October 15, 2025 – In the glittering world of country music, where chart-topping hits are forged in neon-lit studios and critiqued by industry heavyweights, Keith Urban has a secret weapon that’s far from the honky-tonks of Music Row. “My best critics aren’t in Nashville — they’re in my living room,” the four-time Grammy winner shared in a candid interview last week, his signature Australian accent laced with warmth and a touch of mischief. “They hear the truth before the world does,” he laughed, affectionately dubbing his daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, his “secret producers.” But it’s not just playful feedback sessions that define this family dynamic; one particularly sweet bedtime ritual with the girls even inspired Urban’s most intimate new song – a tender ballad that’s already stirring hearts amid the singer’s recent personal upheavals. For Urban, 57, whose career has spanned over three decades and sold more than 15 million albums, the real hits undeniably start at home, where vulnerability meets melody in the quiet moments that matter most.

The revelation came during an exclusive sit-down with Rolling Stone Country at Urban’s Nashville estate, just days after news broke of his separation from wife Nicole Kidman after nearly 19 years of marriage. The couple, who tied the knot in a fairy-tale ceremony in Sydney in 2006, announced their divorce on September 30, 2025, citing irreconcilable differences but emphasizing their commitment to co-parenting their two daughters. Sunday, now 17, and Faith, 14, have been the anchors in this storm, and Urban’s words paint a picture of a father whose artistic soul is deeply intertwined with his role as dad. “These girls, they’re my everything,” he said, eyes softening as he recalled late-night guitar strums in their shared family home. “They don’t sugarcoat it. If a song doesn’t hit them right, they’ll tell me straight up. ‘Dad, that’s boring,’ or ‘That makes me feel happy – keep that one.’ It’s brutal, but it’s honest. And honestly? That’s gold in this business.”

Urban’s journey to fatherhood wasn’t straightforward. Born Keith Lionel Urban on October 26, 1967, in Whangārei, New Zealand, and raised in Caboolture, Queensland, Australia, he grew up in a music-loving household where his parents – Bob, a convenience store owner, and Marienne, a homemaker – encouraged his early talents. By age six, he was strumming a ukulele; by eight, a guitar. His influences were eclectic: Glen Campbell’s smooth country croons, Dire Straits’ rock edge, and the raw storytelling of Johnny Cash. Moving to Nashville in 1992, Urban hustled through bar gigs and session work before breaking through with his self-titled debut album in 1999, featuring the hit “But for the Grace of God.” Success snowballed – platinum albums like Golden Road (2002) with “Somebody Like You,” and Be Here (2004) with “Days Go By” – establishing him as a genre-bending force with his blistering guitar solos and heartfelt lyrics.

Yet, it was meeting Kidman in 2005 at a G’Day USA gala in Los Angeles that truly transformed his life. “She was this ethereal presence,” Urban has often recounted. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage, and in July 2008, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban arrived, named after artist Cy Twombly’s “Sunday” series and Kidman’s grandmother Rose. Faith Margaret followed in December 2010 via gestational surrogate, her name a nod to Kidman’s desire for a “Faith” in their lives and Urban’s aunt Margaret. The family split time between Nashville, Sydney, and Los Angeles, shielding the girls from the spotlight while nurturing their creativity. Sunday, a budding model and actress, made her runway debut at Paris Fashion Week in September 2025 for Miu Miu, while Faith has shown interest in music and equestrian pursuits, often joining her dad for horseback rides on their Tennessee farm.

In the wake of the divorce, which sources attribute to grueling work schedules – Kidman’s filming commitments for projects like Babygirl and Urban’s relentless touring – the singer has leaned into music as therapy. His latest album, High (released September 2024), was already a vulnerable exploration of love, loss, and resilience, with tracks like “Messed Up as Me” hinting at personal strains. But it’s the new single, “Lullaby Promises,” dropped unexpectedly on October 10, 2025, that’s capturing the zeitgeist. Written in a mere 30 minutes during a sleepless night post-separation announcement, the song is a poignant letter to Sunday and Faith, promising unwavering love amid change. “It came from our bedtime ritual,” Urban explained. “Every night, when they’re home, we’d gather in the living room or their rooms. I’d pull out the guitar, and we’d sing silly songs or old favorites – everything from ‘Waltzing Matilda’ to Taylor Swift hits. But one night, as they were drifting off, Sunday asked, ‘Dad, will everything always be okay?’ That hit me hard. Faith chimed in with her little voice, ‘Promise?’ So, I started humming this melody, words pouring out: ‘In the quiet of the night, when the stars are shining bright / I’ll be here, holding tight, through the wrong and through the right.’”

The track, a stripped-down acoustic ballad produced by longtime collaborator Dann Huff, features Urban’s signature twangy guitar layered with subtle piano and strings that evoke a sense of tender intimacy. Lyrics delve deeper: “You’re my Sunday morning light, my Faith in darkest night / No matter where the roads may lead, you’ll always have this from me.” Fans have dubbed it Urban’s “most heartbreaking yet hopeful” release, with streams surpassing 5 million in its first week. “It’s not about the split,” Urban clarified. “It’s about the constants – those girls are my north star. They produced this one without even knowing it. Their questions, their laughs, their honest eyes… that’s the muse.”

This family-centric creativity isn’t new for Urban. Throughout his discography, personal life bleeds into art. Defying Gravity (2009) included “Thank You,” a direct ode to Kidman for supporting him through addiction recovery in 2006, shortly after their wedding. “She saved me,” he’s said. Ripcord (2016) featured “The Fighter,” a duet with Carrie Underwood but lyrically inspired by Kidman: “When they’re tryna get to you, baby, I’ll be the fighter.” Recently, amid split rumors, a resurfaced concert clip showed Urban tweaking those lyrics to reference his guitarist Maggie Baugh – “When they’re tryna get to you, Maggie, I’ll be the fighter” – sparking speculation, though both deny any romance. Baugh, 25, released her own breakup anthem “The Devil Win” on October 11, 2025, adding fuel to tabloid fires.

But Urban insists his focus remains on fatherhood. “Post-divorce, it’s about creating stability,” he shared. Co-parenting with Kidman, 58, involves shared custody and joint family events. Just last week, at his first post-split concert in Las Vegas on October 2, Urban included a slideshow tribute featuring Kidman and the girls, set to “Once in a Lifetime” from Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing (2006) – another Kidman-inspired track. “Nicole’s an incredible mom,” he said onstage, voice cracking. “And these two? They’re the bosses.” The audience, a mix of longtime fans and curious newcomers, erupted in applause, many wiping tears. Social media lit up: #KeithUrbanFamily trended with over 300,000 mentions, fans sharing stories of how his music helped them through their own trials.

Experts in the industry see this as Urban’s evolution. “He’s always been authentic, but this level of vulnerability? It’s next-level,” says music critic Jenna Walters of Billboard. “In a genre dominated by party anthems, Keith’s willingness to bare his soul – especially about family – resonates deeply. Think Johnny Cash’s later works; it’s that raw.” Urban’s philanthropy echoes this: Through the All for the Hall benefit concerts, he’s raised millions for the Country Music Hall of Fame, often involving his daughters in music education initiatives. Sunday has volunteered at Nashville’s Musicians On Call, delivering bedside performances to hospital patients, while Faith participates in animal rescue efforts, inspired by the family’s farm life.

Diving deeper into the bedtime ritual that birthed “Lullaby Promises,” Urban painted a vivid picture. “It started when Sunday was a toddler,” he recalled. “Nicole and I would alternate stories, but I’d always end with a song. As they grew, it became interactive – they’d request covers or challenge me to improvise. Faith loves Disney tunes; Sunday’s into indie folk like Phoebe Bridgers. One night last month, amid the tension, I sang an old Australian lullaby my mum taught me. They asked for something new, something just for us. Thirty minutes later, the bones of the song were there. I recorded a demo on my phone, played it for them the next morning. Sunday said, ‘Dad, that’s us.’ Faith added, ‘It feels safe.’ Boom – secret producers strike again.”

The song’s release coincides with Urban’s ongoing High and Tight Tour, extended into 2026 with added dates in Europe and Australia. Fans can expect “Lullaby Promises” in setlists, perhaps with guest appearances from emerging artists like Baugh. Meanwhile, Kidman, promoting her AMC Theatres campaign featuring Faith in a cameo, has publicly supported Urban. “Keith’s music comes from the heart,” she told Variety in October 2025. “Our girls are proud of him.” The daughters, navigating their teens under scrutiny, remain grounded. Sunday, who narrated a segment in Kidman’s Big Little Lies audiobook, aspires to acting; Faith, a talented pianist, has jammed with her dad on Instagram Live sessions.

As Urban looks ahead, he credits his “living room critics” for keeping him real. “In Nashville, everyone’s chasing the next hit,” he mused. “But at home? It’s about connection. These girls teach me that the best songs aren’t manufactured – they’re lived.” With “Lullaby Promises” climbing charts (currently No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs), it’s clear: for Keith Urban, the path to stardom winds through bedtime hugs and honest feedback. In a year marked by change, his message endures – family isn’t just inspiration; it’s the chorus that carries on.

Urban’s story reminds us that behind the arena lights and award shows – he’s won 13 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year four times – lies a man whose greatest accolade is “Dad.” As one fan tweeted: “Keith’s new song? It’s not just music; it’s a hug for every parent out there.” And in his living