Keith Urban Doesn't Care About Illegal Downloads
When Keith Urban won favorite male artist at the People's Choice Awards last night (Jan. 6), my first thought was how much he deserved it. (Actually I think my very first thought was, "Oh my God. That is a lot of ink he's sporting on his left pec.") But tattoo shock aside, he was the clear winner over John Mayer, Tim McGraw, Eminem, and Jason Mraz. And I think his acceptance speech had to make his likability factor skyrocket even for people who hadn't voted for him. As he was thanking everyone for voting, watching at home and people who came out to see him on tour, he also added Monkeyville to his list. That's his fan club, and he appreciates how hard the members work to get his music out there, adding, "I don't even care if you download it illegally, give it to your friends, I really don't care." That's how passionate he is about sharing the love -- he'd put music before his own personal wealth. No wonder he's such a fan favorite.
Photo credit: Michael Caulfield/Getty Images
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Katie says:
Keith is so cool. I was glad he won, especially in an all-genre artist category. I think it just speaks volumes about how good he is. I love when country singers win at award shows like those.
hotelmotel says:
Alison says that Urban’s statement that he doesn’t care if you download illegally shows that “he’d put music before his own personal wealth.”
Really? That makes a lot of assumptions. He’s saying he doesnt care if people who are promoting his music download it illegally and give it to a friend. But its quite possible that Urban MAKES more money if people pass around some illegally downloaded music to friends. After all, those friends may well then buy some of Urban’s music, based on what they heard. And some may even go see Urban in concert. Urban makes money each time.
Moreover, if the statement gets Urban publicity (as it did from Alison), it may help him. Some of Alison’s readers may download an Urban track and pay for it after seeing this post.
Even if Urban doesn’t make more money as a result, he may lose nothing. After all, the people who are willing to listen to an illegal download might not have been willing to pay $1 for the iTunes track. If so, Urban loses no more money than a book publisher loses when a library customer who would refuse to step inside a Barnes and Noble reads a library book. And if that’s the case, Urban isnt sacrificing his wealth in any way.
Keith Urban sounds is surely a wonderful person. And he may well be willing to trade off some money for a bit extra fame or publicity or even a bigger audience. But Alison is jumping to conclusions. Her conclusions about Urban may well be correct but her evidence does not support them.
Misty says:
Keith sooo deserved it! He rocks and everyone knows it!
Love you Keith! I voted 800 times!!
Granna says:
I was so very happy for Keith!! He is a wonderful person and an outstanding artist and entertainer. He gives his all in concert with so much passion. He really tries so hard to get to his fans and it shows! Love you Keith! Congrats and God Bless!
Ann Johnson says:
Keith Urban is the best singer, musician, entertainer and writer, so it was a true wonderful moment when he won. He deserves every accolade and award that comes his way, and a lot that go to someone else!!
Peacock Queen says:
Ann Johnson,
I agree. Totally.
cindy says:
Hotelmotel is right on the target. Keith is making more money than any of us realize. Just read the Nashville news about the investigative work they did on Keith’s concert ticket deal he made with Ticketmaster, where it was stated there were $20 seats when in reality only 200 out of the tens of thousands were that cheap. Plus the deal where large chunks of prime seating was allowed to be put out to the highest bidder. I know Ticketmaster makes the money too, but Keith needs to be more honest about how much he cares for the “average worker” in affording his shows. I really wanted to see Keigh in Kansas City only to find nothing under $75 and that was in the nosebleed section, one day after the seats were made available! Also, I don’t remember the details but there was some moneymaking going on at that “free” concert Keith and others performed for some place in Nashville (sorry I can’t remember details-google it). I know all artists make deals, but it ticks me somewhat when someone like Keith sounds so caring when the details show another story. So either really come through and reduce concert ticket prices or stay mum. Don’t get me wrong, I love Keith, but I think he’s lost his “average guy” persona after marrying NIcole and the lifestyle they live with million dollar penthouses, private airplanes, etc. When I hear Keith and Nicole are donating some of their millions to real people in need, that’s when my respect for Keith will go back to where it first was, before he made it big.
Robin says:
I’m not realy crazy about Keith’s music, but I think the guy is incredibly talented and is a super nice guy. I don’t think he has one song that I just love (although I don’t hate any either). I’m really glad he won and hope to see more wins for him in categories such as EOY at the ACM’s and CMA’s.
He and Nicole make a really nice couple. Here’s wishing him continued success.
sherry says:
Keith Urban rocks! Not only is he an exceptional vocalist, but he is also an awsome guitarist. He is a wild man. It’s about time someone with class won a peoples choice award. Unfortunately, I did not see the awards show because of just how disgusting some of the previous winners have behaved on national television. (i.e. people like Kanye West and the likes of him)Can’t wait to see him in concert in September! Keep rockin, Keith! Nicole is a lucky woman!!!
Clif says:
Would you think it was so cool for Keith to promote illegal downloading to millions of impressionable young people around the world if you were a songwriter - and your income depended on the royalties that you receive from music sales? I doubt it. Would Keith be “so passionate” about people stealing his music if he were not already a millionaire? I bet not. Possibly, he should offer up his concert tickets for free. That way he doesn’t get paid either. Music is not free. If he wants to give his music away for free - that is fine. He should offer it on his website. But he should NOT encourage people to steal it. It is against the law. And, it hurts everyone who makes music for a living.
Missy says:
I am so excited that Keith is finally getting the recognition that he deserves. He is such a talented artist, more than just a pretty face. I do feel that he
is a humble artist, remembering how he got to where he is now. Unfortunately, with fame comes the fact that everyone involved wants a piece of the pie;sponsers, venues, etc. He is not the only artist who has bidding on tickets, and I don’t think they have complete control over some of it. Having “connections” with people to get good concert seating is the same as any other thing in life. I am a Monkeyville member and his music and looks give me pleasure. And thats priceless.
Sunshine says:
Clif said it perfectly. Obviously Keith is now a multi-millionaire since his union with Hollywood. I didn’t appreciate his comment at all. What about the little people that help make your albums Keith? Excellent comment about free concerts. If he wants people to hear his music, why doesn’t he do a completely free tour?
elizabeth says:
Agree with Clif and Sunshine.
K says:
Folks , if you missed the sincerity in the love of the music, when Keith was so excited to receive his award last night, then you missed the genuine talent that he is. My first lawn seat concert back before “love somebody like you” went #1, all you could do was focus on the strings in his guitars, not his looks, or vocals so much, the guy has plenty of “in love with his guitar ” now that is entertainment in a real nice way, Congrats Keith, you are one of a kind
Matt says:
Oh my God people, he was just kidding.
Kim says:
Keith is a true talent. I think he got caught up in the moment and his true intent misconstrued. As for him being a multi-millionaire since his union with Hollywood, he was making multi-millions before marrying Nicole. And, last year he didn’t do a free tour but he did play six No-Frills shows last spring that were totally free. He is one of the truly honest, down-home people in the music business.
JP says:
So happy Keith got the award…he so deserved it! The download comment no big deal…people are doing it regardless of keith’s comment.
He’s such a good entertainer and has a sweet smile!
Joan says:
Shame on you Keith, guess you don’t care about this writers that write some of your songs are contribute to them, by illegal downloading you are taking money from their pockets. How do you think they make a living, royalties from their songs being played on radio and from downloads, legal ones.
Granna says:
CONGRATULATIONS Keith!! So Happy for you!! You deserve every award possible. I enjoyed your Escape Together Tour this past summer! It was OUT OF THIS WORLD amazing! Saw you 3 times. You are EOTY regardless of whom got the award!
Faye says:
Get over the comment people. Keith was just expressing how passionate he feels about his music and his fans. Keith is one of the very few artists that really shows how he loves his fans by expressing it through his speeches and through his music by playing “in” the crowd and not “to” the crowd. Also, Keith did offer $20 seats at mostly ALL of his shows last year, it’s not his fault when scaplers obtain tickets and sell them above the original price and he certainly does not have any say in where or how many of those seats are sold for that price. HE IS ONLY THE ARTIST! At least he was trying to help people to attend his shows by offering these seats. Also, his tickets are among the fairest priced tickets in music for an AWESOME 2 hour show! As for Keith and Nicole giving millions, you need to check your facts and you will see that Keith and Nicole both donate plenty to different charities and Keith gives his time to those he feels close to his heart such as the St Jude Childrens Hospital and The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Keith was a millionaire and a star before his marriage to Nicole and he certainly does not need to go “hollywood” to be that and even with all that he is still one of the most humble and genuine artists out there today. Enjoy your award Keith, you deserve it! Good luck at the Grammys!
catherine says:
“Monkeyville” Hahahahahahahah!
Jann says:
I think some of the Country music industry people on here have toally missed the point. He was talking about HIS music being passed around not others. Also you have to wonder if executives like Cliff aren’t just a bit concerned about the money that he loses? These executives are certainly not giving the GOOD people of this country & the world enough credit. We know the difference between right & wrong. Here is some news for you execs, the people who feel no guilt about illegal downloading were doing it long before Keith Urban ever made this statement & would be doing it if he never made it. People are way more intelligent then you think. How about the backroom deals executives at companies make for concert tickets that Keith nor any other artist has any control over. Perhaps these music industry songwriting execs whould look at themselves in the mirror. Keith is one artist that truly cares, can these people say the same thing? If a good song is written it will get published & used & make money. If it doesn’t then these people need to be like the rest of the world & get a different job. Some people wouldn’t even consider songwriting a job in the first place.
hotelmotel says:
Somehow, I think telling people to “get over the comment” is likely to anger people more than convince them that, in fact, the comment was no big deal.
Michelle R. says:
Congrats to Keith! He is a true entertainer with amazing talent. I’m so happy he won that award. He deserves it!
MiaT says:
I am not reading all these posts because I thought it was so funny when he said that! He was just so happy and I think he just wants everyone to hear the music he loves no matter how the get it…..
Lisa D. says:
I am so happy for Keith and deserves every award in my book,so happy that life is going so good for him and that he has got his life back in a good place so we can continue to enjoy his music and smile for a long time!!! Im a true fan and always will be, congratulations Keith!!!
Christine Burns says:
Keith is awesome!!!Keith is a modern day Elvis Presley. Keith is so talented words cannot describe it.
J Chamberlin says:
KIETH YOU ARE A VERY COOL EMTERTAINER,LOVE YOUR MUSIC.
YOU HAVE A GREAT FAMILY.
FROM AN OLE GRANNY WHO ENJOYS ALL MUSIC
Blair says:
I am sooo happy for Keith! He has gotton passed over for so many years because of music politics and not just what it should be for …his wonderful talent!He has deserved EOY for the last two years! As far as his comment went he just wanted to share his music to change lives his was changed by music,this is VERY obvious if you attend any of his lives shows. As far as him not helping others…he gives his money and time to St. Judes as well as an inner city school for poor kids who want a chance for an education and music instruction,He AND Nicole wrote LARGE checks to those Austrailians who needed help due to the horrible drout in Austrailia last summer as well as to Aboriginal charities. Those are just the ones we know about as evidenced by the $450 foot pedal he bought for a random Child in a music store over the Xmas holiday,that we only knew about because the clerk told NOT Keith’s handlers. This is a wonderful musician and more importantly a compationate human being who deserves EVERY good thing that is said about him and more!!!
Pam says:
For an example, during the recent CMA’s when the Zac Brown Band did Devil went down to Georgia, Keith was in the front row of the audience and was literaly on the edge of his seat. He looked like he would have liked nothing better than to jump on stage with them. Not to upstage them but to play because you could see the pure joy on his face and the respect of their talent. Unless you have followed his career you don’t understand his absolute passion for music. I agree his comments in regards to downloading were only meant to relate to his own music but he was trying to get the point across that music is meant to be shared and that is more important to him than money. He went through paying his dues and not knowing when his next meal would come from when he first came to the US so understand that he does not perform just for the fame & money but more for the art & love of music.
Melanie says:
Keith is a most passionate artist I have ever seen and he truly loves his music and “his fans” that come out to his concerts.I have never been to a concert where an artist is so concerned that his fans and new comers feel so welcome with his music and compassion to make the night the best ever! Love all you do Keith! You are the best! and Ann Johnson you said it perfectly!
Barb says:
Stars are in the limelight: their every moves, actions and words under the microscope, their motives dissected, inspected and often mis-interpreted. I can’t imagine having to try to live such a perfect life as to keep everyone happy and never utter a word that may offend or be misconstrewn. So Keith, you are loved and adored just as you are because of your big heart and your desire to reach out and touch people’s lives. God blessed you with many talents and God bless you for sharing them. As for value for money - that’s relative: how much will some folks pay to see a bumch of grown men chase a bag of wind around a football field. Hellooo?
john drake says:
Aaaaaah how predictable, the mega selling artist who has benefited from years of Major Record Promotion from major labels who once had the systems in place to prevent major piracy now gets to get down with the kids and say “i dont care about free downloading”
Its alright for the self righteous big shot like him or tom yorke and a zillion other mega selling artists to condone free downloading but what about all the other up and coming artists who simply want to earn a living?
Karen says:
People will illegally download songs whether Keith Urban condones it or not…and “kids” probably do so more than anyone else - not because Keith Urban says its okay to do it, but because they understand all the new technology more than most adults. Not taking Keith so literally, and reading between the lines, he just wants to get his music out there! Congrats Keith!
Susan says:
Good grief. Do you think Keith is responsible for all the illegal downloads going on? If you know what kind of guy Keith Urban is, you wouldn’t doubt the meaning behind his comments on the People’s Choice Awards. That man doesn’t have a dishonest bone in his body and for anyone to suggest that is clearly misinformed. And why all the disdain for an artist trying to make a buck. Good Lord…it’s their career! Of course they want to make money…lots of it. If you don’t like your celebrities making tons of money…go live in another country. Some of you people slay me.
Peacock Queen says:
I didn’t watch the show, but I think he was kidding. Sometimes we say things in an effort to make people laugh, and it comes out wrong, or we are misunderstood because someone might not know us well enough to know that we are really trying to be comical instead of serious. Or, as others have suggested, he was simply trying to find a way to express his passion for music. I doubt that he seriously meant that it is O.K. to steal music. Maybe he should have thought a little bit more about his words, but how many of us have spoken before we thought? All of us, and if you say no, then you are not being honest. Let’s cut him a break on this one.
Tennesseegal says:
I think it was just a heat of the moment thing. Illegal downloading and theft of creative property should not be condoned however.
Skeeter says:
Man, if there’s something I like, it’s food!
mcgriddle says:
Wonderful post — why don’t you have a “print this” button?
David says:
So what about the songwriters who’s music Keith cuts? Is he going to write checks to them out of his personal account to make up for the free downloads?
Billy says:
Keith or any other singer has no control over what a person downloads.Kid rock said that same things.Toby keith said it hurts the songwritter the most.Well If you look on Keiths new cd he writes almost all of his songs.Keit will make more money being carefree to something he has no control over.I will lay money down if you met keith over other singers he is the nicest you’ll meet.
ahh says:
i do like KU - but he royally f’d this one up. Please don’t inspire people to steal…
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