It interesting to read the press reports coming from the “land down under”. After you scoop the poop away, they make for a very humorous tirade of ego and pretentiousness.
Well, who wouldn't want to be loved in the land they were raised in? I can't fault Keith for wanting the recognition for his work. I can't fault him for longing to be seen as a homeboy as opposed to an exiled country western singer, who couldn't even get press during his last tour home two years ago. This really seemed to be a burr up his butt from the amount of crap flowing from his lips. It's not just a plea for recognition, but a desperate cry for respect.
The problem is that he is using his personal life to get the attention. Now I understand this, and I can't really get too angry because they don't know him. Wait! I am wrong! He is a farm boy with the backward parents, the druggy womanizing singer, who was such a pussy he had to go to rehab after marrying their royalty because he wasn't man enough to handle his drink. That’s right, she married him. But, many over there have said she hasn't been quite right since she and Tom Cruise broke up. He met her. He used her celebrity to get world wide fame. He charmed her and he will hurt her in the end. Yep, he is not of stock, nor stature, worthy of their princess. So why try so hard Keith?
At almost 40, Keith is staring middle age down. He isn't a rocker, as rock is a young man’s game. He isn't a legend, and can't rest on his laurels. He needs this time this tour to make his mark. So, I will keep reading away - more tales of his marriage and his love of his homeland. I hope he will get everything he wants from this tour. Because, when he comes back to the place that accepted him, the place that made him feel welcomed, the place and the people who accepted him for who he was and showed him that was okay. Then he might realize that home isn't the place you are from, it’s what you create.
Keith you say home is with your wife. I think someone should remind you it's where you are accepted for who you are, and what you do, and in respecting that you get respect in return.
25 comments:
Yeah, it great that they know who Mr. Kidman is but will that translate into something good for Mr. Urban
How sad that he has to tout that he is married to the botoxiholic in order to get major press. Yeah, Keith we see the NICOLE tattoo and the wedding ring. What about the music?
i don't think it matters if we see it..BUT it deffinately matters if THEY see it..KK isn't have the man KU used to be..he would never have ridden someone elses coattails..
Great Blog!
I don't know if he will ever get the recognition that he seems to want so desperately.
This is an interesting hand he has chosen to play-get your foot in the door with who you know (or marry) and then hope and pray that's all forgotten once the music begins?
Quite a gamble-it might work and it might not. I think I'll pass on making that bet.
Who says you can't go home?
We shall see. Home is wear you lay your hat at the end of the day. I think Keith has gotten used to the way of life in the states. Past seeing family and vacations. I don't think Oz. holds his heart much. He just wants to conquer it. But will they let him? Again, we shall see.
Wow, I know I'll probably get hell for this one, but whoever wrote this really has an issue. What do you mean you can't be 40 and be a rocker? How old do you think Springsteen is? I have heard in interviews that Keith really would love to come home to OZ as having made it. I think he's done that, even without the hoopla of marrying the so called "Aussie Princess".
It seems that you won't give Keith a break either way. If his Aussie tour is hugely successful, you'll say its because of the wifey. If it sucks, you'll blame it on being the alcoholic husband of Nicole.
He looks really happy right now in Oz. Maybe it's because she's not there - I have no idea, but I think he's trying to be taken on his own merits, not on the coat tails of Nicole. At least give him credit for that.
but I think he's trying to be taken on his own merits,
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And I hope he does. He is one talented man. Sometimes he just needs to believe in himself and his talents alittle more.
If his merits alone were enough to get him success in Oz wouldn't it have already happened? Also if they were enough would he feel the need to mention her in every single interview that has emerged from Oz?
Besides he may use her fame down under to get in the door but will it slam in his face once they break-up and her followers leave him in the dust?
And I hope he does. He is one talented man. Sometimes he just needs to believe in himself and his talents alittle more.
Trying to morph himself into looking like Tom Cruise is not helping his cause.
Trying to morph himself into looking like Tom Cruise is not helping his cause.
March 22, 2007 11:33 AM
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amen to that...
Since when is he trying to morph himself into looking like the Theton King?
Y'all must be wearing some strange glasses.....
I don't think she meant that you can't be 40 and be a rocker...I think she meant you can't be 40 and BECOME one if you weren't before. Like it or not, country is what got Keith where he is and it's pretty hard to change horses in mid-stream, especially to try to make a mark in rock music; the rockers don't seem to have as much trouble moving to country for whatever reason--Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen come to mind at the moment.
I don't think she meant that you can't be 40 and be a rocker...I think she meant you can't be 40 and BECOME one if you weren't before. Like it or not, country is what got Keith where he is and it's pretty hard to change horses in mid-stream, especially to try to make a mark in rock music; the rockers don't seem to have as much trouble moving to country for whatever reason--Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen come to mind at the moment.
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You've got that right, usually if you haven't made it in Pop or Rock before the age of 30, well you aren't going to be given a chance, unlike Country music where you can labor for 10, 15 or 20 years in obscurity and then be "discovered".
As to his love of his wife -- methinks he doth protest too much. :)
Al Gore was more believeable in 2000 when he planted a big wet one on Tipper. Awkward maybe, but sincere...yes.
What about those Rockers who are trying to break into the Country Music world...Jon Bon Jovi is using Country Music producers on his new album. Sheryl Crow has crossed over, Jon Mellancamp. There plenty more I could spit out, but to say you can't transition into a rocker at the age of 40 seems like just another reason to put Keith down. He's always had that country rock edge to him to begin with so it makes sense.
First, no one can buy respect, that has to be earned. Back in the end of 2005 (with a few stumbles from Oct-Dec) I would have said he had earned it. The tour was fabulous. The music was memorable. The rocket was about to lift off. But Keith pulled the shut down switch, he took a full year off to tend to his personal matters and make an album. An album that in my opinion is not up to his past standards. I think you are right, I think he was tired, burned out and willing to ride the coat-tails of the wife. I think he had second thoughts and maybe that was part of what sent him to rehab. Here in the US we fans fell for his image, not the real Keith Urban, and with all the wifely press in the past year, that image he worked so hard to create is now questioned here.
All the slander that has been thrown about has tarnished that image, IMHO, beyond salvage, so it is possible he will have to create a new image, one that he hopes people will accept. Me, I prefer the guy who used to play in the small venues and mean what he said. Australia, here is your chance to make your decisions in person, let us know what you think.
usually if you haven't made it in Pop or Rock before the age of 30, well you aren't going to be given a chance, unlike Country music where you can labor for 10, 15 or 20 years in obscurity and then be "discovered".
March 22, 2007 11:57 AM
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so true..and also unlike the Rock music industry..the Country music industry is more welcoming of an older artist..I have seen several do very well....
Rock wants young and sexy..they cater to the young...to the young Rock crowd KU isn't sexy he's an aging musician..they may find him a great musician..but unless he's backing up one of thier fave performers..he wouldn't sell music on his own merit to that audience...to them he's not HOT enough..
Anonymous said...
What about those Rockers who are trying to break into the Country Music world...Jon Bon Jovi is using Country Music producers on his new album. Sheryl Crow has crossed over, Jon Mellancamp. There plenty more I could spit out...
March 23, 2007 5:44 AM
Those are good examples of the cross into country but where are your examples of the cross into rock from country?
Has anyone ever done it and been successful?
I can't think of anyone.
Anonymous said...
What about those Rockers who are trying to break into the Country Music world...Jon Bon Jovi is using Country Music producers on his new album. Sheryl Crow has crossed over, Jon Mellancamp. There plenty more I could spit out, but to say you can't transition into a rocker at the age of 40 seems like just another reason to put Keith down. He's always had that country rock edge to him to begin with so it makes sense.
March 23, 2007 5:44 AM
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I don't think anyone here is trying to put Keith down, based on the demographics it doesn't seem to be a sound career decision. Yes, Keith has always had a rock edge, but that still doesn't change the fact that the Rock industry is one for the young performer. All of the older rock musicians you cite has being successful all built their fan base while they were young and that fan base has aged with them. I don't think that Keith will be given the chances that younger artists are given in the Rock genre, I just don't see him getting the spins on rock or pop radio stations, they will always see him as a Country Artist.
I've had mixed feelings over Keith's promotional tour in Australia. I understand his love of his homeland and I know he's always wanted to be successful over there. It always amazed me how they didn't 'get it.' He had a few loyal fans ... but in general, it was Keith who? Oh, he plays "country western" music ... country western music..that's too twangy.
One thing I was disappointed in was the way the Australian media obviously had no idea who he is as a performer. "Country Western" music carries a negative stigma in Australia (as stated in one of the Aussie radio shows) and that came across loud and clear in his promo interviews. On one occasion, he had to clearly deny being a country western singer and asserted that he's really an Aussie bar rocker. He's always been proud of his Aussie bar rockin' background and why not? But he's also been proud of his country roots.
That got my attention. It was like he was denying a friend...one that got him financial and career success here in North America. It's made it sound like he's ashamed of his country influences now.
Is Keith moving into the mainstream and leaving his country music behind altogether? He certainly seems to have left Nashville, having been back for only a handful of days since last October. His lifestyle is Hollywood royalty...not country music entertainer. And now, he seems embarrassed by the very genre that has made him a star here.
I would be happy if he achieved more crossover success. But to leave country behind ... to appear ashamed that he was in that genre ... that disappoints me. And to be honest, I don't think he is young enough to start over again in a pop or rock genre and gain success.
I've noticed a few people taking offense to the idea that Keith is too old to move into the rock or pop genre and make it. You know, he is a very talented performer, but let's be honest. He's 40 this year.
It would be one thing if he had been in the rock / pop world and successful already. He could very well sustain it, under those circumstances, as we see with the rock bands that have been around for 20+ years.
But I think we need to be realistic. I don't see a 40 year old man, even the husband of Nicole Kidman, inciting the teenie boppers and young 20 somethings who are rock enthusiasts and followers of Justin Timberlake to get on board the Keith Urban band wagon.
He appeals to country fans, because he has enough country in his music ... in the honesty and simplicity of the lyrics ... in the use of "country" instruments (banjo/ganjo)...to satisfy their country pallates. He has brought some "rockers" over to the country genre ...mainly those disillusioned by the newer rock acts and needing the feel of the 80's music.
But can he take that unique blend of country and 80's rock and have success as a rocker or a pop star in 2007? I personally don't think so.
To break into those genres, you need to be a 20 something bad boy. I don't see a 40 yr old man who is married to a high profile Hollywood actress having any measure of success in pop or rock in North America. It's just my opinion...I'm not in the industry. I could be wrong. But why jeopardize what you have if all you want to do is produce honest sincere music?
Keith's road to recoveryNui Te Koha
March 24, 2007 11:00pm
THE interview conditions are strict. No mention of Nicole Kidman or rehab, or the meeting is over.
Play it cool on the delicate matter of, ahem, country music, too.
Huh?
"Keith has moved on," a record company minder explains.
You can read the rest of the Crap Keith says at:
http://www.news.com.au/sundaymail/story/0,23739,21436223-5003421,00.html
WELL....there ya go ....they are admitting it...Keith is NOT country. Yeah and I have a bridge in Brooklyn.....
Hmmm.....I wonder what OTHER lies Keith has been spinning?????
SPIN SPIN SPIN...that is all his life is anymore. WHAT THE H E Double TOOTHPIKCS HAPPENED TO THE MUSIC KEITH????
He just played CRS less than a month ago...why market himself as country in the US and then deny he's a country artist in Oz? It's bipolar! And do they think that the US fans and country radio won't hear about those statements?
In the US...he needs country radio. If they don't play his music, no one will. His music doesn't "fit" on pop format or on a rock station.
I don't think Keith wants to leave country...but he is willing to say or do whatever it takes to "make it" in downunder. I think he did the same thing in the US when he had to...and now, he thinks he has made it and he can just coast. Time will tell.
you're right that he's willing to say anything.....
but Nashville has BIG EARS...don't think that they aren't "listening"
and so are many of his long-time fans...
What I don't understand it WHY is Australia so important to him? Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting Australia down, I just don't understand WHY it is so important to him that he will DO and SAY anything to make it there.
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