Each year, one lucky artist will get to experience Nashville’s music scene with the Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship.
By
Madeleine O’Connell
| Posted on
August 18, 2025
at
12:46 pm
Keith Urban; Photo by Andrew Wendowski, Music Mayhem
Keith Urban is teaming up with one of Australia’s largest and longest country music events, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, to help the next generation of Australian country stars. In partnership with the prestigious event, Urban has launched the Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship.
This new program aims to give emerging Australian country acts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Nashville’s booming music scene and gain hands-on industry experience. The scholarship recipients will get the chance to perform write, record, meet industry personnel and enjoy two days of recording time at Urban’s recording studio, The Sound (formerly the legendary Tracking Room).
Each year in January, over 300,000 people flock to Tamworth in North West NSW for the festival that spans 10 days and welcomes hundreds of artists and thousands of shows, including the Country Music Awards of Australia, also known as the Toyota Golden Guitar Awards.
The newly announced Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship is another way for Urban to continue his long-standing commitment to supporting emerging artists. Throughout his career, the Australian singer/songwriter has used his platform to mentor up-and-coming musicians by offering them opportunities to collaborate or tour alongside him as a supporting act. Recently, he teamed up with Blake Shelton to host the new music CBS reality competition series THE ROAD, which was created as a new way to help guide a group of rising musicians as they travel across America chasing their dreams.
A post shared by Keith Urban (@keithurban)
On top of all that, Urban has taken part in music education programs that give aspiring artists valuable insight into the industry. In doing so, Urban says he feels inspired in his own career and hopes to pass that motivation and generosity onto others.
“Sometimes all a musician needs is an opportunity to be heard or someone to help nurture their talent,” said 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.”
Peter Ross, Executive Manager of the Tamworth Festival, shared that the team is delighted to join forces with Keith Urban to offer one deserving artist this unique scholarship each year.
“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 Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship will open in January 2026 and can be submitted online via www.tcmf.com.au/keith-urban-rising-star.
The “Long Hot Summer” singer’s ties to Tamworth run deep and his inspiring rise to stardom highlights the life-changing opportunities the festival provides to emerging artists. Since his early days of performing in Tamworth, he has racked up four GRAMMY Awards, 13 CMAs (including two Entertainer of the Year honors), 15 ACMs, three AMAs, nine ARIA Awards, and 15 Golden Guitar Awards.
He has also collaborated with legends of all different musical genres and earned memberships in both the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.
Currently, Keith Urban is on the road for his High and Alive World Tour, which features special guests Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen, and Karley Scott Collins on select dates. The tour will conclude on October 17 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Written by
Madeleine O’Connell
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
Playlist
Country Now is a trusted source for country music news. Established in June of 2019, Country Now has become a go-to online destination for country music enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
Get the latest country music news delivered straight to your inbox.
© 2025 Country Now. All Rights Reserved.
Advertise | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy 
SUBSCRIBE