In the high-octane world of country music, where dreams are as big as the stadiums that host them, one story has set the internet ablaze with pure, unfiltered awe. Keith Urban, the Australian-born guitar-slinger with a career that’s practically its own constellation, didn’t just casually invite rising star Chase Matthew to join his 2025 High and Alive World Tour. No, he picked up the phone and called Matthew’s booking agent six times in one week, determined to lock in the 27-year-old phenom as his opening act. But it’s Matthew’s jaw-dropping, 11-word reaction—“Keith Urban knows who I am? Keith Urban knows my name?”—that’s got fans buzzing from Nashville to Newcastle. This isn’t just a tour announcement; it’s a masterclass in star power, hustle, and the kind of raw emotion that makes country music feel like home.
Picture the scene: Chase Matthew, a Tennessee kid who’s been grinding his way up the country charts, is out on the road opening for Luke Bryan, another titan of the genre. He’s already living a dream, sharing stages with one of country’s biggest names, when his Live Nation booking agent pulls him aside. The agent, puffing on a cigarette with the kind of dramatic flair you’d expect from a movie, drops a bombshell: “Man, you’ve got a big fan.” Matthew, still catching his breath from a set, thinks maybe the guy’s joking. “Okay, do you need a big fan? Like, what do you mean?” he quips, expecting anything but what comes next. The agent leans in, voice low and serious: “No, man, Keith Urban has called me six times this week and will not stop bugging me about getting you on tour with him.” And just like that, Matthew’s world tilts. His stunned response—“Keith Urban knows who I am? Keith Urban knows my name?”—is the kind of unscripted, heart-on-sleeve moment that fans can’t stop replaying.
Why does this hit so hard? Because it’s more than just a booking story. It’s the collision of a legend and a dreamer, a testament to how even the biggest stars can lift up the next generation. Keith Urban, with his platinum records, sold-out arenas, and a reputation as one of country’s most versatile showmen, didn’t need to go this hard for an up-and-comer. Yet here he was, relentlessly dialing up Matthew’s team, unwilling to take no for an answer. It’s the kind of move that shows why Urban’s not just a performer but a force—a guy who’s as invested in the future of country music as he is in his own legacy. And for Matthew, whose career is barely a half-decade old, it’s the kind of validation that can change everything.
Let’s talk about Chase Matthew for a second, because this kid is no fluke. At 27, he’s already dropped three studio albums, with his self-titled Chase hitting shelves in February 2025. His debut single, “County Line,” racked up over 300 million streams, earning him a platinum plaque and a spot in CMT’s 2023 Listen Up program as a breakout talent. Songs like “Love You Again” and “Darlin’” blend heartfelt storytelling with party-ready beats, making him a natural fit for Urban’s high-energy tour. He’s toured with heavyweights like Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean, even gifting Aldean a custom AR-15 as a thank-you for his mentorship. But opening for Keith Urban? That’s a whole new level. As Matthew himself put it, touring with Urban—a man he calls “kind of like a God” in Australia, where the tour took him—was a dream come true.
Now, let’s zoom in on Urban’s side of this saga. Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, Keith Urban has been a country music juggernaut since his 1999 self-titled album broke him globally. With 11 studio albums, countless No. 1 hits, and a trophy case stuffed with ACM and CMA awards, he’s the guy who can make 24,000 fans at an Indiana amphitheater feel like they’re at a backyard bonfire. His High and Alive World Tour, which kicked off in May 2025 to celebrate his latest album High, is a three-hour spectacle of heart-thumping anthems, shredding guitar solos, and that signature Urban charm. From Toronto’s Budweiser Stage to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, the tour has been a victory lap for a career that’s pushed boundaries, blending classic country with pop, rock, and even dance vibes. But what sets Urban apart is his knack for spotting talent and giving it a stage—literally.
Urban’s praise for Matthew is as electric as his performances. “He comes out with a take-no-prisoners attitude,” Urban said in a recent radio appearance. “Two songs in, he has everybody on their feet. Same thing in Australia. He’s got something.” That “something” was on full display at stops like Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana, on June 28, 2025, where Matthew hit the stage at 8:15 PM and turned 24,000 fans into a roaring, dancing mob by his third song. He tossed t-shirts into the crowd, shouted out truck owners—Ford, Dodge, Chevy—and closed with “Love You Again,” a gold-turned-platinum hit that had the audience singing every word. As one reviewer put it, “Matthew didn’t just open for Keith Urban—he owned the stage.”
The High and Alive Tour itself is a beast, crisscrossing North America with stops in Canada, Australia, and beyond, wrapping up in Nashville on October 17, 2025. Alongside Matthew, Urban tapped other rising stars like Alana Springsteen and Karley Scott Collins, creating a lineup that feels like a passing of the torch. But it’s Matthew’s story that’s resonating most, thanks to that viral moment of disbelief. Fans on social media are eating it up, with posts like, “Chase’s reaction is all of us when our idols notice us!” and “Keith Urban calling six times? That’s the energy we need in 2025!” The tour’s Australian leg, where Urban’s practically royalty, was a particular highlight for Matthew. He marveled at the crowds Down Under, describing Urban as a deity-like figure who commands arenas with ease.
What makes this story so gripping is the human element. Matthew’s no stranger to hard work—he’s played dive bars like Indianapolis’ Eight Second Saloon, a proving ground for country greats like Garth Brooks and Luke Combs. His journey from those sweaty stages to amphitheaters with 24,000 screaming fans mirrors Urban’s own path from Australian pubs to global stardom. And Urban’s relentless pursuit of Matthew shows a side of him fans adore: he’s not just a star, he’s a fan too, someone who gets goosebumps discovering new talent. When Urban and his wife, Nicole Kidman, congratulated Matthew backstage after a Newcastle, Australia, show, the moment felt like a coronation—a rising star anointed by country royalty.
For Matthew, that 11-word reaction wasn’t just shock; it was a milestone. “Keith Urban knows who I am? Keith Urban knows my name?” captures the surreal thrill of being seen by someone you’ve idolized. It’s the kind of moment every aspiring artist dreams of, the kind that fuels late-night songwriting sessions and long bus rides. And for fans, it’s a reminder of why country music feels so personal—it’s a genre built on stories, connections, and the idea that anyone with a guitar and a dream can make it. Matthew’s already making waves, with over 1.2 billion streams and a 2025 Holdin’ It Down Tour of his own, but Urban’s endorsement has catapulted him into a new stratosphere.
As the High and Alive Tour winds down, the buzz around Matthew’s role only grows. Fans are already clamoring for more, speculating about whether he’ll join Urban for future one-off shows or even collaborate on a track. Urban, ever the innovator, might just have a surprise up his sleeve—maybe a duet to cap off the tour’s Nashville finale. For now, though, the story of those six phone calls and Matthew’s stunned reaction is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s a tale of persistence, belief, and the magic of music bringing two worlds together. So, the next time you’re at a concert, screaming along to a new artist’s set, remember Chase Matthew’s 11 words. Because somewhere out there, another star is calling, ready to make someone else’s dream come true.
