At 50, country superstar Keith Urban looks as svelte as he did in his 20s or before, long before he left Australia and his early chart success to seek favor in Music City, Nashville. It didn't happen overnight -- anything worth it never does. There were bumps and personal battles along the way, but when the world took notice of Keith Urban, neither the critics nor the fans could stop paying attention. There is an unquestionable master musician behind the easy smile and energy of this artist, and he displays that mastery across genres from rock to roots music, and in between.

It's quite possible to catch Keith Urban cozying up with John Mayer, and then doing a heartfelt tribute to Don Williams in the same 24 hours. Urban is out on tour for his latest album, "Graffiti U," and he swung by “Today” on August 2 to perform at Rockefeller Plaza.

Summer fun

Many families across the country are already budgeting for back-to-school supplies and clothes, but Keith Urban and his fans are still in a summer frame of mind, and the guitarist and songwriter is ecstatic about the reception of the tour, saying that this outing has been “the most fun ever.” That kind of praise is something special for a man who has been in front of audiences since his teens. “Graffiti U” draws on very pop-driven hooks and synthesized touches, but the songs have the lively signature riffs and hopeful resonance that fans have come to associate with Urban.

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie couldn’t heap enough praise on the performer for maintaining his status among the “nice guys” in music, and Savannah marveled at how he not only remembered her name, but her husband’s as well.

The devoted “monkeys” (as Urban’s fan site refers to his loyal following) were ready to sing, and they sang every word with the performer through the affirming, driven “Never Comin’ Down.” Julia Michaels recreated her duet with Urban on “Coming Home,” and along with trading harmonies, the pair conveyed the relaxed chemistry of a casual sit-down with friends, even from a big stage.

Throughout the performance, Urban acknowledged his fans by waving, winking, and grasping hands.

Fans were treated to all the passion he could muster, and it was reciprocated in full. “There's nothing like New York energy,” he affirmed to the morning hosts. Hoda Kotb verified the soaked state of the singer after “Wasted Time,” and fans lapped up the slower pace of “Blue Ain't Your Color” to top off the set in the fourth hour.

One of the things Urban misses while being on the road is finding time for songwriting. “I wish I wrote every day,” mused the songwriter, but he does make time for family, with wife Nicole Kidman and daughters Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret coming out to see him on tour.

Caring counsel

Just days ago, when Urban was asked by People what he thought would help Demi Lovato following her recent overdose, he drew on his own experiences and determination to overcome substance abuse. Urban insisted that the path her life takes is “up to her,” and that she needs “good people around her” and “a willingness to want to live a different way.” Coming to that life-altering decision can take a while, but Keith Urban and many other musical luminaries prove that such darkness can be overcome.
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