Keith Ready for Show In His Own Backyard

11/30/2007 Stephen L. Betts   Keith Urban’s touring schedule has taken him all over the world this year, so naturally he’s excited to be playing close to home. Keith, who performs at Nashville’s Sommet Center on Friday night (11/30) says, “This is the longest that I've ever been away from Nashville, so it feels good to be able to come home and play as well." With a 2007 tour that began in Europe in March and hasn't stopped since, Keith says, “I've been in and out most of the year, whereas normally I've spent a lot more time [in Nashville].” In the spring, Keith’s wife, Nicole Kidman, began filming the movie Australia in Australia. The six-month shoot stretched to nine months, meaning Keith traveled extensively for much of the year to be with her when he wasn't working. The couple purchased a Tennessee farm this year and are currently renovating. Of his farm, he says, “It's something that has quite a bit of room to walk around and grow some grass under our feet and have some privacy, but not feel like we're isolated. We don't want to live in a compound. It's the great thing about Tennessee and especially Nashville. The people are just real people, so they just accept you being neighbors.” Keith isn’t likely to be lounging in the grass with Nicole anytime soon — not for long anyway. His tour ends in mid-December, and he’ll spend January editing a DVD before hitting the road again in February and starting work on a new album. “I love touring,” says Keith. “It's just something I love to do. I've done it since I was young. With where my life is now, it's taken on an even deeper joy and a different meaning. I have a real want to tour, more than ever before, to have that connection with the people who come to hear the music and try to make a difference when we play a place.”