Photo credit: Michael Caulfield/Getty Images
Keith Urban won Best Male Artist at the People’s Choice Awards. An extremely gracious Keith, took to the mic to thank his fans, his family, and the fans. After all, The People’s Choice Awards are fan voted. However, he also gave the a.o.k. to illegally obtain the music, as long as you enjoy it and listen to it. For Keith, it’s all about the music…Getting people to like what they hear enough to come out and see him perform. Cuz without the audience, ‘it’s just a 2 hour soundcheck.’
However, even if his passe attitude about the financial aspect of the music made fans cheer; many on Music Row are jeering. GASP! Um…it appears that even if Keith and Nicole aren’t hurting for moola, what about the team of other folks who work hard for their money putting pen to paper or mixing the tunes…
MusicRow.com has a very interesting letter and commentary up that shows just how upset some are over the flip statement. Cliff Doyle writes,
However, I wonder what his label, Capitol Records Nashville, has to say about his statement? And what about his co-writers and other songwriters on Music Row whose talents he depends on to continue with his hugely successful career? Can they afford to work for free?
I think Keith Urban should rethink his position and apologize for his statements – or start giving away tickets to his shows.
Hmmm…it’s true. It’s refreshing for someone to acknowledge the love of the music…to get away from the money making aspect and go back to making music for the joy of it. But joy very rarely puts food on the table and sends our kids to college.
One of my favorite comments on the entire situation came from Kristy Jackson.
I’m sure Keith was just caught up in the moment however as a songwriter whose income comes from royalties, I don’t appreciate his comment. He might as well have given the audience my address so they could come steal one of my chairs. Dang, there goes my Keith Urban cut. In the meantime, I’m going to go download a turkey from Harris Teeter.
I do think Keith meant…if you buy a cd and wanna burn your friend a copy to turn ‘em on to the music…Do it! Share the love! Convert a buddy and help em become a Keith Urban fan. However, many aren’t taking it so lightly. What do you think??? Do you think Keith meant to tell everyone to start downloading music for free and not spend another dime? Or do you think he simply said a flip comment in a moment of joy??? We wanna know.
You can read all of the comments and the entire letter on MusicRow.com
[source]
Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com
Posted in 
Tags: 
First off i am a fan of Keith’s. in my opinion i think he meant well & was just caught up in all the excitement of winning. That’s just how passionate he is about sharing the love –of music. he’d put music before his own personal wealth. the money anit important 2 him. the thing that is important is getting the music to us fans. i think thats what he was trying 2 say. thats just the kind of guy Keith is. he is an amazing human being. a true artist. thats what us his fans (including me) Love about him!
I also agree. He was just caught up in the moment of excitement. He loves his fans. We are all so happy that we got him the award. I don’t think that just because Keith said that it is okay to share the music with your friends. Doesn’t mean that everyone is going to stop buying music a such things. I think these music executives are just taking it to far. Keith is such an amazing artists who puts others first. That is why his fans (including me) love him so much!
Perhaps he needs to explain what he meant. Clearly he sent the wrong message.
Give Keith a break! I’ve purchased enough of his music to pay his label, writers etc.
The Music Row site is no longer accepting comments. This is what I wanted to post in response to comments there:
Why should Keith Urban be given a break just because his music is popular, and he has a likeable personna? His comments weren’t misconstrued, and I don’t see how anyone can know what he “meant to say.” What he said was: “I don’t even care if you download it illegally, give it to your friends, I really don’t care.”
Being excited about the win or caught up in the moment or whatever other excuses are being made doesn’t change the fact that that is what he said on national TV. It sent the wrong message to millions of people that illegal music downloading is okay. This is a hot button topic for the music industry. At the very least, his flippant attitude showed a disregard for a very serious issue that threatens the entire music community.
My gosh, … CLEARLY he was caught up IN THE MOMENT and what he was trying to express got lost in the “Political Correctness” ( irrational thinking ) that exists in our country’s current sick way of thinking right now!
After all, he had just beat out the TOPS in the Pop/Rock, Blues/Soul, Hip Hop, & Country Music genres. I am a HUGE FAN of John Mayer, Jason Mraz, & Keith Urban! I have PURCHASED the majority of the music published by all three of these artists. I watched the awards last night & had a gut feeling that someone would just HAVE to DISTORT this beautiful moment in this well intentioned gentleman’s life. PLEASE replay this video & tell me WHERE you see ANY NEGATIVE MOTIVE in this heart felt acceptance speech. I could not pass up the opportunity to comment here.
IF you have read much about, followed the career of, or been privy to a KU live performance … there are several things that you’ll observe. I am certainly no KU historian or expert, but I would like to share what I’ve concluded about this gentleman:
1.) He would not INTENTIONALLY ever harm anyone OR anything.
2.) He is a kind, caring, loving gentleman with utmost respect for all of mankind.
3. ) He, of all people, would NOT be “flippant” about ANYONE’S ability to put food on their table or earn a living in the Music Industry. He has been there! It would seem the people on Music Row would know this more than most … How many of them have been an “Aussie Country Musician” trying to make it in another country/culture with different customs, etc. He is constantly RESPECTING & giving credit to ALL the artists involved in anything his name is connected to, collaborates on projects with, & loses deserved awards to; not to mention, always HELPING up & coming artists in the industry ( Ist song on Jimmy Waynes latest CD given to him by KU ). He not only participates in but also organizes fund raisers for the less fortunate as well as “the industry”.
4.) He lives an honest, GENUINE, “open book” life @ the deepest level… One that can only be obtained from guided self examination, hard work & healthy recovery from past difficulties.
5.) When he speaks, writes, sings, etc. these actions are done “straight from the heart” … this means his FEELINGS are not FILTERED for political correctness, etc. … Thank God! THIS IS the honesty that our country is literally craving. Not only that … he is sharing his FEELINGS not his THOUGHTS. That is EVERYTHING any human can give to another … PERIOD!
6. ) Even if he tried to hide his PASSION & love for music, it would NOT be possible. It exudes from every pore in his body. Although I’m only a closet musician, in my humble opinion, there is an “Appreciation” for music & then there is an “ACTIVE Experiencing Appreciation of music”, something of a more participative moving mystical experience! It seems that not all successful musicians possess the later, or maybe it just gets lost as they start losing themselves along the way, I don’t know. Surely, a Musicians life is complex & it can be a complicated & most difficult journey. However, I DO KNOW KU still HAS IT!
7.) I’ve seen only one live performance of his, HOWEVER, it was clear to me that this young mans PURPOSE on this earth is SHARING the undeniable gifts that he has been given! I have been attending Performing Arts Events since I was 4 yrs old & I can assure you that KU could NOT DONATE A PINT OF BLOOD @ the end of one of his shows … A pint is all he has not already given to you & he needs that much to get off the stage ( which he obviously has to MAKE himself do ) & get back on his bus! I’ll bet I can name every single artist that ever shed tears of GRATITUDE during a performance that I’ve attended in my 53 years of patronizing the Arts !!!
In closing, I would like to comment on his being “caught up in the moment”. This is TOTAL SPECULATION on my part & could be absolutely OFF the mark! However, it seems to me that KU is developing the practice of LIVING & LOVING LIFE ” IN the MOMENT “; something achieved by few, Thich Nhat Hanh for example. This “mindfulness” can only be obtained by INTENTIONALLY seeking it out & practicing it in one’s life.
I too put food on my table by using one of the gifts I was given & indulging one of my many passions, which is helping others find happiness in their lives. No doubt, my ability to do this has become increasingly difficult with the recent changes in our economy. My grocery list, among all others, has been forced to shrink. After 23 years of successful self-employment, I’m faced with the very REAL probability of losing my business & home. I am becoming increasingly weary like so MANY OTHERS in our country @ this time. My being negative toward any colleagues that appear not to be having the same struggles as I, will only bring more negativity & unhappiness into my life. I chose if I want to view my situation through a positive/negative pair of glasses. I’ve been incredibly blessed to have loved going to work for 23 yrs! Likewise, I can NOT recall ever having anything taken away from me that was not replaced by something better! Is that how others see my life … NO! However, what matters is how I see my life.
Putting a negative spin on an honest, heart felt comment from one who is a Musician, not an Orator or Public Speaker, certainly seems HARSH to this ” Lover of the Arts”. Also, for those who may be interested, ” living in the moment” is the KEY to living a loving,happy, & free life on earth!
Thank You for the opportunity to respond.
Peace, Love, Light & MUSIC,
Dee
BTW, this ability to “live in the moment” happens to hold the key to living a peaceful, joyous, & free life!
Oh my goodness…smells like an orgy in here with all the “I’m part of the Keith Urban Lovefest” comments. What he said can be interpreted however you like but, the root of the problem lies in the evil which is plaguing all of the United States of America…the intrusion and ignorance of those that ‘work’ in the CORPORATE WORLD. Please, if anyone knows somebody identified as a ‘corporate weenie’ who actually cares more about getting good music out into the public than they do about their hair, clothes, or what kind of car they get to drive, BRING THEM TO ME! I’d like to thank them, shake their hand, and buy them a sandwich. There are way too many great singer/songwriters out there that get overlooked by the “corporate weenies” because they don’t fit the current stereotype of ‘looking good in Wranglers’ or ‘they are supermodel beautiful’. The heart and soul of the music industry IS the singer/songwriters and they should be well paid for the music they provide. Unfortunately, if you don’t look like George Strait or Tim McGraw or have the ability to suck the entire allowance out of a 14 year old’s piggy bank because they spend every penny ‘stalking’ the current hotshot star, you are out of luck. Corporations are only interested in making money, not delivering what a true music listener deserves. “the Weenies” should be forced to listen to all of the music, Clockwork Orange” style until they get the point that there is more to good music than what will stuff their wallets. As far as paying for the music you like, do what you have to do but, remember somebody is always getting screwed somewhere. Personally I buy or, if I am lucky, get my music directly from the singer/songwriters whom I then support vigorously when they play at local bars. I won’t EVER buy a corporately released album or pay to go sit in a nosebleed seat at $100 a pop, when I know that money is going to pay for some weenies brand new BMW or vacation home on some island. Singer/songwriters work too hard to be disrespected like that. SUPPORT THE SINGER?SONGWRITER, NOT THE LABEL…
I think he knew very well what he was saying. I think he just stole a page from his wife’s book. Get the most you can out of every pulbic event or photo op. Say outrageous things so your mug will be all over without paying for it!! What does he care he has all Tom Cruise’s money to rest his laurels on!!! Way to go KU show everyone what your really made of !
SICK PEOPLE THIS LAST COMMENT SHOWS WHY THIS SHOULDNT EVEN BE COMMENTED ON BECAUSE THERE ARE CLEARLY PEOPLE THAT ARE SO FULL LF HATE AND JEALOUSLY THAT THEY DONT HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS EVEN BEING TALKED ABOUT . DEE YOUR WORDS MAKE MORE SENSE THAN ANY THAT HAVE BEEN STATED HERE AND OTHER PLACES. ALL THESE PEOPLE NEED TO GET A LIFE ITS DONE .I SEE NO REASON FOR KU TO SAY ANYTHING ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.WHY IS NASHVILLE UPSET THEY DONT PAY ANY ATTENTION TO KU ANYWAY.
He was excited. He wants people to listen to his music and he knows that some can’t always afford to. He meant well but it came out wrong. He will make this right , I’m sure.
In my opinion, what does it matter? He was excited! geez. It’s Keith Ubran!! He deserved the award, won it, and was EXTREMELY happy. So just get over it. I think his thank you speech was GREAT. so yea
It’s too bad that such an innocent comment is overshadowing such a geniune moment. I think it’s fairly obvious that he was just caught up in the excitment of being recognized for his music, coupled with the amazement that he was able to win over such established pop artists. I think it’s obvious to even casual Keith fans that he loves what he does almost as much as life itself. He pours his heart and soul into every lyric and live performance. I think Keith meant for his comment to come off as “I care more about the music than the money,” but instead it was misconstrued as “I don’t enough about the money” (songwriters & everyone who works for him.) Although it didn’t seem as if the comment came off that way. I can see how others might be upset. Keith has millions to throw around, and he could probably comfortably live his life without making another dollar. But for thousands of struggling songwriters, publicists, etc, that’s not the case at all.Although Keith himself may not need the money, thousands of people who help run his career do.
My goodness – what a brilliant man! One comment was all it took to get so many people talking about him! Isn’t there a saying “there’s no such thing as bad pubilcity”?? I am a HUGE KU fan and have been a monkey for years. I admit, I was surprised when it came out of his mouth, but anyone who knows anything about Keith knows he wouldn’t say anything malicious or harmful. The only crime committed in country music lately is that Taylor Swift was named female vocalist of the year….