Keith’s post-rehab message to fans

Keith Urban released a video message to fans this morning on his Web site, and he talks about rehab and his wife, Nicole Kidman staying strong throughout. You can go below to find a link.

But here’s the text of the message:

“Hi Everyone. Today is January the 18th, 2007. I just wanted to take a moment today to talk a bit about the last three months.

“On October 19, I checked into the Betty Ford Center in Palm Springs, California. With the support of my wife and family and friends, for what I thought was going to be a thirty-day stay at Betty Ford.

“Now, there was no big, cataclysmic event that happened right before I went in. But, what it was, was a lot of small things that were happening in my life, and a lot of small moments that were starting to accumulate that were telling me very loud and clear that I was a long way from my program of recovery, and they were making my life unmanageable.

“I got to a point where I wanted to go in to treatment, so I went in on that date. It was far from an ideal time to go into treatment. I want to say that much too.

“While I was in there, of course, I had my birthday on October 26th, my record was released, I missed Thanksgiving, and all the holidays. So, it was a time that had a lot of consequences, that particular three months.

“The reason why it was so long, too, was just what I was learning as I stayed in there. That first thirty days I learned what they say in NARE, abstinence is the ticket into the movie; it’s not the movie. So, learning about abstinence was one thing, but then there was all this other area of my life to start learning about.

“So, thirty days became sixty, sixty days became ninety, and with each week that passed, I found myself really learning to surrender especially with my career, with playing music, because it’s what I’ve always done.

“I love playing guitar, I love touring, and I was going to be doing a lot of that right when I went in.
But, I had amazing support from everybody while I was in there that helped. I can’t even tell you guys how much that helped me. I felt very, very, loved, and I felt very supported, and made the time go by. I never felt alone.

“And, as I say, during that time, I started to learn a lot about myself, and how I got to be in this position that I’m in right now. And, it’s hard to quantify what I learned in ninety days, but suffice to say, it’s been one of the most impactful times of my whole life.

“And, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everybody out there that’s watching this right now for your support. I got cards, I got letters, I got emails, when I finally got to my laptop, and I could retrieve them all.

“There was hundreds of emails, and I just didn’t expect that kind of support, I truly didn’t, and it helped so much. Especially through a lot of the lonely days which there was plenty of those in there.

“But, my wife stayed extraordinarily strong, and loving, and my friends and family were there, and man, it’s just been really overwhelming.

“I feel so much gratitude, and it feels really good to have gone through it and be where I am right now. Because where I am right now is starting on that road to getting back to doing what I love which is playing music.

“And, I’m looking forward to coming to your town to see all you guys, and thank you personally for the support I’ve gotten, and I know I keep harping on that, but it’s meant so much to me, and I wanted you guys to hear that from me personally.

“I look forward to seeing you guys very soon, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you, and God bless every one of you.”

Keith Sends Message To Fans

Keith Urban has posted an exclusive video message to his fans…

What Will Keith Say?

Keith Urban will post an exclusive video message to his fans today at 10:00am CST. What will he say? You can check it out at www.keithurban.net.

Pioneer Ball

Young country bluegrass band Jypsi kicked the festivities off for the governor’s Pioneer Ball at the Wildhorse Saloon. Can you believe the lead singer (3rd from left) is only 15 years old?

American Idol 2 finalist Josh Gracin took the stage just before Governor Bredesen’s entrance.

Governor Bredesen shook hands with several fans, including country singer Lee Greenwood.

Gary Chapman introduced the governor and First Lady Andrea Conte just before they danced to Tennessee Waltz. Governor Bredesen then headed down the street for the Trailblazer Ball at B.B. King’s Blues Club, while Jo Dee Messina kept the Wildhorse crowd entertained.

Joey a little sore about ‘Dancing’

Joey McIntyre, the former New Kid on the Block who was on season one of Dancing with the Stars, appears to still be a bit chafed about his experience.

“The judges were going after me from the get-go, unfortunately,” Joey told me from his Nashville hotel room today, just a few hours before tonight’s live Dancing with the Stars show at the GEC.

In fact, his reaction when he was first invited to join the Dancing with the Stars tour was, “I really don’t wanna do this.”

But a couple of things changed his mind.

One, time does heal most wounds.

Joey said he couldn’t watch season two of Dancing because he was still stressed out from his experience. But he got sucked back into the drama and excitement after watching last season, the one with the other Joey, Lawrence.

Two, tour producers are having Joey McIntyre sing two songs from his new album of pop standards, Talk to Me, during each show.

And now he’s having a blast, dancing and singing.

Joey also has had fun in Nashville. He and season two Dancing winner Drew Lachey and their wives went to Station Inn last night to take in some bluegrass music.

Tonight, anything could happen….

Click HERE for my complete interview with Joey.

Not One, but Two Balls!

Country singer Jo Dee Messina and American Idol’s Josh Gracin are slated to perform at the governor’s Pioneer Ball Saturday night. The festivities follow Governor Bredesen’s second inauguration January 20th. Governor Bredesen and first lady Andrea Conte will kick off the event with the traditional first dance to “Tennessee Waltz.” The Trailblazer Ball gets underway an hour later at B.B. King’s Blues Club.

Both balls are free and open to the public, but are sold out. Nearly 5-thousand people are expected to attend. I hope to see you there!

McCready’s Former Boyfriend Back Behind Bars…

Country music singer Mindy McCready is speaking out about William “Billy” McKnight’s latest run-in with the law. Police say McKnight violated his probation by coming to tennessee from florida, without notifying authorities. William McKnight pleaded guilty last year to beating McCready at her home.

McCready and McKnight have been estranged since may of 2005. McCready released a statement to me saying, “I am hopeful that this is the rehabilitation Billy needs to get his life back on track.”

McCready has since been busy putting her life as a single mother and her career back on track. She is in the final stages of recording a new album, which is set to debut soon.

“CATS” T.P.A.C. run sells out

The musical CATS opened tonight, and they play four more times at TPAC, twice Saturday and twice Sunday.

But all the shows sold out yesterday, as the run of CATS does every time it comes to Nashville, TPAC officials say.

Bummer!

Since you might not be one of the folks going, we thought we’d give you a little behind the scenes look at the show.

We hooked up with actor Christopher Sidoli of New York, who plays three different roles in the show, including Gus and Growltiger.

Christopher says he has to get to the theater two hours before show time.

There’s an hour for make-up and wardrobe, and then there’s physical and vocal warm-ups.

Just the makeup part takes 45 minutes, and that’s just for the first character. Christopher says when he’s not on stage, he’s in makeup getting ready for his next character.

The first stage is four layers of makeup, each separated by some serious powder.

Then there’s the costume.

Then there’s the wig and that has to be glued on to his skin. Gross!

Christopher says all the makeup isn’t bad for his skin.

In fact, he says, he usually only gets zits when he’s not doing a show.

“Go figure,” he shrugs.

Ya know, I really like to get into my job.

With the help of weekend anchor/makeup artist Christine Maddela, I did a little transformation for the end of my story tonight on News 2 at 10.

Yes, here is the first bald cat in history.

By the way, this look launched a few not-so-nice jokes from the control room here.

Those fellers really are getting catty!

Oh well. I’m off to find a big sand box.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star apologizes

You’ve heard that, on Golden Globes night, Isaiah Washington (Dr. Burke) repeated a gay slur when insisted he didn’t call fellow Grey’s Anatomy cast member T.R. Knight (George) earlier.

Now, Isaiah issued a statement apologizing for saying the gay slur. And it’s a long one.

“I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance,” he said.

“By repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on Grey’s Anatomy. I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I’ve asked for help.

“I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I’ve hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted.

“I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I’ve opened.

“T.R.’s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity.”

Web exclusive: Red hot dish

Chad Smith, drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, has lots to say, so we’re gonna give you the five-minute interview in its entirety.

Chad talks about playing drums on the Dixie Chicks‘ last album, being in the Musicians’ Hall of Fame here, crushing on Carrie Underwood and his accident with a parking meter in town.

Click HERE to hear — and see.

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