"I'm as protective of my family as any father and husband can be. It can be just a bit intrusive, you know," he said in a recent interview. "It's just a reality. I understand the society we live in. It's a bit odd at times in that regard."
Urban and his wife, Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, had their first child, Sunday Rose, last July. He said the couple, who live in Nashville, do "what we can to keep (Sunday Rose) safe, because she didn't choose to come into this lifestyle.
Urban's new album, "Defying Gravity," produced the No. 1 country hit "Sweet Girl," and the second single, "Kiss a Girl," is No. 6 on the Billboard country chart. On Thursday, Urban kicks off his Escape Together World Tour in Uncasville, Conn.
The 41-year-old says the toughest part of touring is being away from his family. So he's making adjustments.
His tour bus is set up so they can travel with him as much as possible, and he's structured the schedule so he gets to go home frequently between shows.
"I love having them. I love when the girls are here," he said.
Urban is using a number of opening acts, including Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, The Zac Brown Band and Country Music Hall of Famer Glen Campbell.
Campbell, 73, was an early influence on him when he was growing up in Australia. He calls Campbell's latest album, "Meet Glen Campbell," on which the veteran star covers songs by the likes of Green Day and Tom Petty, "killer good."
"I fell in love with the record and reached out to see if he could come out and play with us," Urban said.
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On the Net:
Keith Urban, Vince Gill host all-star concert
Oct 13, 2009 2:00 am PDT
Keith Urban and Vince Gill will co-host an all-star concert Tuesday to raise money for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Others confirmed to perform at Nashville's Sommet Center are Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Faith Hill, Jason A...
Keith Urban goes with instinct on digital release
Jul 23, 2009 7:00 pm PDT
Keith Urban's contribution to the iTunes Originals series features interview segments and new, live-in-studio recordings of six songs -- including three from his latest album, the chart-topping "Defying Gravity." On the just-released ...
Faced with soft economy, artists offer deals
Apr 9, 2009 7:00 am PDT
If you want to sit in the really good seats for a Keith Urban concert this summer, a pair of tickets will put you about back about $170. But in a nod to the tough economic times, the country superstar has also priced some tickets as low as...
Apr 8, 2009 10:00 am PDT
No disrespect to Kelly Preston, but it looks like Nicole Kidman married the real Urban Cowboy. Fresh off last weekend's win at the Academy of Country Music Awards, Keith Urban roped in his first No. 1 album as Defying Gravit...
Brad, Carrie, Taylor, Keith, Julianne Rack Up ACMs
Apr 6, 2009 4:00 pm PDT
Don't let the 10-gallon hats and odd odes to tractors fool you—the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards knew how to keep it real. From erstwhile reality-show winners Carrie Underwood and Julianne Hough triumphing once mor...