Keith Urban

     Keith Lionel Urban (born 26 October 1967, New Zealand), is a New Zealand-born Australian Grammy- and ARIA-winning country music singer. Urban began his career in Australia, having moved there at an early age; in 1991, Urban released a self-titled debut album, and charted four singles in Australia before moving to the United States in 1992. Eventually, Urban found work as a session guitarist before founding a group known as The Ranch, which recorded one studio album on Capitol Records and charted one single on the Billboard country charts.In 1996 he appeared on the tribute album to Hank Marvin and The Shadows “Twang” playing the instrumental “Dance On”.
     Urban’s sound may be rooted in the past, but his New Country is all about the present, replete with semi-programmed beats. As southern as the man’s music sounds, Keith Urban was born in New Zealand and grew up in Australia. Urban was hamming it up as a youngster performing in plays and musicals, years before finding his voice in country music. Urban credits pilfering through his father’s twangy record collection as the main influence on his heartfelt country musings. Before going solo, Urban was in a country band called the Ranch. Following his success, they re-released their album.
     Still signed to Capitol, he made his solo American debut in 1999 with the album keith urban; certified platinum in the U.S., it also produced his first American Number One in “But for the Grace of God”. His breakthrough hit was the Number One “Somebody Like You”, from his second Capitol album Golden Road (2002). This album also earned Urban his first Grammy Award win for “You’ll Think of Me”, its fourth single and the third Billboard Number One of his career. 2004’s Be Here, his third American album, produced three more Number Ones, and became his highest-selling album, earning 4× Multi-Platinum certification. Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing was released in 2006, earning Urban’s second Grammy for the song “Stupid Boy”, while a Greatest Hits package entitled Greatest Hits: 18 Kids followed in 2008.

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Kelly Clarkson

     Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) is an American pop rock singer, songwriter, and occasional actress. Clarkson made her debut under RCA Records after she won the highly publicized first season of the television series American Idol in 2002. She was originally marketed as a pop musician with her debut album Thankful (2003). With the release of her multi-platinum second album Breakaway (2004), Clarkson moved to a more pop rock-oriented style of music. Clarkson’s third album, entitled My December, was released on June 26, 2007. Her fourth album is due in fall 2008. Clarkson has sold over 19 million albums worldwide. Clarkson’s tour with Reba McEntire ranks as the 13th most successful tour in the U.S. of 2008.
     “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson won America over with her powerful voice and perky personality. Rather than fading away since her “American Idol” victory, Clarkson has established herself as a true pop force. Clarkson was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 24, 1982. Before finding fame, Kelly worked as a cocktail waitress, a telemarketer and as a promo girl for Red Bull. Clarkson won her first Grammy Award for “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” for the hit single “Since U Been Gone.”

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