Country music superstar Keith Urban is set to perform with seven young musicians who have participated in the GRAMMY Foundation(R)'s GRAMMY Camp(R) music program on the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS, airing live from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Monday, Dec. 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. The performance is intended to highlight the need to support music-based initiatives that attract young people to music and encourage their musical pursuits. As part of the campaign, a $25,000 donation will be made to support the GRAMMY Foundation's GRAMMY in the Schools programs, including scholarship support for GRAMMY Camp.
Through the years, Urban's commitment to music programs has been consistent and unwavering. He's been an active participant in the efforts of The Grammy Foundation's Grammy Camp and Nashville's Music Makes Us program and has encouraged aspiring musicians by giving them the opportunity to perform. His annual We're All For The Hall concerts have raised nearly $1.5 million for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which supports numerous music-based initiatives, and just recently he participated in the Hall's first All Access music program.
Additionally, hosts
Trace Adkins and
Kristin Chenoweth each will be added to the list of performers for AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS.
The two-hour, star-studded special also will feature appearances by Eli Young Band, Lindsey Buckingham,
Carmen Electra, Florida Georgia Line, Gloriana, Love and Theft,
Penn & Teller and the San Francisco Giants' Brandon Belt and
Barry Zito. Previously announced participants include
Natasha Bedingfield,
Scotty McCreery,
Lauren Alaina, champion cowboy Trevor Brazile,
Casey James,
Miranda Lambert,
LeAnn Rimes, Lee Brice, Jana Kramer, Dustin Lynch, Ron White and
Chris Young.
The two-hour live music spectacular offers country music fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists not only in traditional categories, but also in a previously unrecognized area - touring - encompassing the entire spectrum of country music.
In 2001, the Country Music Association honored
Keith Urban with its Horizon Award, designating him a talented artist with a bright future. He is the first Horizon Award winner in history to go on to win the CMA's Male Vocalist of the Year, a title he's captured three times, and the coveted Entertainer of the Year. More than 15 million albums later, Urban is a four-time Grammy Award winner, who has also won a People's Choice and American Music Award. He's won five Academy of Country Music Awards and had 14 No. 1 songs, including 28 Top 5 hits. In 2012, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His latest CD, "Get Closer," comes on the heels of his fifth consecutive platinum or multi-platinum release. It has produced three consecutive No. 1 singles: "You Gonna Fly," "Long Hot Summer" and "Without You."
In 2009, Urban was named radio's most-played country artist, thanks to No. 1 hits such as "Sweet Thing," "You'll Think Of Me," "Only You Can Love Me This Way," "Better Life" and "Days Go By." In addition, his 2002 smash, "Somebody Like You," was named the No. 1 Country Song of the Decade by Nielsen BDS (based on radio airplay and audience impressions).
But Urban's reputation as an elite songwriter, musician, vocalist and virtuoso guitarist is no more evident than when he is onstage. His electrifying concerts have played to sold-out venues in Australia, Germany, England, Canada and the United States, all while receiving high praise from critics. In fact, 2009's Escape Together World Tour, as well as 2007's Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy World Tour, were both, according to Pollstar, one of the top-grossing tours for their respective years. Last year, his Get Closer 2011 World Tour solidified Urban as one of the music industry's best live performers.
About the GRAMMY Foundation's GRAMMY Camp(R)
The GRAMMY Foundation's GRAMMY Camp offers selected high school students an interactive residential summer music experience. Focusing on all aspects of commercial music, this unique opportunity provides instruction by industry professionals in an immersive creative environment with cutting-edge technology in professional facilities. The program offers seven music career tracks: Audio Engineering; Concert Promotion/Production; Electronic Music Production; Marketing & Management; Music Journalism; Songwriting and a Performance Track for Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboard, Vocal and Winds & Strings. All tracks culminate in media projects, recordings and/or showcase performances. The GRAMMY Camp application deadline is March 31, 2013. In the past, approximately 75 percent of GRAMMY Camp participants who have applied for financial aid received assistance. Applications are online now at www.GRAMMYintheSchools.com.
About the GRAMMY Foundation(R)
The GRAMMY Foundation was established in 1989 to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture ? from the artistic and technical legends of the past to the still unimagined musical breakthroughs of future generations of music professionals. The Foundation accomplishes this mission through programs and activities that engage the music industry and cultural community as well as the general public. The Foundation works in partnership year-round with its founder, The Recording Academy(R), to bring national attention to important issues such as the value and impact of music and arts education and the urgency of preserving our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit www.grammyintheschools.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, please like "GRAMMY in the Schools" on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grammyintheschools and follow us on Twitter @GRAMMYFdn.
AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS is executive-produced by
Bob Bain (TEEN CHOICE 2012, "Kids' Choice Awards"). Fletcher Foster, Paul Flattery and Tisha Fein serve as producers. Greg Sills is supervising producer.
Michael Dempsey will direct the live special.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.
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