Keith Urban Honored for Raising $1 Billion for St. Jude

Country star also previews new yacht rock project at Ryman Auditorium event

Mar. 20, 2026 at 10:30pm

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Keith Urban was honored with the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville on Thursday, recognizing his work that has raised over $1 billion for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital since 1989. Urban also revealed that he is working on a new yacht rock project, previewing it during MCA's annual lunch at the Ryman Auditorium.

Why it matters

Urban's longstanding support for St. Jude has had a significant impact on the hospital's ability to provide care and conduct research for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. His new yacht rock project also signals his continued creativity and relevance in the country music scene.

The details

The Angels Among Us Award is named after the Alabama song and legend Randy Owen, and honors Urban's decades-long commitment to St. Jude. Urban first visited the Memphis hospital in 1998 and has been a vocal advocate ever since, helping to raise over $1 billion for the organization. In addition to his philanthropic work, Urban also used the Country Radio Seminar event to preview material from his upcoming yacht rock-inspired album, showcasing his musical versatility.

  • Keith Urban was honored with the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award on Thursday, March 20, 2026.
  • Urban first visited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in 1998.

The players

Keith Urban

A country music singer and songwriter who has raised over $1 billion for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through his philanthropic efforts over the past two decades.

Randy Owen

The lead singer of the country music group Alabama, whose 1993 hit song "Angels Among Us" inspired the award that Urban received.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

A nonprofit pediatric treatment and research facility located in Memphis, Tennessee that is focused on children's catastrophic diseases, particularly cancer.

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What they’re saying

“Being recognized with the Angels Among Us Award is not something I take lightly. I've witnessed the courage shown by the children and families at St. Jude for more than 20 years, and it never ceases to amaze me. By standing together, we've been able to help St. Jude continue advancing research and treatment for children around the world with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is an absolute honor to stand behind a mission this meaningful.”

— Keith Urban

What’s next

Urban is expected to release more details about his upcoming yacht rock-inspired album in the coming months.

The takeaway

Keith Urban's longstanding commitment to supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, including raising over $1 billion for the organization, demonstrates the powerful impact that celebrity philanthropy can have. His new musical project also showcases his continued artistic evolution and relevance in the country music landscape.