Keith Urban Recalls First Meeting With Dolly Parton

During Keith Urban’s final appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which is ending this year, he talked about meeting Dolly Parton for the first time. Ellen told Keith that Dolly had shared that she would love to sing a duet with him because he reminded her of her brothers.

Keith responded, “It’s so sweet. I come from working-class parents and a rural kind of background in Australia, and the first time I met Dolly — she’s sung with me a few times — and the first time I met her it was surreal, because, I mean, I grew up singing her songs. As a matter of fact, I sang her songs because I was nine years old, and my voice hadn’t broken yet, and I sounded like her — I could sing in her key.”

Keith Urban talks about meeting Dolly Parton for the first time

THE TODAY SHOW, Keith Urban, (aired February 16, 2007), 1952-, photo: Virginia Sherwood / © NBC / courtesy Everett Collection

During his time on Ellen’s talk show, he also gave her a very special gift for her final season. After performing his song “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” he gifted Ellen his guitar. He had also written a message to her on the guitar and his wife, actress Nicole Kidman signed it.

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dolly parton — Dolly Parton performs ‘Travelin’ Thru,’ from the film ‘Transamerica’ nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, during the 78th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, March 5, 2006. ©AMPAS/Courtesy Everett Collection.

Keith said, “This is a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Jr. that I’ve had for a long time. It’s on a lot of records, shout-out to all my family at the Opry in Nashville.” His message read, “Dearest darling Ellen, you’ve been a believer in me and my music since 2004, when I first came on your show. Today is the 20th time you’ve invited me to be here. I’m deeply grateful for all the years of laughs, conversations, weird a– cologne commercials and your passionate support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wish you the love and light on your journey ahead. Your friend, always, Keith Urban.”