Keith Urban Yelled "Yee Haw" At His Opry Induction: “It's a Long Way from Caboolture"
The Australian country star is a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Not only is Keith Urban a Grammy winner artist behind hits like “Blue Ain't Your Color” and “Somebody Like You,” the Australian country star is a longtime and beloved member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Country fans are always delighted to watch Urban take the stage at the iconic Nashville music venue, and it’s always a treat when his wife Nicole Kidman joins him at the Opry. In 2021, for instance, Urban gave Kidman a kiss on stage before he had her autograph his guitar that would later be auctioned off at a charity event. "I’ve never been on the stage at the Opry, wow!" she said on stage.
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Indeed, Urban always puts on a memorable show at the Grand Ole Opry — a place he's said holds a "very, very special place" in his heart — but when exactly did his history with the Home of Country Music begin? Read on for everything you need to know.
When did Keith Urban join the Grand Ole Opry?
Urban became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on April 21, 2012, more than a decade after he made his debut as a solo artist in 2000.
The “Put You In A Song” singer was caught by surprise when Vince Gill along with members from Rascal Flatts, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Diamond Rio invited him to join the Grand Ole Opry on stage at a benefit concert in Nashville.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’d like to invite Keith Urban to become the next member of the Grand Ole Opry,” Gill said as Urban unzipped a large black duffel bag containing a microphone stand that served as his official invitation.
“I’m shocked, I’ve got to say,” Urban told the crowd. “It’s a huge honor and how beautiful to have this happen tonight of all nights.”
About a week later, Urban was officially inducted into the historic country music institution when Trace Adkins presented him with his Opry Member Award, which the “Days Go By” country star graciously and happily accepted with a “Yee haw!”
“That is awesome!” Urban said at his 2012 induction ceremony, per Billboard. “It's a long way from Caboolture [Queensland, Australia] to the stage here at the Grand Ole Opry … and to stand in this circle is the most phenomenal thing. I just want to thank the Opry for this honor, but also the responsibility. This is a responsibility that I take deep to the heart of me. …This once and for all shows the global popularity and reach of country music. … I honor the history of country music, but I absolutely fully dedicate myself to the future of country music, as well. God bless you all.”
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Keith Urban will perform at the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration
Joining a star-studded lineup of Opry members and country stars, Urban is slated to perform at NBC’s three-hour 100th anniversary event, Opry 100: A Live Celebration, on Wednesday, March 19.
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Viewers can also expect performances from Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Clint Black, Dierks Bentley, Garth Brooks, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Marty Stuart, Reba McEntire, Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, The War and Treaty, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Jamey Johnson, Post Malone, Ricky Skaggs, Steven Curtis Chapman, Terri Clark, Travis Tritt, and Yolanda Adams.
Opry 100: A Live Celebration airs live from Nashville on March 19 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on NBC, and will be simulcast on Peacock
