Keith Urban and Tamworth Country Music Festival Launch Groundbreaking Rising Star Scholarship
- All Country News
- 18 hours ago
- 2 min read
Keith Urban’s journey from small-town hopeful in Tamworth to global country music icon has long been a story of grit, talent, and the right opportunities at the right time. Now, the four-time GRAMMY winner is making sure another rising artist gets a similar shot at turning dreams into destiny.
In partnership with the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Urban has announced the creation of the Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship. The initiative promises to be a game-changer for Australian talent looking to break into the heart of country music. Each year, one emerging artist will be selected to step directly into Nashville’s vibrant scene with unparalleled access to write, perform, and record. The experience includes two full days inside Urban’s own studio, The Sound, once known as the legendary Tracking Room where countless hits were born.
For Urban, the scholarship is as much about giving back as it is about shaping the next wave of voices in the genre. “Sometimes all a musician needs is an opportunity to be heard or someone to help nurture their talent,” shared Urban. “Having the opportunity to do that not only inspires me, but I’m also hoping that in some way this scholarship will serve to inspire others.”
It is a mission that echoes throughout his career. Whether by championing emerging artists as opening acts, collaborating with fresh voices, or showing up in classrooms and workshops, Urban has consistently used his platform to lift up those still climbing the ladder.
Peter Ross, Executive Manager of the Tamworth Festival, says the partnership couldn’t be more fitting. “Keith is the living embodiment of the Tamworth Festival pathway to success and together we want to help give other artists the opportunity to take Australian country music to the world. It’s wonderful that Keith continues to recognise and support the industry that helped shape his career.”
Applications for the scholarship will open in January 2026 through the festival’s official site, giving hopefuls a chance to follow in the footsteps of a man who started on the very same Tamworth stages.
The story comes full circle here. Tamworth was the launchpad for Urban’s ascent, a place where ambition first met opportunity. Decades later, he stands among the genre’s greats with four GRAMMYs, 13 CMAs, 15 ACMs, and 15 Golden Guitars to his name. His collaborations span from Taylor Swift to The Rolling Stones, Post Malone to P!nk, and his legacy is cemented as both a member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
And yet, he remains firmly committed to pulling the next generation forward. The Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship isn’t just a ticket to Nashville, it is an investment in the future of country music, written with the same authenticity and generosity that have defined Urban’s career.
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