Keith Urban, 'The Voice' Australia Coach Gives Back

Posted Feb 22nd 2012 1:35PM by Erin Duvall
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Frederick Breedon, Getty Images

When Keith Urban was first offered a spot on the Australian version of 'The Voice,' he turned it down. However, that decision was based solely on his hectic schedule. The country superstar believes in everything the show is about, so he was happy to say 'yes' once his travel plans allowed.

"The first and foremost thing I loved about it was the blind auditions," he says. "We live in such a visual age, but we don't buy videos, we buy records. So what does it matter what an artist looks like? How about how they sound? How does their voice affect me? And how does that song affect me? I love that this show is the first one that I've ever seen that basically go on just the sound of the voice first, and then we run with other things after that. That really struck me as a cool thing."

Now filming the show in Australia, the singer-songwriter is looking to be more of a mentor than a critic. "The good thing about 'The Voice' is they focus on looking for the strengths in people," Keith says (quote via The Tennessean). "I did a few of these things when I was younger, and I know what it's like to just be crucified."

Alongside fellow coaches Delta Goodrem, Seal and Good Charlotte's Joel Madden, Keith's goal is help everyone who auditions for the show, whether they make his team or not.

"My want is to help someone realize that, 'You nailed these things, and any artist has areas they need help with, and I may have these faults myself and that's why, maybe I'm pointing them out in you,'" he says. "I look at this as an opportunity to give back and help somebody."

Once his team has been assembled, the 'You Gonna Fly' singer also plans to take on the role of a record producer. "It's working with players and trying to have a vision," he says. "It's like, 'If we tweak this and focus this and maybe sing this down here,' and really play to their strengths."

Keith will be back in the States next month. He's performing at the Grand Ole Opry on March 9. Get a full list of his tour dates here.

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