{"id":908292,"date":"2026-05-25T14:13:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T19:13:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/25\/keith-urban-names-inaugural-recipient-of-rising-star-scholarship\/"},"modified":"2026-05-25T14:13:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T19:13:55","slug":"keith-urban-names-inaugural-recipient-of-rising-star-scholarship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/25\/keith-urban-names-inaugural-recipient-of-rising-star-scholarship\/","title":{"rendered":"Keith Urban Names Inaugural Recipient of \u2018Rising Star\u2019\u00a0Scholarship"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ethan Calway is the inaugural recipient of the Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship, a new initiative that provides a launchpad for Australia’s next country music export.<\/p>\n<\/header><\/div>\n

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Keith Urban at The 59th Annual CMA Awards held at the Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n\tKeith Urban <\/a>has identified his rising star.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Australia-raised country music superstar taps Ethan Calway<\/a> as the inaugural recipient of the Keith Urban Rising Star Scholarship, a new initiative with the Tamworth Country Music Festival that spotlights domestic country talent that should make international waves.<\/p>\n

\n\tUrban and Co. started the national search earlier in the year, to find one rising Australian country artist ready to take the next step internationally, an exportable act. <\/p>\n

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\n\tCalway stood out from a \u201cstrong field,\u201d reps say.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cEthan has something really special,\u201d says Urban, who broke the good news with a Zoom call<\/a>. \u201cThere\u2019s a rawness and honesty in what he does that really connects. I\u2019m excited to see what this next chapter brings for him and to be part of that journey.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAs the first recipient, Calway will receive career-changing opportunities in Nashville, including the chance to perform, write, record, and connect with key industry figures and enjoy dedicated recording time at Urban\u2019s studio, The Sound.<\/p>\n

\n\tHailing from Warragul, in country Victoria, Calway possesses electrifying guitar skills, a raw, emotive vocal style and an authenticity that signals strong global potential, say organizers of the scholarship, with a knack for blending country, rock and storytelling. Indeed, he has been compared to a young Keith Urban.<\/p>\n

\n\tHe\u2019s not coming in from the cold. Calway was a grand finalist in the 2023 Gympie NAB Talent Search and a top 10 finalist in the 2024 Toyota Star Maker. Then, in 2025, he presented his stuff to the nation on The Voice Australia<\/em>, where he enjoyed a four-chart during the Blind Auditions, after which he joined Richard Marx\u2019s team.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cHis artistry reflects both lived experience and a clear creative vision \u2013 marking him as one of Australia\u2019s most exciting emerging voices,\u201d reads a statement following his scholarship win.<\/p>\n

\n\tTo celebrate, Calway drops the new single \u201cBetter Tomorrow.\u201d Stream it in full below.<\/p>\n

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