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The Boot

Radney Foster Sings Praises of Keith Urban

July 22nd 2010 3:00PM


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Radney Foster knows a thing or two about hit songs. In addition to his own artist career, both as a solo act and half of the duo Foster & Lloyd, the award-winning songwriter has penned dozens of songs for some of music's biggest acts, including Sara Evans, Gary Allan, the Dixie Chicks and Pat Green, among others. Yet instead of touting his own impressive credentials, he's more likely to point to another writer and platinum-selling artist he admires, namely Keith Urban.

"Keith's such a great guy," Radney tells The 9513. "I know he's not a traditionalist in the best sense of the word, he's doing what some people are calling contemporary country, or pop-country or modern country. But he really has a sense of honoring where the roots of country music came from. He can go toe-to-toe with you on every Glen Campbell or Merle Haggard song ever. And he really reminds me a lot of Glen Campbell. He has that high tenor voice, is a dynamic performer and is just an outstanding guitar player. He has some of that going on. That's what Glen did. He honored country music but pushed the envelope at the same time."

Part of Keith's talent, Radney adds, is Keith's ability to know when to step back. "He certainly doesn't need my help or anybody else's help to write a hit song," Radney admits. "But he's wise enough. The best singer-songwriters ever that have made it into the icon stratosphere always cut some of other people's songs. James Taylor cut some Carole King songs. Merle Haggard cut Harlan Howard songs. The list goes on and on. He's got sense enough to mine something that someone else did and then make that his
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Filed under: Country News
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