Paisley to hang with Urban after his vocal surgery

The Associated Press, Friday, December 2, 2011, 4:33pm (PST)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- No one has spoken to Keith Urban since his surgery last week to remove a polyp on his vocal cord.

That's because the country star is on complete vocal rest for the next couple of weeks.

Friend Brad Paisley has checked in with Urban, and they have plans to hang out while Urban recovers.

"We're big guitar junkies, and we wanted to get together and maybe go through some amplifiers and go through some gear," said Paisley before the CMT Artists of the Year taping on Tuesday in Nashville. "I told him, `Let's do that. You don't have to talk. We'll get together. We'll play guitar, set up some amps, go through some tubes, try some stuff out and tweak.' I'll do all the talking, which I am very capable of. He can just nod and grunt and do whatever he's allowed to do."

Paisley said he can't imagine what it's like to not be able to talk for weeks. But he thinks Urban's wife, actress Nicole Kidman, should take full advantage of the situation.

"I'm sure Nicole loves it. It's got to be great for her," he joked.

Before heading into surgery, Urban posted a video for fans, thanking them for their gifts and well wishes. He said he looks forward to seeing fans in 2012.

An earlier statement from Urban's publicist called the surgery a minor outpatient procedure. Urban postponed his "All For The Hall" concert to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame that was originally scheduled for Jan. 18. He also rescheduled the rest of his 2011 concert dates for next year.

Urban is a four-time Grammy winner with 13 No. 1 hits, including his most recent, "Long Hot Summer."

——

Online:

http://www.keithurban.net

——

For the latest country music news from The Associated Press, follow: http://www.twitter.com/AP—Country