Less than week after telling fans that his dad was in hospice care, the American Idol host began to remember his dad for all of his influence.
“I’ve been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support that Nic and I, and our family, have received since my Dad’s passing on Saturday night,” Urban said in a statement to E! News. “His long battle with cancer is now over and he is finally at peace.”
He continued, “My Dad’s love of country music and America set me on my life’s journey, and shaped so much of who I am today. Thank you to everyone who has kept us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
While anytime is a difficult time to lose a parent, Robert’s death comes after his son visited an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame in his honor.
“This has all come at a very strange time where it’s typical of a career that has extreme highs and extreme lows all often at the exact same time,” Keith explained to The Tennessean. “So (the exhibit) is bittersweet a little bit because (my dad) is the catalyst for all of this. My dad is the catalyst for me living in America.”
Throughout his career, Keith has been open about how much his dad has impacted his songs and longevity.
Back in 2002, the 48-year-old penned a track titled “Song for Dad” that was ultimately featured on the Golden Road album. Robert even advised his talented son to always dress the part wherever he goes.
“My dad particularly always thought it was important that I dressed like a performer,” he told The Tennessean. “A lot of these country music talent quests I did in Australia, they often had categories for best dressed male or best dressed female and I often won. Sometimes it was the only thing I won.”
As Keith continues to grieve the loss of a special man, we couldn’t help but be touched when we found the singer’s post from February.
“Being a Dad gives me a WHOLE new love and appreciation for my Dad—and everything he’s done for me,” he wrote on Facebook as he enjoys raising two daughters.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Urban family during this difficult time.