Country music star Keith Urban received the Recording Artists Coalition Award at the 2017 Grammys on The Hill on Wednesday. He was honored for dedicating his time and resources to music education programs. The four-time Grammy Award winner said his two daughters inspired him to fight for music education.
The Grammy-winning artist, who has been producing hit records for more than two decades has provided thousands of musical instruments to underserve programs across the country. It all started when he was shocked to find out that the programs were frequently cut in public schools, USA Today reported.
Along with Urban the academy also honored Sens. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico, Susan Collins, and R-Maine for their ongoing support of music programs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Wynonna Judd, John Popper of the Blues Traveler and Motown star Duke Fakir of the Four Tops were a few other musicians who also appeared at the event.
ABC News reported Urban said the opportunity to bring attention to music education was wonderful and it was what the night was all about. He added that music needed to be more seriously considered for the effects it has on kids and that it wasn't some frivolous subject that can be discarded so effortlessly.
Martina McBride was the master of ceremonies for the even in Washington D.C. McBride herself was previously honored at the same event.
Artists were also advocating on Capitol Hill for performers' rights and equitable royalty practices. John Popper said that with technology changing over the last 40 years, the royalty rates should reflect the same kind of adjustments.
President of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences Neil Portnow stressed the importance of music as a form of diplomacy. Portnow said that the cold war was not won with just missiles and that it was won with Elvis.
Urban attributed his success to his supportive parents and love of music. He shared that he fell in love with music when he was 6-years-old with his guitar.
