Keith Urban: Sex Symbol of Nashville

Keith Urban seemed to be everywhere for Nashville's Fan Fair 2003. I first caught up with Keith performing for The 36th Annual International Fan Club Organization (IFCO) Fun Fest held at The Rhyman Auditorium on June 3rd. He was the last to take the stage on this star studded evening, taking a seat and performing a unplugged version of several of his hits. Opening with "Raining On Sunday," his female fans appeared to go blurry eyed and into a trance. To say that they only had eyes for Keith would be the understatement of Fan Fair. He followed with "Your Everything," and closed with a rousing performance of "Where The Blacktop Ends." With every sway of his blonde hair and his leg keeping time to the beat of the music, the women would squeal with sheer delight.

The Funfest, a yearly IFCO Fan Fair kick-off tradition, also featured performances by Nashville Star winner Buddy Jewell, along with runners-up John Arther Martinez and Miranda Lambert. Also appearing, Fan favorites The Wilkinsons and John Berry; Andy Griggs, Steve Azar, Jennifer Hanson, Dean Miller, Eric Heatherly, Lila McCann and Jim Patton-Johnston. The show served as a benefit for St. Jude Kids, and Keith Urban's Fan Club was presented with an award for raising the most money for the charity.

I next saw Keith the following evening where he was performing on stage for Marty Stuart's 2nd Annual Late Night Jam (which has become Marty Stuart's gift to fans during Fan Fair.) On this evening, despite the late hour, he would again bring the ladies into a frenzy just by stepping onto the stage. From my first row seat in the balcony, I felt a hard blow to my side. Turning in the direction of the blow, what did I find? A little old lady, who had to be all of 80 something years old, going completely bonkers at the mere sight of (quote) "He's got the best butt in Nashville." Marty off-handily remarking "Boy, that Keith sure is the sex symbol of Nashville", as he departed and turned the stage over to him. In typical Keith humor, he quickly replied "Well Marty if I drop my pick, I guess that I better just kick it out of the way." With that said, the fans erupted into laughter.

As with the previous evening, Keith would wow his fans (especially the ladies) on this night. He would do "Raining On Sunday," to which earlier Marty Stuart would remark how he saw Keith all hot and sexy in that video. And once again, the ladies would squeal with approval letting him know that they did indeed enjoy that video. Is Keith Urban the sex symbol of Nashville? I would say just ask any one of his female fans, no matter what their age, and you will get a resounding "Yes!"