Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Keith Urban Gives Away Almost Every Award He Wins So One Person Can Keep a Room Full of Them

Keith Urban holds a CMA award on stage, showing the same trophies he often ships home so his mom can keep a room full of them.
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Keith Urban doesn’t just pick up awards, he packs them up and ships them off faster than most country stars can find a shelf.

For a guy who’s racked up more shiny hardware than a Nashville pawn shop, you’d think Keith Urban‘s house would look like a museum of golden trophies and polished plaques. But nope. The man behind hits like “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and “Somebody Like You” would rather send all that glory somewhere it truly counts. Straight back home to Mom.

In a recent chat on the Aussie radio show Fitzy & Wippa With Kate Ritchie, Keith pulled the curtain back on this sweet ritual. When asked what happens to every CMA, ACM, Grammy, or fan-voted piece of bragging rights he earns, he didn’t even flinch. Almost all of them wind up in Queensland, Australia, where his mom’s got a room that puts the Country Music Hall of Fame to shame.

“Over the years, I’ve sent a lot to my mom up in Queensland,” he said. “She’s got them on display there. It’s really nice.” You can almost picture it. Keith’s mom giving the postman a knowing smile as another parcel rolls up, maybe dusting off a space between an old school photo and that Triple Crown award he finally kept for himself.

Yeah, about that one. Even Keith admits that after decades in the business, a few milestones are too big not to hang on to. His ACM Triple Crown Award, which means he’s scored New Artist, Male Artist, and Entertainer of the Year, actually lives on the piano at home, the only trophy that’s earned permanent residence next to Nicole Kidman’s Oscars and Golden Globes. Keith even joked he’d swap her awards out for his own, but come on, we all know who’s boss in that house.

For every other piece of metal, though, it’s about something more than ego. Keith grew up in Queensland, the son of an immigrant father who loved American country music so much he’d stay up late to blast records from the Grand Ole Opry. When Keith finally made it big, every gold statue wasn’t just a win for him. It was a tribute to the family that helped him dream up a life halfway across the world.

Ask anyone who’s seen Urban live, whether he’s shredding solos with that signature grin or jumping into the crowd like he’s still hungry for every single fan, the guy’s as humble as they come. Maybe it’s because he knows exactly where he came from, or maybe it’s because he’s got a momma back home who reminds him every day what really matters.

Between raising two kids with Nicole, dropping a new record like High, and crisscrossing the globe on his High and Alive World Tour, Keith’s proving yet again why he’s still one of country’s best showmen. He doesn’t need a hallway full of trophies to keep him grounded. Just a guitar, a good song, and that steady reminder that it’s family first, fame second.

So here’s to Keith Urban, the superstar who’d rather see his mom’s face light up than his own ego puff out. Every singer with a shelf full of dust-covered awards could learn something from his playbook. Winning’s fine, but sending those wins home where they really mean something. Now that’s the real prize.

Trending

Latest Stories

Jon Pardi, wife Summer, and their two daughters together, before the couple's divorce announcement.

Jon Pardi and His Wife, Summer, Are Divorcing After Nearly Six Years and Two Daughters Together

One of country music’s most grounded couples is calling it quits. Jon Pardi and his wife, Summer, announced their divorce, confirming they’ve decided to part ways after nearly six years ...

Clint Black on stage, before the hospitalization that forced him to cancel his July 3 show.

Clint Black Canceled His July 3 Concert After Being Hospitalized, but He’s Expected to Fully Recover

The good news comes first. Clint Black is going to be just fine. The country icon was forced to cancel his July 3 appearance at Pearl River Resort Casino in ...

An emotional Rhett Akins on the Opry stage, finally getting his membership invitation.

Rhett Akins Finally Got His Grand Ole Opry Invitation After 30 Years and Could Barely Find the Words

A man who has written over 30 No. 1 hits for a living stood on the Grand Ole Opry stage Saturday night and couldn’t think of a single word to ...

Ella Langley performing live, marking "Choosin' Texas" returning to No. 1 for an 11th week and breaking a chart record that stood since 1977.

Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” Is Back at No. 1 for an 11th Week and Broke a Record That Stood Since 1977

They kept knocking her off, and she kept coming back. Drake bumped her. Ariana Grande bumped her. Taylor Swift bumped her. And every single time, “Choosin’ Texas” climbed right back ...

Shania Twain commanding the Wembley stage in the daring look that divided fans.

Shania Twain Wore a Bold Outfit at Wembley and Fans Can’t Agree If It Was Too Much or Perfect

Shania Twain walked onto the Wembley Stadium stage in front of 90,000 people wearing a see-through black lace dress with a white bra and matching shorts underneath, and the internet ...

Miranda Lambert performing "The House That Built Me," the tearjerker that topped the charts back in 2010.

Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” Hit No. 1 Sixteen Years Ago and It Still Wrecks People

Sixteen years ago, a song that was never supposed to be Miranda Lambert’s gave her the first No. 1 of her career. And every Father’s Day, every homecoming, every time ...

A composite image of Ella Langley and Alan Jackson, tied to her emotional video tribute at his final show.

Ella Langley’s Video Tribute to Alan Jackson at His Farewell Concert Said What Every Young Artist Feels

Every major name in country music showed up to say goodbye to Alan Jackson at Nissan Stadium. But one of the most genuine tributes came from someone who wasn’t even ...

12:00 AMClaude responded: Alan Jackson and George Strait performing together at Alan's final concert, where Strait made a rare appearance and brought his old friend a drink.Alan Jackson and George Strait performing together at Alan's final concert, where Strait made a rare appearance and brought his old friend a drink.

George Strait Made a Rare Appearance at Alan Jackson’s Final Concert and Brought Him a Drink

George Strait doesn’t show up for just anybody. But when Alan Jackson calls last round, the King of Country shows up with a drink in his hand. Strait strolled onto ...

Alan Jackson and Taylor Swift together, after her tribute video got a divided reaction at his Nashville farewell show.

Taylor Swift Got Booed When Her Tribute Video Played at Alan Jackson’s Farewell Concert

It was supposed to be a tribute. The crowd had other plans. Right before Alan Jackson took the stage at his farewell concert at Nissan Stadium on June 27, Grand ...

10:20 PMClaude responded: Alan Jackson on stage during his final concert, taking a bow as he officially steps into retirement after decades in country music.Alan Jackson on stage during his final concert, taking a bow as he officially steps into retirement after decades in country music.

Alan Jackson Played His Final Concert at Nissan Stadium, and Even a Storm Couldn’t Stop Him

The sky opened up over Nashville on Saturday night. Lightning cracked across the horizon, and 50,000 people were told to leave their seats. For about 30 minutes, Alan Jackson’s final ...