Thursday, October 16, 2008

Isn't it sleazy?

You have probably heard by now that there is going to be a book published on January 1, 2009 in Oz. The title is Fortunate Son: The Unlikely Rise of Keith Urban, by Jeff Apter. We got the first tease yesterday when the blurb started out, "Suburban loner, gifted guitarist, drug addict, platinum-plated superstar: Keith Urban has squeezed a lot into his 40 years." Yep, a biography published in his homeland. I don't know about you but I am getting a wee bit tired of reading both the sleaze and the made-up stories about Mr. Urban.

I really didn't want to know about all the women. It's not my business to know about the depth of his addictions. And while we did get that period of time where his image was that of the barefoot poet lover who will rescue you from your hum-drum existence, most people were bright enough to realize that was not the reality. The crafted single guy who was your fantasy was actually living with women the entire time and has never been without a relationship. The man who confessed to sobriety and his walk with God, was struggling daily with those demons. Did I need to know any of this? No.

I reached a point where I literally threw my hands in the air and said enough when the Amanda stories were published in December of 2006. Were you, like me, really getting disgusted - not by the behavior, not even by Amanda selling her story, but by the fact we wouldn't have know about this had he not chosen to marry Nicole Kidman? Would there have been the need for a book to be written about him? Most major country stars don't have books written about them. He could have kept his privacy and I would have been happy just to attend his shows. But you don't get that dipping into Nicole do you?

As for this book, at 253 pages, and it being a paperback is either going to be a snow job based on cut and pasted excerpts from his interviews over the years; or it could be sourced by someone with an ax to grind who got crapped on by Keith, and, yes, there are many that can fall into that category. But what I think it just might be is something that will walk the fine line of truth and fiction and will be out there for people to make their own judgments. Being that it is being published in Australia and the liable and slander laws are what they are, don't expect anything that we haven't already seen. God knows there already is so much out there.

59 comments:

realitycheck said...

Its an UNAUTHORIZED biography. 'Nuff said. The hard-core skeptics will believe whatever negative things are said. The hard-core fans that don't believe Keith could do any wrong other than his public admittance to addiction will say its all lies. We can assume which side most of the Umyths blog entries about this book (and there will be some guaranteed) will fall. The question is can even one of the bloggers here be objective? I will give them a bit of a break because its near impossible. No one can when they don't know the real motives behind the sources quoted. Some may have a legitimate beef with KU and some may just spew lies for spite. I don't care which side of the fence you fall on. If you are going to spend money on this book consider it nothing more than light reading...even if there's some juicy new "revelations".

Imahick said...

I will wait and decide after I've read it. But I'm sad that it has come to this. There would never have been anything like this published about Keith prior to the hook up with NK. Maybe he's excited to be the subject of an unauthorized bio...who knows. I suspect not, but Kidman will be happy that she's getting honorable mention. I bet she's his saint and savior...

Unknown said...

Anything false in the book can easily be brought to court. I'm sure this author knows that. Dont assume everything UNAUTHORIZED is a lie.

Choice said...

This book wont sell that well here in Australia. Seriously, Keith has very few fans. The general Aussie public has very little interest in Keith. Alot less with Nic too these days.

Unknown said...

I would rather read something from someone that has been through an event, really lived it, than ask a man that cant tell the truth to save his life.

What are the chances that Keith will time this DVD release with the release of this book?

Unknown said...

Grubby. I bet the publisher thought keith would be a bigger star here in Oz when they signed on. he is never played on radio here and never will be b/c we don't have mainstream country format stations. and no amount of tattoos or botox brides will convince them he is rock n roll. its a shame.

i am more concerned about the bruised claw!!

notachance said...

Who cares? Not like it will have any new information to disclose. Why even bring it up? I mean really, who cares? Oh, that's right - the skeptics do because it will just be another thing for them to point a finger at NK about.

yingyang said...

BORING.....

hoosierlady said...

http://www.dailynewspaper.co.uk/

That's all I found on the hands.

Wow! I think I may move! You don't have any c/w formatted stations? That's amazing! They played country music through the p/a system at the high school my kids went to. I thought my youngest son would lose his mind!

For a middle age rocker, Australia sounds like HEAVEN!!!

urbanfan said...

I couldn't find the article about why her claw was bruised. What did it say?

TexasCourtJester said...

"I am more concerned about the bruised claw."

Anorexics usually bruise easily and take longer to heal. She probably ran the back of her hand over Keith's scruff.

notachance said...

That hand looks nasty.

hoosierlady said...

*

Perhaps Nicole's shyness was down to the surprising state of her usually immaculate hands.

Far from their normal porcelain, smooth appearance, Nicole's hands were veiny, red and bruised looking.

One potential reason for the blotchy appearance could be down to eczema or Raynaud's phenomenon (a disorder causing discolouration of the hands).

Maybe the actress had battered her hands during dance rehearsals for her upcoming role in the musical movie Nine.

from: dailynewspaper.co.uk

Unknown said...

I think Keith better show something for us at some point soon or we will go ahead and announce him MISSING!

I dont like the dots we have been connecting lately and if none of it is true, they've been having a hard time proving it.


Keith why are you in hiding, baby?

Imahick said...

Truth is, prior to NK, he would go weeks without us knowing what he was up to. In fact, getting a snippet about where he was was unusual. Now, we think it's odd if he's flying under the radar for a few weeks.

I heard he was in the studio in Nashville, actually working on his music. All I can say is good.

I also heard that his first single from the new album is coming out next month. Is that true? I don't know but I think that it would make sense to get something out there and soon. Being released ... three months before the CD is out ... that's actually about average, I'd say.

stillhopefull said...

I certainly hope what you claim is true imahick...that would really be a logical asumption to his where abouts these past few weeks. Or...some can only hope that he has aquired his BALLS back and has begun his track BACK to stardom, on his own merits rather than that of his BPP!!! His actions have really baffled me these past few months! Not sure if he is finally tiring of the BPP actions or if he is still along for the ride!
I can only interject....it really stumps this women that another man would let some women run his life rather than him running his OWN life!!!
I still have a very hard time w/ that...although that has been clearly the path until now....So I Say...'WHAT IS UP NOW KEITH....???DO TELL, YOUR FANS ARE CONCERNED! Just let us know if your back or the BPP is still calling the shots!

stillhopefull said...

I am also of the belief...if you need to to hide or how ever you need to sperate yourself from the BPP....more power to ya, baby! What ever it takes....DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO BREAK AWAY........GET BACK TO YOURSELF!!!!

GET BACK TO WHAT MADE KEITH URBAN KEITH URBAN....THAT SEXAPEAL HAS TO STILL BE THERE....IT DOES NOT JUST DISAPPEAR WITH THE ENTRANCE OF A BPP!!!

COME OUT, COME OUT WHERE EVER YOU ARE KIETH LIONAL URBAN...WE KNOW YOU ARE STILL THERE WITH ALOT MORE SONGS TO GIVE YOUR FANS!!!

Unknown said...

no baby, come out and expose the bruises YOU have.

*kiss kiss kiss*

Let's make him feel better.

urbanfan said...

I will help you make him feel better Lisa. Count me in!!

I hope he is working on a new album. I am anxiously awaiting the new tour. I never tire of looking at that man....or hearing him sing. (even if it is the same concert every night.) I saw him 4 times this year.

I hope he gets rid of Nicold soon. She is ruining him. Pretty soon it will get to the point that he won't be able to come back, because she has run him into the ground so far.

hoosierlady said...

What dots? Tell me, please what you know that I don't.

notachance said...

There aren't any dots hoosierlady, it's just another attempt to make a conspiracy out of nothing.

imahick calls it right. She usually is the voice of reason. Keith is in Nashville working on his album, and we all know the paps won't hound him there. Going without him in the news for a week or two is a GOOD thing - it means he's living a normal life.

Anonymous said...

As it is an UNAUTHORIZED biography, the author could be including some lies and unsubstantiated stories. As I said a few times before, if you are so insistent on writing fantasies, lies, and half-truths here, you should write a book.

Well, he got a book deal and you didn't. Sounds like a bunch of sour grapes, eh, UM?

realitycheck said...

1. Keith is in the studio. He is not missing. Nicole did not kidnap him. He is not in any danger. He is simply working. Nicole is in London filming "Nine". Yes, the filming hasn't started until now.

2. The new live DVD is coming out November 11th.

3. The new single from the forthcoming album will also be released next month.

4. There is a video with Brad for "Start A Band" in the works.


lisa, if there are lies or half-truths in this book, I highly doubt that anyone will sue unless there is something printed that is completely heinous. It would only bring more attention to a book on first look seems to be just an author cashing in on someone's higher profile. I have no doubt that Apter wouldn't have written the book if Keith hadn't married Nicole. The book will sell alot more copies in the home country due to that one fact. He's also smart to figure out that because he is a fellow countryman, he probably could get people to talk in Oz that wouldn't have otherwise. So he jumped on it. Too bad for Apter, I won't be buying the book no matter what's in those pages.

Unknown said...

RC- just because YOU wont be buying something doesnt mean it wont make money.. and... celebs have sued for a lot less than a book written about them.

You give NK WAY too much credit.

Imahick said...

If Keith would sue Keith Urban for a website name because he claimed the guy misrepresented him with his fans ... surely he'd sue an author who lied about him, especially if the lies portray an image that Keith would not like put forward to the general public including his fans.

Nope...I think he'll sue if there are lies in the book. We shall see.

Unknown said...

RC- you do NOT turn this wheel.

You are a bot in a dress and we see straight through ya.

My thoughts dont turn the wheel either, but at least I can see the GROUND it's turning on. It's not paved with gold bricks. There are many rocks and a lot of dusty traveling.

Anonymous said...

" Imahick said...
... surely he'd sue an author who lied about him, especially if the lies portray an image that Keith would not like put forward to the general public including his fans."

Ahhhh... so that's why UM would not dare to put her lies and unsubstantiated stories in a book! Of course, even if she did, she'll not get a book deal.

Casse Role said...

Time will tell if the book sells or not.
Sometimes even those who don't really care about reading it, seem
to get curious about it, and may pick it up and read it anway.

Maybe they won't buy it when it first comes out, but you can probably get it in your public library or later on ebay.

Urban Myths said...

Ahhhh... so that's why UM would not dare to put her lies and unsubstantiated stories in a book! Of course, even if she did, she'll not get a book deal.
UM is a "she"... hmmmm, so presumptive of you...

Anonymous said...

"Urban Myths said...
Ahhhh... so that's why UM would not dare to put her lies and unsubstantiated stories in a book! Of course, even if she did, she'll not get a book deal.
UM is a "she"... hmmmm, so presumptive of you..."

He, she, whatever .... why don't you put your lies and unsubstantiated stories in a book instead of asking "Isn't it sleazy" of someone who did! Unless you're already admitting no one would give you a book deal.

Imahick said...

SM...what makes you think any of us want to write a book? This blog gives me (and I'm sure any of the UM authors) an adequate outlet for our opinions and information. It looks to me like it's pretty well read, based on the world map!

Maybe you should write some self righteous book about your opinion on how perfect NK is? It seems like she could use a bit of positive PR amidst all the criticism she's been subject to lately. Give Wendy a call...I bet she'd welcome your holier than thou approach.

Funny...for a woman who yearned so much for a baby...and who spouted off in every interview she gave how much she loves Nashville...NK sure doesn't spend alot of time mothering said baby or enjoying her wild turkeys or giant zucchini at home (right) in Nashville. She's so full of BS, it's a wonder her eyes aren't brown instead of red from being bloodshot.

Unknown said...

For some ODD reason, she is trying to get back in Tom's good graces.

I just dont understand why she cares so much. Is it his power and connections? Her movies are going to skid without him, but yet he hasnt been doing too well for himself lately.

Unknown said...

hey, it finally dawned on me that NKU have dumped keith entirely. seems a tad nasty does it not?

Imahick said...

Keith was getting too much attention on NKU and the "country music" section (they wouldn't name it for him) was more active than NK's. Her career is struggling. Even with Keith's career slow down, he has been getting way more positive attention than NK.

NK doesn't have much of a fan base. Keith may have lost some fans, but he still has more fans than NK. His fans were overwhelming NK's.

The focus had shifted from the queen to Keith...and so, the moderator closed the "country music" section and put forth the rules...no more Keith threads.

Unknown said...

why would anyone want the hassle of
writing a book when its so much easier to write a blog?
Sobora I thought you were a little more clever.

RC- you will have one of the first copies of the book just so you can
tell everyone if it goes with or against your agenda

doubt it will be a big seller in Oz at all- Keith who??

Unknown said...

imahick- I think there is more to it than that.

Marriage is a Union. You shut out the husband, then that means you shut out part of the wife too. Seems like something NK would be dead against.

undecided said...

imahick I think you are right on the money about NKU. The moderator left the country music folder a 'temporary' folder long after they were married, so she didn't care about acknowledging the union. And the most active members of NKU cared the most about Keith and we can't have that!

Anonymous said...

NKU has always been a Nicole Kidman fansite since it started several years ago. It was actually quite generous of the moderator to keep a Country Music section for a while.

So, with the moderator being busy with her work and family matters, I'm not surprised at all that she just keeps her board focused on NK, as she originally intended. As she explained it, Keith has other fansites, such as Monkeyville, that his fans can go to. She needed to streamline her board as it is taking too much of her time to maintain it. There are quite a few NK-related sections being closed off too, not just the Country Music section.

realitycheck said...

If those that criticize the moderator over at NKU would actually look over the site you'll notice a few things. First this was always first and foremost a NICOLE KIDMAN site. However, posts about KU and Nicole were always allowed, even from the very beginning. It is absolutely idiotic to say the mod never acknowledged the union. There was an entire section devoted to just the wedding alone. The fact that the mod made an entire section just for Keith and allowed everything from articles to pics to audio links was VERY generous of her. Every anniversary, the birth of Sunday, everything regarding their union was welcomed and celebrated. The site really doubled in size and became too much for the mod to manage. It is her right to say this is too much and to scale back. Just as its the right of the bloggers here to say no new topics for x amount of days, no new comments will be allowed at this time etc. Talking about KU and his music, pics, interviews are still allowed as long as they are posted within threads already created. Lastly, alot of sections devoted to Nicole, have been closed off for now including a large media section.

The "new NKU" is not about getting rid of Keith but the mod making the site more manageable for herself. Any attempt to argue otherwise just amounts to another silly conspiracy theory.

realitycheck said...

tara, I live in the US. I have no idea if it will be sold here. But I wont be buying it. Why would I need to anyway? I'm sure it will be discussed ad nauseum here.

As for "an agenda" ask the hard-core skeptics about that.

Urban Myths said...

Hi Foxy!!! Thanks for visiting!!!

realitycheck said...

RC- just because YOU wont be buying something doesnt mean it wont make money..

You could say that about "Australia" and Keith's next album.


celebs have sued for a lot less than a book written about them.

Yep. Ask Tom Cruise. He's the king of threatening to sue and following through. KU's had one suit and justifiably so. I'm sure Capitol wanted to follow through with it even if KU didn't. They shut down fan websites in the past that did nothing but promote him in a positive light. So him suing someone posing as the country music artist is completely within their bounds as far as I can see. The argument that KU will sue because Nicole will demand it is really misguided. She hasn't bothered to sue authors of bios about her. And IMO Keith will do the same.

realitycheck said...

Urban Myths said...

Hi Foxy!!! Thanks for visiting!!!



Keep thinking that LOL

Casse Role said...

RC, you seem to have so much news on NK, her sites, how things are run...so much information. I am curious to know if you DO infact have a board for her?
Also, what other "celebrities"
do you admire?

doublewide said...

Hi Foxy!!! Thanks for visiting!!!

ROFL.......good one UMyths

maclen said...

Urban Myths said...
"Hi Foxy!!! Thanks for visiting!!!"

doublewide said...
"Hi Foxy!!! Thanks for visiting!!!
ROFL.......good one UMyths"

Hey UM... doublewide, how are things going?

Yes.... the rightful scourge of internet blogs... the pathetic, cowardly sockpuppets...too ashamed to associate to their original usernames...far too insecure...lest they have their gooey, ass kissing comments from a kidman fansie site embarrass them out of their little fantasy based utopia in the rough and tumble critical and thoughful world of serious minded blogs... hence you will never see a "friendlyfox"... a "jujuelen"...or god forbid, a "skankyoldwhore"...(blech... a subconsiously, kidman identifying sociopath? I bet this "skankyoldwhore" even dresses like kidman!)...openly commenting in this critical kidman blog...well, not in any openly direct way of course.

maclen said...

As for the orb... either he's shut in working on new stuff or not, seems like a while since hes had anything new... outside to the duets or simply appearing at other's gigs... or he's simply shut in trying to control the addictions from which he succumbed to years ago...as the only news out right now about the orb seems to be the noting of the just past anniversary of his landing in rehab only 4 months after getting himself chained to kidman... I sense he will be old news...as for kidman, no doubt ramping up the PR for Australia coming out next month..and based on the recent news of another "sneak peak" and not much of buzz over it...and then hot on the heels of that, the story of whether the baz will even get the film finished...surely kidman is no doubt getting the "baby" magazine piece set up to try to save this mess of a film...

undecided said...

realitycheck , you really do live in an alternate universe. The country music folder was only created to keep all references to Keith in one place for easy removal. And once his section was more popular than the rest of it, it was gone. Talk about silly and idiotic, read your own posts. Are you on the payroll there too?

notachance said...

Who the hell cares what happens over at NKU? I admit, I was disappointed when the Country Music section was closed down, because those NKU fan-atics always seemed to have all the news first. It was a great resource. But, that said, it was & is an NKU fansite and I don't blame them for keeping it that way.

undecided said...

If you don't care, fine, stay out of the discussion then.

hoosierlady said...

OK, I've been reading all the comments, and I have finally devised a plan in which KU is SURE to sell his upcoming album, NK is SURE to sell this new movie, and whoever is SURE to sell the next tell all unauthorized biography!

We'll bundle them all together, and sell them as a boxed set, (platinum plated), for that x-tra special Christmas present! Sure to delight everyone on your list, for the low low loooowwwwwwwww (I mean scraping, not unlike. . ) price of $19.99, (plus S&H), and we'll get Billy Mays to plug it, or that guy from the Sham Wow! spots. Yep, this will work, trust me.

Ho Ho Ho!!!

undecided said...

I like it hoosierlady, but it would be really no-fail if the first 500 orders got a picture of Sunday Rose as a bonus.

hoosierlady said...

Yes, undecided, you are right.

We can get around the 'no pictures' bit by putting her in a santa suit, (at least she'll be warm, and will have a hat), and make sure the fake beard is FLUFFY, so as to shield her angelic face from the prying eyes of their over zealous fans, who would, of course, mob the child, with no regard to her health or safety if we were to even catch a glimpse of her inherited beauty.

Unknown said...

the instyle pix are nauseating - bobble headed botox bride is back. fake lips, fake hairline, fake forehead. one shot in a heavenly dress she manages to look like a man somehow. very weird.

i am a baz fan (tho she killed moulin rouge pour moi) but feel this one may die from over exposure here in cynical old oz before it even opens!

AND i feel the government ought to have stepped in when it was revealed hugh would be covered in a beard! :-)

Choice said...

Interesting thread on an Australian newspaper asking people to say how much 'Australia' will make at home and abroad. Some classic comments:

http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare/archives/2008/10/the_treibal_min.html?page=fullpage#comments

Dont forget to cast your vote on whether you think the film will save Nicole's career, just 5 days left:

http://nicole-kidman-journey.blogspot.com/

doublewide said...

Hey UM... doublewide, how are things going?

things are ok, maclen, thanks for asking.....

as for keith i HOPE he's in the studio.....and i hope his new release out next month is really good. my patience is wearing thin on that man.

please don't be another OIAL.....and maybe with that "platinum package" they could throw in a cd opener

we've waited so long for the new dvd, that i'm not sure i'll buy the thing....and if the new cd is anything like PAIN, i won't be buying it either

hoosierlady said...

What's OIAL?

Thanks!

TexasCourtJester said...

hoosierlady, Once In A Lifetime

hoosierlady said...

Thanks, Texas.

Also, I can't find the instyle pics. Did you buy a magazine? If not, could you provide the link? You know I love the freak shows!