Josh Turner photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

Josh Turner earned the first hit of his career with the gospel-themed “Long Black Train,” which got him a standing ovation when he sang it in his first performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Now it’s gotten a stamp of approval from the Country Music Hall of Fame, which included “Long Black Train” in an album of songs with Christian subject matter.

“I’ve always said that that song was meant to be, and I just feel like a vessel that the Lord used for that song to get here,” Josh says. “John Anderson, he told me that that song is gonna be around after I’m dead and gone. That’s a song that I’m gonna be singin’ for the rest of my life, and he’s right about it. And I’m OK with that.”

“Long Black Train” is the first track on the Hall of Fame album Sunday In The Country, which also features music by Keith Urban, George Strait, Lee Ann Womack and Martina McBride, among others.

Being on a Hall of Fame album is a good start for Josh, but he hopes eventually to have his own bronze plaque in the museum’s rotunda.

“My ultimate goal in this business is to be a member of that institution,” he says. “I have 13 years until I’m eligible, so I’m gonna be workin’ hard between now and then. So just get used to me bein’ around. I love the Hall of Fame. I don’t think it’s just a Hall of Fame and it’s not just a museum. I think it’s a place where people from all across the world can come and learn about this great genre.”

The Hall of Fame was hit by the Nashville flood four months ago, and one part of the building — the Ford Theater — will be closed until August. But the exhibits were untouched, and the Hall reopened for business after just four days. Across the Cumberland River, LP Field was also flooded, though it’ll be ready for fans at next week’s CMA Music Festival, June 10-13. Josh will play the stadium, as will Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum, among many others.

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