Keith Urban, Luke Bryan Kept Me Up All Night
I spent all afternoon yesterday drinking lattes so that I could stay up all night watching television. Three big country stars were on, and I caught them all so I could fill you in, just in case you missed them.
When it was very, very late, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon had Keith Urban on to do the Rolling Stones' "Tumbling Dice." I'd always thought Mick Jagger did a good job on that song, but after last night, all I have to say is Mick Jagger is no Keith Urban. His voice sounded perfectly suited for that song and he had his full band backing him. And those three ladies on background vocals? That was Sarah Buxton and Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman.
Just before that, Luke Bryan was on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno to do "Rain Is a Good Thing." I'm always so bummed when country bands go on late-night talk shows to perform and leave their country instruments at home. So it was great to see (and hear) Bryan's banjo player doing his thing. He even had some nice close-ups, so the camera man must be a country fan.
Starting things off was "Giddy On Up" singer Laura Bell Bundy on Chelsea Lately. She didn't perform. She was just there to chat. And the conversation got off to a great start when Handler brought out some of Blake Shelton's tweets and accused him of drinking while tweeting. Then Bundy talked about how she and her band in New York were so desperate to make enough money to buy Tarzan movie tickets that they played in a subway station and made $18. She's come a long way, baby.
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Faye says:
AWESOME performance from Keith! Loved that he had the three ladies there backing him up they sounded great too! Keith is such an awesome artist that he sounds great whether it’s country or rock! I would have to say that HIS version definitely rocked more than the original…..sorry Mick!!
granna says:
Keith and the group of singers and players he had accompany him were AWESOME! I was rocking out in front of my TV at about 2 in the morning and I am very tired here at work today, but let me tell you it was worth it! Keith can sing and play anything. The man is really an entertainer. I loved it! Mick, who? lol!! I loved how he did the shout out to Nashville. What a thoughtful man! It was also cute watching Keith do his little twist dance with Sarah!!
Doris says:
Keith is THE GREATEST!!!!!!
Alicia says:
Oh my word, that was an awesome performance by Keith. He totally rocked last night. He is a SUPERSTAR!!!
Marie says:
No EOTY winners can match that performance. Not Carrie Underwood, not Kenny Chesney nor Taylor Swift. To think that he hasn’t won an ACM EOTY is a real disgrace. The Country Music World will never know a gifted artist when they see one. I know I do and will always be his fan.
TG says:
A pop singer singing a pop song wow just amazing!!
TG says:
Marie you are right.Merle Haggard and George Strait are a couple other ETOY’s that couldn’t sing that song either,mainly because they would REFUSE to.
granna says:
TG,yeah that’s why we love him! He can sing country & pop and proved it many times! Now, what can you do besides criticize?
Alex Cain says:
Every since I herd days go by I have been a huge fan. I see keith living his dream and I get jealous. I only hope and dream that one day I am that succsesful.
Christy says:
TG,
He sang a Marty Robbins song medley last year at ACM’s tribute to George Strait and he hit it out of the ballpark. He even yoddled (spelling?). Even the critics said his performance was the best that night. So he proved he can outperform traditional country singers with a traditional country song and can go toe to toe with Mick Jagger and play lead guitar like Keith Richards at the same time. You know what that means? He is gifted.
Harriet says:
what is the big deal about pop vs. country? He’s an artist. Period. He can sing and play in any genre. You know what that means? It means he’s a talented artist who’s sharing that talent with the world. Stop trying to put labels on music. Just judge it by whether you like it or not. Keith rocked that song, there was no doubt about that!
Waterpup says:
“Mick Jagger is no Keith Urban” You got that right, I couldn’t agree with you more and he never will be either. Yes Keith Urban’s voice is perfectly suited for a song he didn’t and could never write on his own.
I’m not saying Keith is bad, in fact I like him very much, but truthfully Keith Urban is no Mick Jagger. He’s puts on a country schtick but he isn’t really country either. He’s a great singer an musician, but he’s corporate made. Sorry.
Redmaz says:
To Harriet, there is no big deal about Country or Pop. Pop is not an individual genre of music. You seem to be as uneducated about music as granna. There are “labels” (as you call it) for a reason. It’s the cornerstone of basic music fundamentals. POP is the industry, and is music intended for general appeal to the masses(no matter what the genre is). Keith Urban is first and foremost a POP singer. If you can explain how POP is an individual genre of music, please do so. I would love to hear it..
Redmaz says:
It seems as though Harriet is as musically uneducated as granna
hello says:
Wow , that was a great performance. WTG Keith and Company!
And Redmaz, all us uneducated peons appreciated the shout out in support of ALL of Nashville.
That came from the heart of all the performers on that stage with Keith.
Not good enough for you I guess? I guess none of your favorites ever needed a helping hand right? Common folk and musicians included.
Sue Ann says:
You have to wonder WHO is uneducated around here!?
By the way, The Stones and their music is called Rock and Keith Urban can do all of it and do it better than most. It is called Talent!
cher says:
Another unbelievable performance by Keith! Loved Sarah, Kimberly and Karen as his back-up singers too! It doesn’t matter what kind of music Keith sings, it’s all good!
Cindy says:
I agree with you Marie. I’ve seen Keith live 3 times and he knows how to entertain!!Love, Love, Love him! It’s definitely his time to win in that category. Sarah is a new favorite too. And Harriet you are right….doesn’t matter where they play your music, if you sing and and people like it….it’s all good.
michku3 says:
What?! I missed it! I will have to find the video online somewhere. Keith can sing it all! He is the best!
Melissa Correa says:
Keith and the and the entire band gave a FABULOUS performance.
Ricky says:
Redmaz,
There are ONLY TWO kinds of music - those you like and those you don’t. Genres are irrelevant. For a know-it-all like you, I am not surprised. Know-it-alls usually don’t listen and analyze what people say. They jump to conclusions, quick to criticize, and punch those who do not agree with them.
Marion says:
As usual he hit that song out of the ball park. Keith has got to be the most all round talented entertainer. I agree, it is time for him to win EOTY or even EOT Decade.
Can’t wait to see you again in Toronto.
Ripley says:
You just don’t get it do you Redmaz? Everyone thinks you’re arrogant and no one cares about your self-important opinions. Are things so bad on the “outside” that you need to come here to get noticed? Don’t answer…that was a rhetorical question.
And Waterpup - why would Keith have to be like Mike Jagger in order to cover a Stones song? Is that a prerequisite I’ve never heard of? Is it just this thread or are ALL the idiots out in force? Keith was asked to be on this show and do a Stones song. Spew your hot, fetid air toward Redmaz. She/he wouldn’t even notice!