Aussie Keith Urban Up For 'Tennessean of the Year'

Australia-native Keith Urban is in the race for the Tennessean of the Year award by Nashville's Tennessean newspaper, according to Digital Rodeo. Other competitors in the race include Governor Phil Bredesen, highly praised chef Randy Rayburn, the research team from Meharry Medical College and ACLU Tennessee director Hedy Weinberg. 

While Urban has had another remarkable year in country music, with another three Grammy nominations for early next year, his music career is not the reason he is in the race. This year Urban raised more than $500,000 for the Country Music Hall of Fame during his "All For The Hall" benefit concert. Special guests who participated in this year's benefit included Taylor Swift, Vince Gill, Jason Aldean and Faith Hill, among others. Another "All For The Hall" concert is scheduled for October 2010.

The winner of the Tennessean of the Year will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 27.