Shortly after noon on Monday Urban emerged with his backing band and proceeded to deliver a strong hour-long set to kick off a series of high-profile public appearances established to promote the arrival of his new record. From Mid-Tennessee Keith heads back east for a release party in New York City followed immediately by an intimate interview and performance at the 200-seat Grammy Museum's Clive Davis Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Thousand of fans pack downtown Nashville for a free lunch-time concert.

"I wish you all could see the view from up here. It's amazing," Urban said surveying the lunch-time crowd estimated to be over 7000 and comprised of die-hard fans, tourists and curiosity seekers. Anyone wanting to learn more about the artist and television personality needed to walk no further than a block up to the Country Music Hall of Fame that is currently running an exhibit on his career aptly titled "So Far".

Urban's new album features many musical styles including bluegrass.

Joining the casually dressed Urban and his well-honed quartet were many city dignitaries, industry V.I.P.s., circling news choppers and an assortment of Nashville's finest food trucks parked across the plaza ready to nourish the masses.

Fans gathered from Broadway to 5th Avenue for a musical Monday.

Urban, who will return to headline Bridgestone Arena November 11 announced the free show last week. His concert in Nashville was a celebration of the old and the new with a setlist comprised of "Gone Tomorrow (Here Today)", "Long Hot Summer", "Raise 'Em Up", "Sweet Thing", "Break on Me", "Blue Ain't Your Color", "Somewhere in My Car", "Gettin' in the Way", "John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16" and "Wasted Time".

Keith Urban - country music star and guitar god in Nashville.

Related Links: For more information on KEITH URBAN and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Keith Urban | Bridgestone Arena