Keith Urban. Photo: Supplied
Australian country singer Keith Urban has been inducted into the Roll of Renown at the Country Music Awards of Australia at a ceremony last night in Tamworth.
The 57-year-old Urban was born in Whangārei, before moving to Australia at the age of two.
He started his career as a busker at the Tamworth Country Music Festival before winning the festival's Talent Quest and being catapulted into stardom.
The Roll of Renown was established in 1976 and is used to celebrate artists who have made a lasting and significant impact on Australian country music.
To induct him into Roll of Renown on Saturday night, Kasey Chambers sang a heartfelt ballad while young artist Denvah spoke of his powerful influence on aspiring musicians.
In accepting the honour, Urban thanked a swathe of people, in particular his "early believers".
"All of us artists know that it takes the early believers seeing something in you," he said.
He recalled his first trip to the Tamworth Country Music Festival at the age of nine, setting things in motion for a huge career in music.
"I just want to say thank you to the city of Tamworth because I have so many memories here. Troy [Cassar-Daley] and I busking...on Peel Street."
Urban reflected on watching other country music greats inducted into the Roll of Renown, which includes the likes of the late Tex Morton, Slim Dusty, John Williamson, Joy McKean, Kasey Chambers, Troy Cassar-Daley and Graeme Connors.
"To be in that family is mind-blowing," he said.
Moments after accepting the honour, Urban received his 15th Golden Guitar; his 12th studio album, High, won Top Selling Album of the Year.
Urban revealed he had actually written, and scrapped, an entire album before creating High.
There was a special Keith Urban connection for Tamworth's own Ashleigh Dallas, who claimed the award for Traditional Country Album of the Year.
Her mum, Lynette, was the Queen of Country in 1990, the same year Keith Urban won Star Maker.
The album was produced by Dallas' dad, Brett, who joined her with her brother to accept the award.
- ABC / RNZ
