Keith Urban may call the States home now, but the Australian native hasn’t forgotten his roots. As proof, the award-winning country star has spent quite a bit of time in the Land Down Under, playing a part on Australia’s version of ‘The Voice’ and bringing country to his overseas fans. Most recently, Urban is thrilling his followers by gracing the cover of GQ Australia, looking especially dapper in a tailored gray suit.

Spending a few months in his homeland has been especially good for the 44-year-old singer’s relationship with his fans, especially because it has given them more time to connect with him.

“The best thing about it has been the chance for people in Australia to get to know me,” Urban tells the magazine. “My music doesn’t really get played here despite it having a lot of appeal elsewhere, so I’ve found myself without an outlet for my songs because of various narrow stereotypes and perceptions about me.”

Luckily, mentoring new talent on ‘The Voice’ has helped Urban connect with his Australian fanbase. “‘The Voice’ has offered me an opportunity to connect in a different way and I hope now people check out the gigs because that’s the real show for me,” he explains, adding, “…and it ain’t played on a planet of 10-gallon hats.”

Although Urban has enjoyed his television gig, the ‘For You’ hitmaker has been open about his desire to create a new album. In the end, music is his first priority.

“The creative flow is taking me down a new path, past the excruciating blankness of the empty page, to somewhere fresh where singing songs and playing guitar is fun – pure and simple,” he said.

Urban will have a chance to blast his fans with new music when he takes the stage in Australia and the U.S. for his 2013 tour. Perhaps that will give him the extra boost of confidence he needs when self-doubt starts to creep in, which he admits it sometimes does.

“Negativity and doubt are always creeping into my life and having to be kept at bay,” Urban says. “Thankfully, Nic [Nicole Kidman] is great at calling me on it, and our marriage is at the stage where she doesn’t have to say anything.”

To read the full interview, look for GQ Australia on the newsstands or order your copy today by clicking here.

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