of thieves led by Cage's character. Spiro will play Cage’s girlfriend Petal, who assists him in the crime.

Production is set to begin in Louisiana early next month.

Spiro has appeared in the films "The Goods: Live Hard Sell Hard" and "Alone With Her." She can currently be seen on the fourth season of the TBS series "My Boys."

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If you attend just one concert this summer ...

























You don't have to be a fan of country music to have a great time at a Keith Urban show.

The singer-guitarist is a major crossover talent, but not in the sugar-pop sense of Taylor Swift or Shania Twain. He's a fiery, full-service entertainer in the tradition of Bruce Springsteen -- a master of pacing and crowd interaction who specializes in celebratory rave-ups and aching ballads.

Urban's next visit to Indianapolis is an Aug. 14 performance at the Indiana State Fair. As I write this, tickets are available at all three price levels ($67, $50 and $40, includes admission to the fair).

The Australian heartthrob never wears a cowboy hat, so you're not obliged to wear one to his show. But if you do take a chance to check out Urban (pictured above in a Matt Kryger image from the 2009 fair), you may see him up close in personal.

At last year's fair, he played a song-and-a-half from a small platform at the base of the bleachers. At Conseco Fieldhouse in 2007, he walked a catwalk that stretched from the stage to the back of the arena's floor.

Most memorable was his 2005 appearance at the fair, where he ventured more than once across the dirt racetrack that separates the stage from the bleachers. Oh, the sight of Indiana State Police officers galloping to protect Urban from his fans.

Musically, Urban's secret weapon is his guitar expertise. Far removed from an artificial rock 'n' roll mode that trips up so many Nashville cats, he's armed with honest chops and a signature tone. He applies a lean and driving technique to an array of Gibson and Fender instruments.

Needless to say, ticket buyers in this economic climate don't want to be burned when making entertainment choices. Urban is worthy of my strongest recommendation.

Saturday, Aug. 14, is destined to be a big day at the fair, capped by a sure-thing musical performance.


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Video of Nicole at HFPA Luncheon HERE courtesy of CNN.

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman Updates 07/28/10

07.26.2010
GUITAR JAM IN THE STUDIO


Take a listen as Keith figures out the guitar riff for a new song.




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Country Weekly

Keith & The Kids
















published July 27, 2010 by Ken Tucker

Ever dream of jamming with Keith Urban? Some lucky campers got the chance.

On July 23, Keith, a three-time Grammy award winner himself, headlined the Grammy Foundation's signature benefit Starry Night concert at the LA Tennis Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Keith Urban poses with the GRAMMY Campers
at the GRAMMY Foundation’s Starry Night benefitphoto by WIREIMAGE.COM

As part of Keith's sold-out, two-hour concert, six Grammy Camp participants were called up to the stage to perform his No. 1 hit "Days Go By." Katie Gavin of Winnetka, Ill., Savannah Meares of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Brenna Miles of La Canada Flintridge, Calif., sang background vocals; India Pascucci of Burbank, Calif., played drums; and guitarist Kristen Castro of Simi Valley, Calif., and violinist Kevin Schwarzwald of Pacific Palisades, Calif., were both featured with solos during the song.

"Having those kids onstage with us on Friday really serves as a reminder of what is possible when you're lucky enough to find your passion," Keith said in a statement after the performance. "I was so impressed by their talent and their obvious love for playing."

The kids first met Keith onstage prior to the concert during his afternoon soundcheck, when he and his band worked with the campers to put the finishing touches on their performance.

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Keith Urban Encourages Kids to Be Real Guitar Heroes

* Posted Jul 26th 2010 1:00PM by Donna Hughes

Jordan Strauss, WireImage
Keith Urban was in Los Angeles on Friday (July 23) to headline the Grammy Foundation's Starry Night show, which benefits the Grammy in the Schools music education programs for high school students. Keith says it's very important to have music programs in schools, and notes that one of the reasons he wanted to lend his time and talents to the program was because of his life-changing relationship with music.

"I feel really fortunate that I got to start at such a young age," Keith explains to The Boot. "I was six when I started playing guitar and devote the 10,000-hour[s it generally takes to learn how to play]. I was able to rack that up at a good age and get professional at what I did ... I was impacted by, first of all, having an opportunity to play an instrument, which a lot of kids can do, but they don't have any access to instruments. And then if they do, they don't have access to teachers, they don't have environments that really foster that focus."

With the loss of music programs in many schools, Keith feels very strongly about raising money and awareness to assist children in pursuing a love affair with an instrument and finding places where they can develop and nurture their passion. "There's a lot of talented kids that are just looking for that place where they can apply their being to," he says. "They're sort of born to be a guitar player, born to be a piano player, fiddle, sax, whatever it is. And all they have to do is find an instrument, and then they're off to the races ... I'm passionate about continuing that at schools where the funding cuts off the arts and the dramas."

The saucy Aussie also feels passionate about kids actually practicing a real instrument as opposed to video games, and to actually create as opposed to imitate. "It's really important for the kids to put in the time," states Keith. "Right now, we're seeing a lot of kids with 'Guitar Hero,' and I'm not dissing 'Guitar Hero,' but it's not a great use of hours and hours and hours of time ... it's not about 'I've got to create. I want to create. I'm an artist, and I want to create.' Hopefully, getting involved in this [program] will allow kids to be able to create and have the right thrust for this."

Next, Keith will take his passion to the Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles, Ca., on Wednesday, July 28.


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KC Masterpiece Youtube videos






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"I'm In" Keith's current single, moved up to the #4 spot on the Mediabase charts!

Mediabase


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It was reported Cameron Diaz bought a home in Los Angeles in the same neighborhood as Keith and Nicole. Those really in the know know the Urbans have a home there (despite the skeptics' lies) and it's the same community as a very famous older American actress whose residence has been known for years! Haters, you have no clue!

And speaking of having no clue, there's nomorefan!

Nicole and Keith were spotted seeing Salt, the new movie with Angelina Jolie

JustJared

nomorefan: The paps knew to hang out at some random movie theater in Sherman Oaks . . . yea right!


Clearly nomorefan doesn't know anything about LA. The theater was at the Sherman Oaks Galleria, a large shopping complex where celebrities are photographed. How uninformed can one poster be? If you think a cd should cost as much as a kitchen appliance, Kate Spade sunglasses, or a laptop, you might be as dense as nomorefan!

Or you might be as idiotic. For example, E! tried to make issue of the dress Nicole wore to the movies but the readers weren't having any of it!

Caption Nicole Kidman's Granny Style

Normally we don't read E's "fashion" pages but a reader sent this in and we knew the skeptics would love to see the results, especially immature Mimosa.

Mimosa thinks every tweet about Nicole and Keith is coming from Nashville. If she's too dense to figure out how to tell where the tweets are coming from well we can't help her.

But here's a great tweet from the Co-Director of the Toronto Film Festival. He was comparing TIFF films to drinks

cameron_tiff: RABBIT HOLE = pinot noir about 11 hours ago via web



But here's some more tweets from "Nashville"! Enjoy!

jvhdior: Sitting next to Nicole Kidman at the fountain coffee shop at the BHH. Love my life. #fancyallthetime 2:31 PM Jul 26th via UberTwitter

johnnywaiver: In line for Keith Urban Concert. (@ Bradley Center) http://4sq.com/6s3tq7 about 13 hours ago via foursquare

nsure_nvest: Enjoying Keith Urban in concert in Milwaukee with 10,000 of my Northwestern Mutual buddies! about 12 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®


TyMatthews: Keith Urban is doing work in Milwaukee. The energy is contaigious http://twitpic.com/29b62a about 10 hours ago via Twitpic


mwholbrook: Got done with a private Keith Urban concert for Northwestern Mutual. I underestimated your talent as a musician. I apologize & am now a fan. about 8 hours ago via web


ClayWalker: @KeithUrban i didn't know u were still a teenager...LOL...how's the little "BEE"...cw about 8 hours ago via web in reply to KeithUrban

Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman Updates 07/06/10

Keith Urban was a guest this July 4th on Rise Up Country, a syndicated inspirational program that features country artists and country music. If you'll recall Keith gave a great interview with John Ritter last year. Unfortunately audio or a podcast of this new show is currently unavailable. But lucky for us an STS reader did catch the show. It's just a matter of them getting the audio to us in a digital format....we're dealing with an old-school KU Fred Flinstone cassette tape here! So bear with us, as soon as STS gets the interview we will be posting it!


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We've got filming dates for Nicole's film with Nicolas Cage, Trespass!

What's Filming In Louisiana

The independent feature film Trespass starring Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman will shoot from August 16th to October 8th in Shreveport.


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Urban steps up in Dauphin after Brooks and Dunn cancel

DAUPHIN -- Thank God for Keith Urban.

That was the sentiment at Dauphin's Countryfest Friday night, where the temperature soared, the clothing was sparse, the cowboy hats were plentiful, and the music was great.

When Brooks & Dunn, who were originally scheduled as Friday night's headliner, pulled out of the festival because of a band member's illness, organizers were at risk of ending up with a lot of upset country fans.

But they pulled out a big save, booking superstar New Zealand singer/guitar player Urban as the replacement. Click on "Read More" below for the rest of the review.

Linda Hamilton of Dauphin was looking forward to seeing Brooks & Dunn, but had a big smile on her face as her and her husband donned their Keith Urban T-shirts in the grandstands.

"I was disappointed when the two of them cancelled. I'd never seen them before. But when they said Keith was coming -- that was a pretty good buffer," the 57-year-old said.

Trudy Steiner of Dauphin agreed that they couldn't have found a better replacement, as rumors swirled that his wife, actress Nicole Kidman, accompanied him to the festival.

"I think it'd be nice if he brought her on stage. That would be a treat for everyone," said Steiner.

Stephanie Allen of Winnipeg was thrilled with the switch in performers.

"Keith is my favourite artist ever. I come to Countryfest every year, but I was thinking about selling my pass. But then I found out Keith was coming, and it was the best summer gift," the 21-year-old said.

Countryfest president Eric Irwin said Urban, who performed at the festival in 2005, deserves a lot of credit for stepping in.

"He had some time off, which I'm sure he has little of, but he changed his plans for us."

Irwin says the festival has been running smoothly, except for a few weather glitches, including high winds and 35 cm of rain overnight Thursday.

"We had to cut off Aaron Pritchett's performance half way through because the wind was so gusty. But we got him going again fifteen minutes later," said Irwin.

Terri Clark, the evening's last performer, just got her last song in before the rain.

Irwin says this year's Thursday night crowd might have been the biggest ever. But the big group has been fairly well behaved so far.

RCMP received three calls from the site Thursday night -- one hit and run and two disturbance calls. Three people were taken to the drunk tank.

Dauphin RCMP Const. Robert Tuff says he believes the number of calls received so far are down from last year, though no official comparison has been done.

Since the festival began, police have issued 58 speeding tickets, seven tickets for failure to wear a seat belt and seven tickets for other traffic offenses. Five people were charged under the Liquor Control Act.

Miranda Lambert performs tonight on the main stage. The four day festival ends Sunday night with Kelly Pickler and Blake Shelton performing.


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Greality: Surprise! Kidman had a salad

With country singer Keith Urban coming to Greeley for the Stampede, the town was buzzing over whether his famous wife would come along.

Though Urban apparently kept a low profile in town, he and actress Nicole Kidman were spotted at The Tavern at St. Michaels Square. Urban, his wife and a friend enjoyed lunch Saturday at The Tavern.

(Photo) The Tavern owners Brian Hill, left, and Brett Hill pose with country music superstar Keith Urban and his wife, actress Nicole Kidman, during their visit to The Tavern.

“They were riding their motorcycles around and saw The Tavern and decided to stop by,” Tavern owner Brian Hill said.

“Urban, Kidman and their friend watched the U.S. soccer team play in the World Cup as they ate.

“‘They were very friendly and they asked about the restaurant: when it had opened and when other restaurants in the area would be opening,” Hill said.

“The group stayed about 45 minutes. Urban ate a chicken, avocado and bacon sandwich; Kidman and their friend ate salads.

“Before leaving, Urban and his wife signed autographs and took a few pictures.

“‘They were very pleasant people to talk to,” Hill said of Urban and Kidman. “We went to his show that night and it was a great show.”


Want a laugh?

Jakra777 / Oh " so" Leery: Have you caught the one where she finally dubbed herself into a photo with Urban and a couple guys. Funny, she was in her generic wear at the end of the lineup. Usually when she is having a photo taken with a group of men shes right in the middle. Instead shes stuck on the end. hmmmmmmm LOL

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We reported earlier that Nicole was possibly in Monte Carlo for Monte Carlo. Unfortunately that tweet was misinformed as Nicole and Keith were together on the road and then spotted in Green Hills at their usual movie theater. Perhaps the person saw it was the shoot and thought Nicole was still starring, just as some thought she was doing Bel Ami after filming had commenced.

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Keith is on the cover of the current issue of Country Weekly.





















It's amazing what a career on death's door can be like with an alleged waning fan club, award-winning music that's allegedly noise, and an alleged hated spouse within the industry!


Here's skeptic nomorefan's favorite....The Joker, with Keith, Brian and Jerry. Enjoy!