Watch Keith Urban Rock CRS 2022 With Wild One Man Show

Who needs a band?

Written by Chris Parton
Watch Keith Urban Rock CRS 2022 With Wild One Man Show
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 18: In this image released on April 18, Keith Urban performs onstage at the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards at the Grand Ole Opry on April 18, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for ACM)

With so many country stars in one place, and an audience of radio pros who are sometimes more like friends than fans, just about anything can happen at the yearly Country Radio Seminar. Keith Urban was proof of that on Thursday (February 24).

The Aussie superstar capped this year’s UMG Nashville Luncheon at the famous Ryman Auditorium, closing a showcase that also featured Priscilla Block, Kylie Morgan, Kassi Ashton, Parker McCollum, Brothers Osborne, Boy Named Banjo, Jordan Davis, Little Big Town, Jon Pardi and Dierks Bentley. And of course, he stole the show in goofy, musical-madman style.

Beginning his 11-minute medley of hits with a joke — “I’d like to play a little guitar for you” Urban said, holding a small acoustic guitar — his one-man show was an awesome display of skill and charisma. Picking out rich, fleet fingered melodies and keeping the beat with his palm, Urban mashed up some of his biggest hits without even stopping for applause.

“Somebody Like You,” “You’ll Think of Me” and “Someday Baby,” all rolled by in quick succession, followed by “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “John Cougar, John Deere John 3:16,” “Wild Hearts” and many more more, as the superstar let loose onstage. On top of being undeniably impressive, it also felt casual and easy — like how Urban might play for himself at home just messing around — and the big finish was proof. Urban ended his time with a flurry of guitar-top percussion and joyful ad-libbing, and even scored some more laughs by using his head like a drum. Check it out in the video above.

There was much more to enjoy for those at day two of the three-day CRS 2022 in Nashville on Thursday, including speaking presentations and a night-time ping pong tournament with Scotty McCreery, Lady A, Ingrid Andress, Kid Rock and more. Check out a recap in the video above, and check back for more CRS coverage, as the annual conference closes with a bang today (February 25).