Country star Keith Urban sent out a very special message during his CMA Fest 2023 performance. He kicked off his high-energy set at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium by encouraging creative hopefuls to achieve their dreams, just like he did.
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“I want to dedicate this song tonight to all you singers and songwriters and artists out there, literally right now, imagining being up on this stage,” he told the crowd. “This song is for every one of you.”
His inspirational wish was relayed to millions more on Wednesday night (July 19) during ABC’s CMA Fest television special. The broadcast included a selection of top performances from this year’s festival, held in June, which marked the event’s 50th anniversary.
Other notable performances spotlighted from this year’s event included surprise collaborations from Tanya Tucker, Lainey Wilson and Elle King, Miranda Lambert and Avril Lavigne, Reba McEntire and Cody Johnson’s rendition of “Whoever’s in New England,” along with Vince Gill joining Luke Combs for a version of his ’90s country hit, “One More Last Chance.”
Released in 2021, “Wild Hearts” was co-written by Urban alongside Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi, Eric Paslay, and Runaway June’s Jennifer Wayne. The track climbed to No. 4 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and served as the first taste of a still-to-be-announced 12th studio album.
Although fans are still awaiting details of when Keith Urban plans to drop a follow-up to his 2020 record, The Speed of Now Part 1, he’s spending the remainder of 2023 out on the road. Along with a stretch of festival appearances, he’ll take the stage at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood for a limited residency that includes eight intimate performances.
If you’re still waiting for your next chance to catch him on the live stage, this energetic CMA Fest performance of “Wild Hearts” will help tide you over.
(Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)
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