Tim Urban

Urban was born in Tacoma, Washington, and is the sixth of ten children. His family moved to Duncanville, Texas when he was five.{{cite web|url = https://www.twitter.com/TimUrbanMusic/status/14256911270|title = Tim Urban Twitter|author = Tim Urban|work = Twitter|date = May 18, 2010|accessdate = June 25, 2013}}{{cite news|last = Cook|first = Rita|title = American Idol finalist returns to Duncanville|url = http://focusdailynews.com/american-idol-finalist-returns-to-duncanville-p2267-1.htm|work = Focus Daily News|accessdate = June 25, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160130130010/http://focusdailynews.com/american-idol-finalist-returns-to-duncanville-p2267-1.htm|archive-date = January 30, 2016|url-status = dead}} His siblings and he were all homeschooled by their mother, and two of his brothers have served in the military. Urban began to sing and learn the guitar when he was 13.{{cite web|url = http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/photos/meet-american-idols-top-12-2010172/6897|title = Meet American Idol's Top 12!|work = usmagazine.com| date=March 12, 2010 |accessdate = June 25, 2013}} Before auditioning for American Idol, he worked as a hotel and restaurant singer, and had a band.{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.malaysia.msn.com/tv/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=3899536&page=22|title=Latest in TV news – MSN Malaysia Entertainment|website=Entertainment.malaysia.msn.com|accessdate=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202094127/http://entertainment.malaysia.msn.com/tv/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=3899536&page=22|archive-date=February 2, 2014|url-status=dead}} The group played regularly in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Christian music circuit, and also performed at Six Flags Over Texas twice.{{Cite web |url=http://www.one21music.com/2010/02/american-idol-seaon-9-goes-live/ |title=American Idol Season 9|Christian Music Artist|Top 24 | |access-date=April 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305145823/http://www.one21music.com/2010/02/american-idol-seaon-9-goes-live/ |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |url-status=dead }} Urban has pointed to several diverse artists as his musical influences, including John Denver, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, OneRepublic, Jim Croce, James Taylor, Third Day, Michael Bublé, Coldplay, and Matt Nathanson.{{cite news|url = https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2010-02-23-american-idol-men_N.htm|title = 'American Idol': Meet the men|work = usatoday30.usatoday.com|date = February 23, 2010|accessdate = July 15, 2013}}{{cite interview|last = Urban|first = Tim|subject-link = Tim Urban|title = Interview|interviewer = Jennifer Tapiero|website = Blog.starcam.com|url = http://blog.starcam.com/post/american-idol-tim-urban-interview.aspx|location = Los Angeles|date = April 15, 2011|accessdate = June 25, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url = http://www.amtcworld.com/the-results/top-100/timothy-urban|title = Success Stories: Timothy Urban|website = Amtcworld.com|accessdate = July 17, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111020027/http://www.amtcworld.com/the-results/top-100/timothy-urban|archive-date = November 11, 2013|url-status = usurped}}

Urban was a member of the talent-development agency Actors, Models and Talent for Christ (AMTC).{{Cite web |url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/03/24/american-idol-tim-urban-photos/ |title=Tim Urban of 'American Idol' Will Keep His Shirt on: The MTV News Quote of the Day » MTV Newsroom |access-date=April 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328163416/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2010/03/24/american-idol-tim-urban-photos |archive-date=March 28, 2010 |url-status=dead }}

Urban tried out for the ninth season of American Idol at the Dallas auditions, and sang "Bulletproof Weeks" by Matt Nathanson.{{cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/american-idol/american-idol-chris-golightlys-34663.aspx|author=Henrik Batallones|title=American Idol: Tim Urban Joins Top 24 as Chris Golightly Disqualified|work=BuddyTV|date=February 17, 2010|accessdate=January 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102182556/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/american-idol/american-idol-chris-golightlys-34663.aspx|archive-date=November 2, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/02/tim-urban/1#.Ut_-gBDTmpo|author=Brian Mansfield|title=Tim Urban: 'It's about the music and how you perform'|work=Idol Chatter|date=February 23, 2010|accessdate=January 22, 2014}} Simon Cowell questioned the song choice, but felt that there was "more to come out of [Urban]." The judges sent Urban through to Hollywood Week, where he was shown during the first night, singing "Come Back to Me" by American Idol seventh-season winner David Cook.{{cite web|url=http://news.lalate.com/2010/02/18/tim-urban-american-idol-photos/|title=Tim Urban American Idol PHOTOS!|work=news.lalate.com|date=February 18, 2010|accessdate=January 22, 2014}} Simon and Kara DioGuardi both complimented the performance, although DioGuardi noted that it was "a little shaky."{{cite episode|title=Hollywood Week Night 1|series=American Idol|network=Fox|date=February 9, 2010|season=9|time=45 minutes}} Urban was cut before the Top 24, but was called back after contestant Chris Golightly was disqualified from the competition for having lied about a past recording contract. Urban subsequently survived the semifinal eliminations and won a spot in the ninth's season top 10, securing a place on the 2010 American Idol summer concert tour.{{Cite web |url=http://tvwatch.people.com/2010/02/18/idol-shakeup-tim-urban-replaces-chris-golightly-in-top-24/ |title=Idol Shakeup: Tim Urban Replaces Chris Golightly in Top 24 - PEOPLE TV Watch |access-date=March 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221073920/http://tvwatch.people.com/2010/02/18/idol-shakeup-tim-urban-replaces-chris-golightly-in-top-24/ |archive-date=February 21, 2010 |url-status=dead }} When he was asked by American Idol what his proudest moment was, he answered, "Handing out nutritional products to orphans in South Africa and Swaziland."{{cite web|url=http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/tim_urban/|title=Watch American Idol TV Show - ABC.com|website=ABC|accessdate=September 16, 2018}}

File:Tim-Urban-AI Tour.jpg

On the whole, Urban received a mixed reception from the judges, who praised a few of his performances, but regarded many of them as boring, "pedestrian"MTV News. [http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1635110/20100330/index.jhtml?rsspartner=rssyahoo 'American Idol' R&B Night Belongs To Lee Dewyze, Crystal Bowersox]{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. March 30, 2010. and "pointless and silly."Dallas/Fort Worth Star-Telegram. [http://www.dfw.com/2010/03/23/253735/dfw-american-idol-hopefuls-criticized.html DFW 'American Idol' hopefuls criticized on bad night overall]. March 24, 2010. But bloggers, often comparing him to Sanjaya Malakar from the sixth season,Dunn, Gabrielle. [http://television.aol.com/american-idol/2010/04/13/teflon-tim-urban-most-polarizing-idol-finalist-since-sanjaya/ Teflon Tim Urban: Most Polarizing 'Idol' Finalist Since Sanjaya?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418233322/http://television.aol.com/american-idol/2010/04/13/teflon-tim-urban-most-polarizing-idol-finalist-since-sanjaya |date=April 18, 2010 }}. AOL Television. April 13, 2010. noted how the judges' criticisms never seemed to affect the perpetually smiling Urban—or his chances at being saved week after week. He was dubbed "Teflon Tim,"USA Today. [http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/03/doomsday-scenario-how-tim-urban-could-win-american-idol/1 The doomsday scenario: How Tim Urban wins 'American Idol']. March 28, 2010. a nickname to which host Ryan Seacrest alluded during the March 30 broadcast.USA Today. [http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/03/tim-urbans-feeling-the-sweet-love-well-maybe-not-so-much/1 Tim Urban's feeling the 'Sweet Love'; well, maybe not so much]. March 30, 2010.Seattle Times.[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/idolconfessions/2011487976_american_idol_top_10_is_timmys.html 'American Idol' Top 10 is Timmy's World, and the rest of them are just living in it.]. March 31, 2010. "I don't think it makes any difference whatsoever what we say," quipped Simon Cowell the same night. "You're going to smile, the audience is going to vote for you, nobody cares, and you'll be here next week. So well done." As the controversy over Urban's lackluster performances grew, critics of the show began to fault the judges' commentary as "little more than displays of ego or thinly disguised bullying," and suggested Urban may be good for the show, because he put the judges in their place.USA Today "Idol Chatter". [http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/04/why-tim-urban-needs-to-stick-around/1 Why Tim Urban needs to stick around]. April 1, 2010.

Vote for the Worst, a satirical Idol blog, supported Urban for his entire run during the season. The website claimed Urban held the record for the contestant to survive the longest with its endorsement, outlasting even Malakar.{{Cite web |url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/American+Idol+stinker+Urban+mangles+hits+woos+fans/2765440/story.html |title=American Idol stinker Tim Urban mangles the hits, woos the fans |access-date=October 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620090833/http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/American+Idol+stinker+Urban+mangles+hits+woos+fans/2765440/story.html |archive-date=June 20, 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://television.aol.com/american-idol/2010/04/02/dave-della-terza-interview-vote-for-the-worst-tim-urban/|title=Yahoo!|website=Television.aol.com|accessdate=September 16, 2018|archive-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916201918/http://television.aol.com/american-idol/2010/04/02/dave-della-terza-interview-vote-for-the-worst-tim-urban/|url-status=dead}} Urban later said about the blog, "I'm actually kind of sad that I was on that website."{{cite web|url=http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/04/22/1097102/american-idols-tim-urban-saddened.html|title=American Idol's Tim Urban saddened by Vote for the Worst endorsement|website=ledger-enquirer.com|accessdate=September 16, 2018}}

Urban was eliminated during the "Idol Gives Back" special on April 21, after receiving unenthusiastic reviews for his performance of "Better Days" by Goo Goo Dolls, making him finish the competition in seventh place. A retrospect of Urban's run on Idol followed the announcement of his elimination. Then, presumably because the show ran long, it abruptly ended, without Urban even having a chance to sing a final song.{{Cite web |url=http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/04/21/teflon-tim-urban-finally-gets-the-boot-on-american-idol-vid/ |title='Teflon' Tim Urban Finally Gets the Boot on 'American Idol' (VIDEO) - Inside TV |access-date=April 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426005914/http://insidetv.aol.com/2010/04/21/teflon-tim-urban-finally-gets-the-boot-on-american-idol-vid |archive-date=April 26, 2010 |url-status=dead }} Urban later said, "I was a little sad that I didn't get to sing one last time on that stage, but... you don't always get what you want. I'll be back for the finale and hopefully get to perform on that stage again. It was a little bittersweet, but overall, it's all right."{{cite web |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2010/04/tim-urban-on-being-the-vote-for-the-worst-pick-its-nothing-to-be-proud-of-i-was-sad.html |title=Tim Urban on being Vote for the Worst pick: 'It's nothing to be proud of.... I was sad' | Idol Tracker | Los Angeles Times |website=latimesblogs.latimes.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425044216/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2010/04/tim-urban-on-being-the-vote-for-the-worst-pick-its-nothing-to-be-proud-of-i-was-sad.html |archive-date=25 April 2010 |url-status=dead}}

• {{note|1|Note 1}} Because of the controversy over Chris Golightly's contract, Urban was brought back into the top 24.
• {{note|2|Note 2}} Urban was saved first from elimination.
• {{note|3|Note 3}} When Ryan Seacrest announced the results for this particular night, Urban was among the Bottom 3 but declared safe second, as Paige Miles was eliminated.
• {{note|4|Note 4}} When Ryan Seacrest announced the results for this particular night, Urban was among the Bottom 3 but declared safe second, as Didi Benami was eliminated.
• {{note|5|Note 5}} Due to the judges' using their one save to save Michael Lynche, the Top 9 remained intact for another week.

File:Tim Urban Paparazzo Photography.jpg

Urban went on a media tour on local FOX affiliates, in addition to planned appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, and The Wendy Williams Show. He has visited the If I Can Dream house. He was a part of the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2010, which started July 1, and ended on August 31, where he sang "Better Days" and "Viva la Vida".{{cite tweet|user=TheRealTimUrban|author=Tim Urban|number=16417070949|date=June 17, 2010|title=I will be singing Better Days on tour. The rest is a secret lol ;)}} He also confirmed on MySpace that he will be releasing an EP. He then performed a live show during the half-time football game Duncanville High School vs Garland High School, wearing a Duncanville jersey. He was given the key to Duncanville and his own day "September 3" in his home town, Duncanville, at the game from the mayor.{{cite web |url=http://web24.twitpic.com/img/152015258-b09789f6d93370baf3ca8a06b572d3a5.4c7aa728-scaled.png |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717115748/http://web24.twitpic.com/img/152015258-b09789f6d93370baf3ca8a06b572d3a5.4c7aa728-scaled.png |title=Archived |type=PNG |archive-date=July 17, 2011|date=July 17, 2011|accessdate=2023-05-17}}{{dl|date=May 2023}}

On November 8, 2010, Urban began releasing a song a day to iTunes from his debut EP Heart of Me. On November 7, 2010, in a LIVE chat with the web site AiNow.org, he was said to be moving to California during the week of November 7, 2010, to work on his acting career and music, and is working on booking TV appearances to promote his album in California.

His first single, "Heart of Me", was released online November 7, 2010, and to iTunes on November 8, 2010. In the following days (in order) "Wheels Touch Down", "You and I", "P.S.", "Lullaby", and "Blur" were put up on iTunes.

On May 1, 2012, Urban released his first single, "Someday", from his upcoming debut album due for a 2012 release as a temporary free download and released the music video for the single in May 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.timurbanmusic.com/song/someday|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508053627/http://timurbanmusic.com/song/someday|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 8, 2012|title=快3在线投注,www.777k3.com,www.k3js.com|website=Timurbanmusic.com|accessdate=September 16, 2018}} He recently ran a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to record and release two new songs, "Perfectly You" and "Tears for Hallelujah." The new songs should be released around the beginning of 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1967714265/tears-for-hallelujah-recording-and-release|title=Tears for Hallelujah – Recording and Release|website=Kickstarter.com|accessdate=September 16, 2018}}

In 2014, Urban released his second EP, New York Sessions.{{cn|date=March 2025}}

{{Reflist}}

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• {{Official website|http://www.timurbanmusic.com }}
• [http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/tim_urban/ American Idol contestants page]
• {{IMDb name|3863781}}

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Category:1989 births

Category:21st-century American guitarists

Category:21st-century American male singers

Category:21st-century American singers

Category:American performers of Christian music

Category:American male guitarists

Category:American Idol participants

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Category:People from Duncanville, Texas

Category:Singers from Texas

Category:Guitarists from Texas