NASHVILLE, Tenn.? -- Singer Keith Urban says that he needed self-improvement prior to his marriage to actress Nicole Kidman.

Urban, who entered a rehabilitation center for alcohol abuse last month, tells Performing Songwriter magazine's December issue that he had a lot of work to do on himself.

But he says he believes he's found the right partner and that they can go the distance together.

Urban won "male vocalist of the year" for the second year in a row at the Country Music Association Awards this month in Nashville.