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

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

Mar. 20, 2026 at 11:30pm

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Keith Urban was presented with the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville on Thursday, recognizing his over 20 years of work raising more than $1 billion for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Urban also revealed 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 helped the nonprofit hospital continue advancing research and treatment for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. His new yacht rock project also signals a creative shift for the country superstar, potentially appealing to a wider audience.

The details

The Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award is named after the Alabama legend and the band's 1993 hit, recognizing Urban's work that has raised over $1 billion for St. Jude since 1998. Urban revealed he is working on a new yacht rock project, which he previewed during MCA's annual lunch at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

  • 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 superstar who has raised over $1 billion for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital over the past 20 years.

Randy Owen

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

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

A nonprofit hospital located in Memphis, Tennessee that is dedicated to advancing research and treatment for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

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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

The takeaway

Keith Urban's longstanding commitment to supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through his fundraising efforts over the past two decades has had a profound impact, helping the nonprofit continue its vital work. Additionally, Urban's new creative venture into yacht rock signals an artistic evolution for the country star, potentially broadening his appeal to new audiences.