Josh Turner

Last updated
Josh Turner
Joshua Otis Turner.jpg
Turner performing in 2010
Background information
Birth nameJoshua Otis Turner [1]
Born (1977-11-20) November 20, 1977 (age 46) [1]
Hannah, South Carolina, U.S.
Origin Hannah, South Carolina
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2001–present
Labels MCA Nashville
Website joshturner.com

Joshua Otis Turner (born November 20, 1977) is an American country singer and songwriter. In 2003, he signed to MCA Nashville Records. That same year, his debut album's title track, "Long Black Train", was his breakthrough single release. His second album, Your Man (2006) accounted for his first two No. 1 hits, "Your Man" and "Would You Go with Me", while 2007's Everything Is Fine included a No. 2 hit, "Firecracker". Haywire , released in 2010, produced his biggest hit, the four-week No. 1 hit "Why Don't We Just Dance" and another No. 1 song, "All Over Me". It was followed by Punching Bag (2012), whose lead-off single, "Time Is Love", was the biggest country hit of 2012 according to Billboard Year-End.

Contents

Early life

Turner was born in Hannah, South Carolina. Growing up in the church, he founded a gospel quartet called Thankful Hearts, where he sang bass, [1] in addition to singing the bass part in choirs. [2]

In 1996, Turner developed a lesion on his right vocal cord. Turner was examined by the Vanderbilt voice clinic, where doctors advised him to let it heal on its own. Surgery was not needed, but he did have to rest his voice for a year. While Turner rested his voice back at home, he learned classical vocal technique and how to take care of his voice and avoid developing further problems. Turner states that he "learned how to whistle really well during that year". [3]

After Hannah-Pamplico High School, he spent some time at Francis Marion University before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, to enroll in Belmont University and pursue a career in music. After college, his fledgling career got a boost on December 21, 2001, during his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, when he performed a song he wrote titled "Long Black Train", which was inspired by Hank Williams. [1] He received a standing ovation in the middle of the song, then sang it again for an encore.

Career

2001–2004: Long Black Train

On December 21, 2001, Turner debuted on the Grand Ole Opry with the song "Long Black Train".

In 2003, Turner released his debut album, also entitled Long Black Train . Prior to its release, Turner had released 7" vinyl singles of "She'll Go on You" and "Long Black Train". Both singles featured Long Black Train album track "Backwoods Boy" as a B-side. While neither "Backwoods Boy" nor "She'll Go on You" were successful (the latter peaking at No. 46 on the country charts), "Long Black Train" spent more than forty weeks on the Billboard country charts, reaching a peak of No. 13 and receiving a gold certification. The third single, "What It Ain't", was less successful, reaching No. 31.

2005–2006: Your Man

In early 2006, Turner released his second album, Your Man . The album's first single and title track, "Your Man", was written by Jace Everett, Chris DuBois and Chris Stapleton and released in late 2005. "Your Man" also climbed the charts slowly, eventually reaching No. 1 in early 2006. Your Man was certified Gold by the RIAA four weeks after its release, and went Platinum six months later. [4]

"Would You Go with Me" was the second single released from Your Man. Like the album's title track, "Would You Go with Me" also reached the top of the country singles charts, holding that position for two weeks; it also reached No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100. Turner also performed it on the CMA Awards in November 2006.

Shortly after the album's release, a song called "Me and God" was released as a single to Christian radio. A duet with bluegrass musician Ralph Stanley, the song also featured members of the band Diamond Rio on background vocals. "Me and God" reached a peak of No. 16 on the country charts.

In December 2006, the 49th Annual Grammy Award nominations were announced. Turner received nods for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and for Best Country Album. That same month, a featurette on CMT Insider showed Turner in the studio working on the album. He mentioned that he wanted it to sound like music in the 18th and 19th centuries. Turner performed at the Ryman Auditorium where a live album was recorded, singing a song called, "Church in the Holler". Turner's album Josh Turner: Live At The Ryman was recorded in April and is available exclusively through Cracker Barrel restaurants.

Turner, along with veteran songwriters Brett James and Don Schlitz, wrote a song entitled "Say Yes"; recorded and released by singer Dusty Drake in 2007, the song was a minor Top 40 country hit for Drake, peaking at No. 36. [5]

2007–2011: Everything Is Fine and Haywire

On September 29, 2007, while giving an award to Roy Clark on Clark's 20th anniversary on the Grand Ole Opry, Turner was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was inducted by Vince Gill on October 27, 2007. [6] At the time, he and Carrie Underwood were the youngest members of the Opry.

Turner's third studio album for MCA Nashville, titled Everything Is Fine , was released on October 30, 2007. Its lead-off single, "Firecracker", became Turner's third Top Ten hit on the country music charts, peaking at No. 2. The second single from Everything Is Fine, a duet with Trisha Yearwood entitled "Another Try", was released in late January 2008, peaking at No. 15. The title track was released as the third single and peaked at No. 20. Everything Is Fine has been certified gold.

At the end of June, Turner wrapped up recording his fourth album, Haywire . The lead-off single, "Why Don't We Just Dance", which was released on August 12, 2009, debuted at No. 57 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of September 5, 2009. The song went on to become Turner's third Number One hit, spending four consecutive weeks at the top in February 2010. The album was released on February 9, 2010, along with a deluxe version. "All Over Me" was released in April 2010 as the album's second single; it became Turner's fourth Number One. On September 27, 2010, Turner shot the video for "I Wouldn't Be a Man" in Nashville, which was the third single from Haywire. "Haywire" is now certified gold. [7]

2012–2017: Punching Bag and Deep South

Turner in Des Moines, Iowa in January 2016 Josh Turner by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Turner in Des Moines, Iowa in January 2016

Turner's fifth studio album, Punching Bag , was released via MCA Nashville on June 12, 2012, and preceded by the single "Time Is Love". The song, written by Tom Shapiro, Tony Martin, and Mark Nesler, was released digitally on December 20, 2011, and went for radio adds on January 9. [8] The song reached No. 2 but finished the year as the No. 1 country song of 2012 according to Billboard . [9] The album's second single "Find Me a Baby", was released to country radio on October 15, 2012, but it failed to make top 40 on the country charts.

Also in 2012, Turner released Live Across America with twelve of his songs recorded in concert in different cities. This album was distributed through Cracker Barrel. "Those are the most magical performances of each song," Turner said. [9]

The lead single from Turner's upcoming sixth studio album, "Lay Low", was released to country radio on September 1, 2014. It reached a peak of No. 25 on Country Airplay, at which it remained stalled for several weeks. The single did not perform as expected on the charts, so Turner's label decided to delay the release of the album and next single. [10] The second single, "Hometown Girl", was released to radio on May 31, 2016. [11] [12] At Turner's show in Reading, Pennsylvania, on November 5, 2016, he announced that his new album would be released sometime in March 2017. The album, Deep South , was released on March 10, 2017, preceded by two sneak preview songs, "Deep South" and "Where the Girls Are" released on February 23, 2017. [13] Deep South scored Turner his third No. 1 album on the US Top Country Album's Chart upon its release. [14] Turner's second single, "Hometown Girl", from Deep South peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's Country Airplay Chart [15] and at No. 1 on the Mediabase chart, which made it Turner's fifth No. 1 single. . [16] Turner's third single "All About You", written by Craig Wiseman and Justin Weaver, was released on May 15, 2017. [17]

2018–2023: I Serve a Savior, Country State of Mind, and King Size Manger

After the release of Deep South, Turner began work on a project of gospel music. Titled I Serve a Savior , his seventh studio album was issued on October 26, 2018. It consists of a collection of mostly gospel standards with a few original songs, including its title track that Turner co-wrote. The album also features appearances by Sonya Isaacs, Bobby Osborne, and Turner's own family (who sing and play instruments on a track penned by his wife and oldest son) and new live renditions of both "Long Black Train" and "Me and God". [18] [19]

Turner followed this release with two further passion projects: Country State of Mind (2020) and King Size Manger (2021), his eighth and ninth studio albums. Country State of Mind consisted of a collection of cover songs, while King Size Manger served as Turner's first album of Christmas music.

2024–present: New music

In April 2024, it was announced that Turner had extended his record deal with MCA Nashville, his longtime label home of over two decades, and that "Heatin' Things Up" would be released as his new single. [20]

Acting

Turner played George Beverly Shea in the 2008 film Billy: The Early Years , about the evangelist Billy Graham. Shea was the soloist for the Billy Graham Crusades. [21]

Personal life

Turner has one brother and one sister. He married his wife Jennifer Ford in 2003. They met at Belmont University, a private Christian university in Nashville, Tennessee, where they both attended school at the time. Jennifer travels with Josh when he is on tour, playing keyboards and singing background vocals. They have four sons together. [22]

Turner is a devout Christian. [23] "I don't believe God wants me to be a gospel singer," Turner said regarding his religion. "He just wants me to be a Christian singer. That's who I am, a Christian." [24]

On September 19, 2019, a tour bus carrying Turner's road crew crashed in California, killing one and injuring seven others. Turner was not on the bus. [25]

Discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

YearCategoryAssociationResult
2004Top New Artist Academy of Country Music Nominated
Breakthrough Video of the Year – "Long Black Train" CMT Music Awards Nominated
Horizon Award Country Music Association Awards Nominated
Song of the Year – "Long Black Train"Nominated
Song of the Year – "Long Black Train"Inspirational Country Music AwardsWon
Songwriter of the YearWon
Mainstream Country ArtistWon
2005Best New ArtistAcademy of Country MusicNominated
2006Song of the Year – "Me and God"Inspirational Country Music AwardsWon
Songwriter of the YearWon
Mainstream Country ArtistsWon
Horizon AwardCountry Music Association AwardsNominated
2007Male Vocalist of the YearNominated
Male Country Vocal Performance – "Would You Go With Me" Grammy Awards Nominated
Country Album of the Year – Your ManNominated
Single Record of the Year – "Would You Go with Me"Country Music Association AwardsNominated
Song of the Year – "Would You Go with Me"Nominated
Vocal Event of the Year – "Me and God" (with Ralph Stanley)Nominated
2024InductedSouth Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of FameWon

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhett Akins</span> American country singer-songwriter

Thomas Rhett Akins Sr. is an American country music singer and songwriter. Signed to Decca Records between 1994 and 1997, he released two albums for that label, followed by 1998's What Livin's All About on MCA Nashville. Friday Night in Dixie was released in 2002 on Audium Entertainment. Overall, his albums have accounted for fourteen singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs, including the number one "Don't Get Me Started" from 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Locklin</span> American country music singer-songwriter (1918–2009)

Hank Locklin was an American country music singer-songwriter. He had 70 chart singles, including two number one hits on Billboard's country chart. His biggest hits included "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On" and his signature "Please Help Me, I'm Falling". The latter also went to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. Billboard's 100th anniversary issue listed it as the second most successful country single of the rock and roll era. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeannie Seely</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1940)

Marilyn Jeanne Seely is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She also has several acting credits and published a book. Seely found success with the Grammy Award-winning hit "Don't Touch Me" (1966). The song reached the No.2 position on the Billboard country songs chart and is her highest-charting single as a solo artist. Her soul-inspired vocal delivery was praised by music professionals, who gave her the nickname of "Miss Country Soul". Seely is also known for her membership and presence on the Grand Ole Opry, having appeared more times on the program than any other performer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jan Howard</span> American country music singer (1929–2020)

Jan Howard was an American author, as well as a country music singer and songwriter. As a singer, she placed 30 singles on the Billboard country songs chart, was a Grand Ole Opry member and was nominated for several major awards. As a writer, she wrote poems and published an autobiography. She was married to country songwriter Harlan Howard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terri Clark</span> Canadian country music artist

Terri Lynn Sauson, known professionally as Terri Clark is a Canadian country music singer who has had success in both Canada and the United States. Signed to Mercury Records in 1995, she released her self-titled debut that year. Both it and its two follow-ups, 1996's Just the Same and 1998's How I Feel, were certified platinum in both countries, and produced several Top Ten country hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dierks Bentley</span> American country musician (born 1975)

Frederick Dierks Bentley is an American country music singer and songwriter. In 2003, he signed to Capitol Nashville and released his eponymous debut album. Both it and its follow-up, 2005's Modern Day Drifter, are certified Platinum in the United States, and his third album, 2006's Long Trip Alone, is certified Gold. It was followed in mid-2008 by a greatest hits package. His fourth album, Feel That Fire, was released in February 2009, and a bluegrass album, Up on the Ridge, was released on June 8, 2010. His sixth album, Home, followed in February 2012, as did a seventh one, Riser, in 2014. Bentley's eighth album, titled Black, was released in May 2016, and his ninth, The Mountain, was released in June 2018. His tenth studio album, Gravel & Gold, was released in February 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Wills</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1973)

Mark Wills is an American country music artist. Signed to Mercury Records between 1996 and 2003, he released five studio albums for the label – Mark Wills, Wish You Were Here, Permanently, Loving Every Minute, and And the Crowd Goes Wild – as well as a greatest hits package. In that same timespan, he charted sixteen singles on the Billboard country charts, all of which made the top 40. After leaving Mercury in 2003, he signed to Equity Music Group and charted three more singles. Two of these were later included on his sixth studio album, Familiar Stranger, which was released on the Tenacity label in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Morgan</span> American musical artist

Craig Morgan Greer is an American country music artist. A veteran of the United States Army as a forward observer and current member of the United States Army Reserve, Morgan began his musical career in 2000 on Atlantic Records, releasing his self-titled debut album for that label before the closure of its Nashville division in 2000. In 2002, Morgan signed to the independent Broken Bow Records, on which he released three studio albums: 2003's I Love It, 2005's My Kind of Livin', and 2006's Little Bit of Life. These produced several chart hits, including "That's What I Love About Sunday", which spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard country charts while also holding the No. 1 position on that year's Billboard Year-End chart for the country format. A greatest hits package followed in mid-2008 before Morgan signed to BNA Records and released That's Why later that same year. After exiting BNA, Morgan signed with Black River Entertainment and released This Ole Boy in 2012, followed by A Whole Lot More to Me in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Conlee</span> American country music singer

John Wayne Conlee is an American country music singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeanne Pruett</span> American singer-songwriter

Jeanne Pruett is an American country music singer and songwriter. She also has credits as a published author. Pruett had several major hits as a music artist, but became best-known for 1973's "Satin Sheets". The song topped the country music charts and helped her secure a membership in the Grand Ole Opry cast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Greene</span> American country music singer-songwriter (1930–2013)

Jack Henry Greene was an American country musician. Nicknamed the "Jolly Greene Giant" due to his height and deep voice, Greene was a long time member of the Grand Ole Opry. A three-time Grammy Award nominee, Greene is best known for his 1966 hit, "There Goes My Everything". The song dominated the country music charts for nearly two months in 1967 and earned Greene "Male Vocalist of the Year", "Single of the Year", "Album of the Year" and "Song of the Year" honors from the Country Music Association. Greene had a total of five No. 1 country hits and three others that reached the top ten. Billboard magazine named Greene one of the Top 100 "Most Played Artists".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Shepard</span> American country singer (1933–2016)

Jean Shepard was an American honky-tonk singer-songwriter who is often acknowledged as a pioneer for women in country music. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the Hot Country Songs chart, one of which reached the number-one spot. She recorded a total of 24 studio albums between 1956 and 1981, and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1955.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Turner discography</span>

Josh Turner is an American country music artist. His discography comprises nine studio albums and seventeen singles, all released on MCA Nashville. Turner's first three albums are all certified by the Recording Industry Association of America. His 2003 debut Long Black Train is certified platinum, 2006's Your Man is certified 2× Platinum, and 2007's Everything Is Fine is certified gold. Of his singles, the highest-charting are "Your Man", "Would You Go with Me", "Why Don't We Just Dance", and "All Over Me"—all of which reached number one on the US country singles charts. "Why Don't We Just Dance" is also his highest peak on the Billboard Hot 100, at 35. "Time Is Love" and "Long Black Train" are certified gold as singles, while "Your Man", "Would You Go with Me", "Why Don't We Just Dance" are certified platinum.

Dean Buffalini, known professionally as Dusty Drake, is an American country music artist. Drake played various venues in his native Pennsylvania for several years before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, co-writing a 1996 single for Joe Diffie. By 2003, Drake was signed to Warner Bros. Records as a recording artist. That year, he released three singles from his self-titled debut album, including "One Last Time", his first Top 40 entry on the Hot Country Songs chart. Drake released a fourth single for the label before exiting in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shannon Lawson</span> American singer-songwriter

Shannon Lee Lawson is an American country music artist and songwriter.

Ashton Delilah Shepherd is an American country music singer-songwriter. She was first signed to Universal Music Group Nashville's MCA Nashville division in April 2007. Her 2008 debut album Sounds So Good produced two top 40 hits on the Hot Country Songs charts: "Takin' Off This Pain" and the title track. In 2011, she released her second album, Where Country Grows, which includes the top 20 hit "Look It Up".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeannie Seely discography</span>

The discography of American country artist Jeannie Seely contains 16 studio albums, three compilation albums and 36 singles. Releasing several singles for the Challenge label, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee and signed with Monument Records in 1966. Releasing "Don't Touch Me" as a single, it became a major country hit, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It also became her only single to reach the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 85. The success led to the release of her debut studio album entitled The Seely Style, which reached number 8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

<i>Haywire</i> (Josh Turner album) 2010 studio album by Josh Turner

Haywire is the fourth studio album by American country music singer Josh Turner. It was released on February 9, 2010 via MCA Nashville and debuted at number five on the U.S. Billboard 200, and number two on the Top Country Albums, selling 85,000 copies. The album produced three singles, including the Number One hits "Why Don't We Just Dance" and "All Over Me." As with his previous three studio albums, Turner worked with producer Frank Rogers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wouldn't Be a Man</span>

"I Wouldn't Be a Man" is a song written by Mike Reid and Rory Bourke. Originally recorded by Don Williams, it has also been covered by Billy Dean and Josh Turner. Williams's version of the song was a Top Ten country hit in late 1987–early 1988, while versions by Dean and Turner also charted.

<i>Love...& Other Sad Stories</i> 1978 studio album by Bill Anderson

Love...& Other Sad Stories is a studio album by American country singer-songwriter Bill Anderson. It was released in 1978 on MCA Records and was produced by Buddy Killen. The album was Anderson's 28th studio recording in his career and was among his final MCA albums. The record included the song, "I Can't Wait Any Longer". Issued as a single, it became a major country hit and minor crossover hit in 1978. It was Anderson's biggest hit single in several years and relaunched his career as a country pop vocalist. The album itself would also receive reception from writers and would chart in music publications.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Josh Turner biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  2. ↑ Macmillan, Laura (3 June 2022). "11 of the Greatest and Most Famous Bass Singers of All Time". Hello Music Theory.
  3. ↑ "20 Questions With Josh Turner". CMT.com. 2004-01-27. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  4. ↑ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - September 24, 2015". Recording Industry Association of America . Archived from the original on 2015-09-24.
  5. ↑ "Dusty Drake". Archived from the original on 2006-11-23. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  6. ↑ "Country Hound - Josh Turner to Become Grand Ole Opry Member". Archived from the original on 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2007-09-30.
  7. ↑ "Josh Turner Goes Gold In March With Haywire". musicrow.com. 6 April 2017.
  8. ↑ "time-love"-available-itunes-tuesday-dec-20 "Debut Single "Time Is Love" Available at iTunes This Tuesday, Dec. 20" . Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  9. 1 2 Palisin, Steve (June 14, 2013). "Crooner Josh Turner back at Alabama Theatre in Myrtle Beach area". The Sun News .
  10. ↑ "Josh Turner 'Pushing Forward' With New Music After Delays". Tasteofcountry.com. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  11. ↑ "Josh Turner Talks 'Hometown Girl,' Upcoming Album". Sounds Like Nashville. 2016-09-16. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
  12. ↑ "Josh Turner rides country music train to Dover Downs". Delaware State News. 2016-04-21. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  13. ↑ "Josh Turner to 'Represent Hardworking People' With Upcoming Album". Sounds Like Nashville. 2017-01-29. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
  14. ↑ "Josh Turner - Chart history - Billboard". www.billboard.com.
  15. ↑ "Josh Turner - Chart history - Billboard". www.billboard.com.
  16. ↑ "Josh Turner Reaches the Top of the Singles Chart for the First Time in Six Years With "Hometown Girl"". nashcountrydaily.com. 24 April 2017.
  17. ↑ "Hear Josh Turner's New Single, 'All About You'". The Boot.
  18. ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "I Serve a Savior - Josh Turner". Allmusic. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  19. ↑ Madison Roberts (October 26, 2018). "Josh Turner Releases Gospel Album I Serve a Savior (Featuring a Song His Wife and Son Wrote!)". People.com. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  20. ↑ Madison Hahnen (April 23, 2024). "Josh Turner Extends Deal With MCA Nashville". Music Row. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Sony Music Nashville |". Aristanashville.com. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  22. ↑ "Josh Turner Welcomes Son Samuel Hawke". People.com. 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  23. ↑ Josh Turner /. "Josh". Josh Turner. Archived from the original on 2015-07-21. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
  24. ↑ "Josh Turner - I Am Second". Iamsecond.com. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  25. ↑ Adrian Mojica (2019-09-19). "Bus carrying road crew for country artist Josh Turner drove off cliff, ejected two people". KOMO. Retrieved 2019-09-20.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.