Keith Urban
returned to the stage Friday night (Feb. 3) for his first public
appearance since undergoing vocal cord surgery in November. His appearance was during a sold-out performance of the Grand
Ole Opry at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Urban's set included a version of "Long Hot Summer" (accompanied by a small string
section), "Making Memories of Us" and his newest single, "You Gonna Fly." He then remained onstage for a fourth, unplanned
performance of "Somebody Like You" and once again returned to play guitar during Steve Wariner's performance of "Let My Guitar
Do the Talking." "What I love about the Ryman is the intimacy of this place," he told the audience. The show was a historic
moment at the venue as it served as the final performance before the 61-year-old stage floor is replaced next week. Other
performers for the evening included the Del McCoury Band, the Oak Ridge Boys and Country Music Hall of Fame member Charley
Pride.
