Keith Urban marked his first major public appearance since his divorce from Nicole Kidman at the 59th annual CMA Awards.
The country singer and actress split on September 29 after 19 years of marriage.
The Let it roll hitmaker joined host Lainey Wilson for an energetic opening to the event, which paid tribute to some of country music’s biggest names in attendance, including Miranda Lambert, Shaboozey and Little Big Town.
The duo sang Urban’s Where the Blacktop ends as part of the opening medley.
After the performance, Lainey wrapped up the segment by introducing Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley as the first show host, setting the tone for the star-studded evening.
Previously, People magazine confirmed that Urban and Kidman had split over the summer. A few days later, the Eyes Wide Shut star filed for divorce.
During the premiere of The roada reality TV show in which twelve up-and-coming musicians compete to open for Urban, he opened up about the difficulties of life on the road as a touring musician.
Describing the grueling schedule, he said, “When you wake up at 3:30 in the morning on a tour bus and you’re sick as a dog, you’re in the middle of nowhere and you have to play your fifth show later that night.
He went on to talk about how everything feels like it’s emotionally draining, adding, “You haven’t slept and you miss your friends and you miss your family and you’re completely lonely and miserable and sick and you say to yourself, ‘Why am I doing this?'”
The 59th annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 19.
