‘Catch of the Day’ – Keith Urban – “Blue Ain’t Your Color” [AUDIO]

Today we feature an artist who released not one, but two self-titled debut albums; one in his adopted home country in 1991, and a second, that was certified platinum in the U.S. in 1999. In between, there was a journey that took him from being an Australian rocker, to a trouble session musician to a country superstar, a span that included a little time on The Ranch.

Keith Urban has been at the top of the country music world since his American debut in 1999. His self-titled U.S. album has been certified platinum and contained three top-10 hits, including his first #1 single, "But For The Grace of God". In the time since his debut, he has had 8 more albums, 7 of which have been certified platinum, and the only other, his most recent album Ripcord, has been certified gold and is well on its way to platinum certification of its own. These nine albums have produced 36 singles, 35 of which hit the top-10 on the country charts, and 19 have hit #1. The only hold out from the top-10 was his debut single, "It's A Love Thing" which peaked at #18 in 1999.

But it hasn't always been an easy ride for Urban. In 1991, he released the original self-titled album in Australia. Four singles were released from the album, and not only did they not chart in the U.S., they didn't chart in Australia either. The album would not be released stateside until 2005. After singing back-ground on rockers INXS' Live Baby Live, Urban moved to Nashville in 1992 and began working as a session singer and guitarist, making an appearance in Alan Jackson's video for "Mercury Blues" in 1993. Urban would make his first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry as a backing vocalist for Slim Dusty in 1994.

In 1997, Urban would form The Ranch, a Country Rock Band that would only release one album, a self-titled effort that produced two singles that failed to crack the top-50 on the country charts. Urban would return to session work, working with Toby Keith, Tim Wilson, Charlie Daniels and the Dixie Chicks before signing with Capitol Records Nashville in 1999. His American debut met with great commercial as well as critical success. In 2001, Urban was named Best New Artist by the Academy of Country Music and the Horizon Award (best new artist) from the Country Music Association.

Urban has turned his musical success into success in other arenas, including stints as a coach on the Australian version of The Voice and as a judge for the final 4 season of American Idol, where he replaced Steven Tyler after the show's 11th season. Urban would add his name to a line of guitars sold through the Home Shopping Network. With the proceeds from the sales going to music education charity Mr Holland's Opus and the Grammy Foundation, the line has sold over 42,000 units to date.

When he is not selling guitars or judging young idols, Urban still finds the time to make good music. His most recent album, Ripcord, released in May has already reached gold certification, well on its way to being Urban's ninth platinum album. The album features three singles which have all reached #1 on the charts, and the album's fourth release is in our spotlight today. Keith Urban and "Blue Ain't Your Color" is today's Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.