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'CMT Insider' Interview: Keith Urban (Part 2 of 2)

He Shares Thoughts About Upcoming Concerts With Eagles and Dixie Chicks

In the second segment of CMT Insider host Katie Cook's interview, Keith Urban talks about joining the Eagles and the Dixie Chicks for a series of stadium shows in June and the importance of his Web site in keeping in close contact with his fans.

CMT Insider: You're doing five stadium dates with the Eagles. How did that come about?

Urban: We just happened to be available at the right time. It was just one of those great calls. What country artist hasn't been influenced by the Eagles? So it's huge honor to get out and do that. I'm really looking forward to it.

I would assume you and the Eagles share a lot of the same fans. Then again, maybe this is a chance for you to play for some people who haven't been to one of your concerts.

Yeah, exactly -- and to play those size venues, too. We haven't done that since being out with Kenny [Chesney].

The Dixie Chicks are on the Eagles' stadium tour, too. They're no strangers to controversy. As an artist, are you ever worried that if something crazy goes on, you might get caught up in it?

Less than I used to be worried about it.

You're an artist who truly uses your Web site as the best possible way to interact with fans. You post exclusive videos. I know your fans just absolutely love that. Why is that so important to you?

It's an extension on what we do -- or what I think what we do -- in connecting with fans. Everybody starts with writing songs that, hopefully, connect with people. Records can connect with them, and if they come out to see us play live, hopefully, we get in there and we connect. And everybody is in that moment -- not just us with them but them with each other. That's the magic. So, for me, the Internet is just an extension of that -- being able to reach out to them and letting them know what we're up to.

Do you spend a lot of time on the computer?

Not a lot. I sort of balance it out. I try and keep an organic side of my life, too, that ... stays in that sort of dreamlike place where I can keep my imagination.

So you're not Facebooking every night?

Definitely not Facebooking every night.

You don't Twitter every five minutes?

No, definitely not. (laughs)

I wanted to ask you about the American Idol finale when you played "Kiss a Girl" with Kris Allen.

Yeah, we're actually doing a show in Vegas where Kris is going to come out and play with us, as well. I've been really happy for him, and he's got a good song ["Live Like We're Dying"] on the radio.

I thought he did a good job of singing your song.

He did a great job of it. Yeah, it was perfect for him. I wished he would have recorded it, as well.

You finished your concert in New York City in October by running out of the arena and grabbing a taxi.

I don't know why that seemed like a good idea, but it was so much fun to do. I thought if we're gonna leave, let's leave by yellow taxi -- a New York taxi. So we figured out a way for the cameras to be able to follow me down the ramp out of Madison Square Garden, and I just hailed a cab and got in it -- and off I went. I just had to remember to keep money in my stage pants.

Last fall, you raised a lot of money for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum by hosting the All for the Hall concert in Nashville.

We've got another one coming up this year, too. I've got some ideas about how to keep that opening up with new musical thoughts. Not just the people we're gonna have there, but I've got some ideas, as well, of the show -- each one a unique thing. So I look forward to announcing that.

Read the first part of CMT Insider's interview with Keith Urban.

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