Keith Urban is one-half of one of the most famous celebrity couples in the world. The husband of Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, and protective father to two girls (Sunday Rose, 4, and Faith Margaret, 1), lives out much of his personal life in the public eye, which he admits poses challenges.

"We try to keep a sense of privacy around us, while acknowledging that Nic and I both inhabit very public professions," Keith tells Australia's GQ "Being a husband and a father is a horrendous responsibility but it's a beautiful opportunity as well. I'm always balancing the need to encourage the girls' freedom and not impose on their own journey with that primal need of the father and husband to protect and guide them every step of the way."

Keith credits his spouse with helping him keep a positive attitude. "Negativity and doubt are always creeping into my life and having to be kept at bay," he notes. "Thankfully, Nic is great at calling me on it, and our marriage is at the stage where she doesn't have to say anything. I hear myself prattling on with negative crap and her loaded silence shuts me up."

The New Zealand-born singer earned an entirely new fan base when he appeared on the Australian TV talent competition "The Voice," earlier this year. It's an experience which he hopes will translate into fans of his songs as well.

"My music doesn't really get played here," explains the country superstar, "despite it having a lot of appeal elsewhere. So I've found myself without an outlet for my songs because of various narrow stereotypes and perceptions about me. That's been a challenge. But 'The Voice' has offered an opportunity to connect in a different way and I hope now people check out the gigs because that's the real show for me ... and it ain't played on a planet of 10-gallon hats."

Keith is spending the summer working on a new album, before he kicks off a new tour Down Under early next year. Keep track of his upcoming tour dates here.

Watch Keith Urban's 'For You' Video


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