Keith Urban has partnered with the Tamworth Country Music Festival, one of Australia’s biggest and most historic country music events, to launch the Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship.
The scholarship is designed to help emerging Australian country artists break into the international scene by giving them direct access to Nashville’s music industry. Recipients will not only get the chance to perform, write, and meet industry professionals, but they’ll also receive two days of studio time at Urban’s own facility, The Sound (formerly the renowned Tracking Room).
The Tamworth Country Music Festival, held every January, attracts more than 300,000 visitors over 10 days, featuring hundreds of performances and culminating in the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards. With this new scholarship, Urban is deepening his long-standing mission to mentor and uplift new talent, something he has done through collaborations, tour support slots, music education programs, and even co-hosting the CBS competition series THE ROAD with Blake Shelton.
Urban explained that often all a young musician needs is a chance:
“Sometimes all a musician needs is an opportunity to be heard or someone to help nurture their talent. Having the opportunity to do that not only inspires me, but I’m also hoping this scholarship will inspire others.”
Peter Ross, Executive Manager of the Tamworth Festival, said the team is thrilled to collaborate with Urban, noting that he himself is proof of Tamworth’s pathway to success. Urban began his career performing there before going on to win four GRAMMYs, 13 CMAs, 15 ACMs, nine ARIA Awards, and 15 Golden Guitar Awards, as well as becoming a member of both the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.
Currently, Urban is touring on his High and Alive World Tour, joined by special guests Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen, and Karley Scott Collins, with the final show set for October 17 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
