The Country Music award winning artist, Keith Urban has been one of the judges on Season 12 of American Idol this year.

Keith was originally asked to be on the show back in September of 2012, along with rapper and judge Nicki Minaj.  The two are joined by singing sensation, Mariah Carey, and producer and original judge of the show, Randy Jackson.

Keith Urban has been rated one of the Top judges on American Idol this year by fans and multiple magazines, including Country Weekly. During an interview with Fox 411 Country earlier this year, Keith talked about what it felt like to be a judge on one of the most watched TV shows of the decade. "The most unexpected part I think for me was how emotionally invested I became with the artists. Especially when I could see exactly what they needed to work on and how I could help them do it. I actually became like a lawyer when it came time to sending some of the contestants home by actually really trying to plead their case. This was a great chance for me to get to know the other judges and hopefully have stars come out of one of the contestants." 

Along with being the most beloved judge on Idol, Keith has been gearing up for his summer tour "Light The Fuse" that begins in July. The tour was originally supposed to just be throughout the summer but by recent requests from the fans, Keith has chosen to add a fall leg to the "Light The Fuse" tour as well. There has been recent questions on wether or not Keith will have his 2013 album come out before tour or after. "Even if the record is not out before tour, we will be doing songs off the new album on tour. So in a strange happening, we may end up playing songs that people haven't heard yet. So the first time you'll hear them they'll be live." stated Keith during an interview with USA Today. 

Keith has been in the Nashville studios for the past couple of weeks day in and day out trying to pull together the final pieces of the album. Since his latest album Get Closer that was released in 2010, Keith has apologized to fans for the much over due absence, but assures it is only taking so long because he has been working with multiple producers throughout the record. "I don't know what songs will end up being on the album.. Have never set out with themes on albums, but songs start to have a similar thread and a feel that constitute an album and that's what I have been trying to make." 

The "Light The Fuse" tickets , which include Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch tagging along Keith, went on sale April 5^th. With three empty weeks during the time of his Summer and Fall legs of  tour, Keith has people asking if he will be possibly recording Season 13 Idol auditions during his spare time. " We havent confirmed anything yet, but those three weeks would be the ideal time to screen the Idol auditions. But like I said, nothing has been confirmed." stated Keith.  For more information HERE.