Keith Urban’s 2013 Year in Review – Exclusive Pictures

Keith Urban had a phenomenal year in 2013. With the release of an innovative new album, 'Fuse,' the Australian-born superstar not only maintained his position as one of country music's hottest acts, he actually broke new musical ground while doing so.

Urban began the year in the studio, working with a number of different producers on the music that would become 'Fuse.'

"I've always loved the creative discovery of being in the studio, and I can spend waay too long in there very easily," Urban admits.

Urban staged his annual We're All for the Hall benefit concert on April 16 at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. This year's event featured Vince Gill, Tim McGraw, Montgomery Gentry, Willie Nelson, Trace Adkins and many more.

"If ever there was a labor of love, it's putting on our AFTH shows each year with Vince," said Urban. "It takes the community spirit that’s at the heart of country music to make these events not only successful, but so easy to put together."

On May 3, Urban joined the Rolling Stones onstage to open their tour at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where he jammed with them on 'Respectable.'

"Nothing in life can compare you for the atomic ferocity of performing inches away from Mick f---in' Jagger, trading solos with Keith [Richards] and Ron [Wood] and getting lost in the legendary groove of Charlie Watts," he said.

On Sept. 5, just days before 'Fuse' was set for release, Urban played a set on a barge in Baltimore's Inner Harbor to help kick off the NFL season.

"While the game was actually happening in Denver, we were kickin' it with some of the rowdiest Baltimorians ever assembled to hear someone play on a barge," he said.

The following day, Sept. 6, Urban took to the streets of Nashville for a quick series of promotional appearances, kicking off at Nashville's Riverfront Park. He then visited three Nashville honky tonks in rapid succession, playing a short set at each stop.

During his performance at the world-famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, Urban was joined by Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler, who jammed with him on ZZ Top's 'La Grange' before they launched into Aerosmith's 'Walk This Way.'

"I always wanted to know what it was like to be Joe Perry," Urban noted.

That's not all 2013 held in store for Urban. 'Fuse' was not only a critical hit, it was a commercial smash, debuting at No. 1 in both the country and mainstream charts. The album has spawned to No. 1 singles with 'Little Bit of Everything' and 'We Were Us,' a duet with Miranda Lambert.