Keith Urban: ‘Country music rallied as a community after Vegas shooting’

Keith Urban has praised the country music world for rallying as a community following the devastating shooting in Las Vegas earlier this month (Oct17).
Hundreds were injured and 58 killed when gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire while Jason Aldean performed at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival. As the world continues to try and recover following the devastating tragedy, country stars will pay tribute to the lives lost at the CMT (Country Music Television) Artists of the Year event on Wednesday night (18Oct17).
Jason will be performing at the event, and Keith hinted that he will be joined by a host of other famous country music faces as they show their solidarity in the wake of the attack.
“I texted (Jason) the day after Vegas and that’s just an indescribable thing to go through for everybody,” Keith told Entertainment Tonight. “But to be on stage and sing now too… we’re going to all be joining him I think. So, solidarity.
“(Country music) is a community and you really feel it in times like this, whether it’s weather-related or just insanity in Vegas-related – we really rally as a community.”
The format for Wednesday’s show was changed following the mass shooting, with the focus now on hope and healing. And Keith added he thinks that was the right decision to make.
“I thought it was important, along with everybody here, to acknowledge the importance of the fans, the audience,” he explained. “What happened in Vegas was our community, our family, so I think we all agreed it was really important for us to highlight their importance in our lives.”
It will be a special night for Keith as he will be celebrated as an Artist of the Year at the event. Wife Nicole Kidman will be there to cheer him on, with the smitten singer admitting seeing his actress spouse in the audience makes “everything in life” better.