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.”

Continue Reading

ShareThis

Josh Turner poses with dancers Ciaran McCarthy and Ashley Anderson (who are married in real life) from his new video, “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” which makes its world premiere on GAC’s "Monday Music Mania" on October 5 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

When he was a youngster, Josh Turner had some enunciation problems. He’d perform shows for his family, borrowing the name of an established artist he simply couldn’t pronounce properly, Kidney Rogers.

Hannah, S.C., is a long way from country music’s capital, but even then, Josh knew it was his destination.

“My dream was to go to Nashville,” Josh says. “I didn’t know how and I didn’t know when I was going to get there, but my dream was to be here.”

Josh’s rise from “Kidney Rogers” to multi-platinum star is dissected in Origins: Josh Turner, a GAC special that connects the dots between his farm-town beginnings to his current stardom. Grandparents from each side of his family influenced his musical ambitions. And his journey through Nashville’s Belmont University plays an important role in the story.

In addition to conversations with Josh and his family, the special features an acoustic concert with performances of “Long Black Train” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” which reached the Top 15 this week among country singles on the USA Today Mediabase chart.

The show is well timed, leading up to the release of his new album, Haywire. Two versions of the CD reach stores Feb. 9: a standard, 11-song release; and a deluxe edition offering two live tracks, the “Why Don’t We Just Dance” video and footage of an interview about the disc’s songs.

Origins: Josh Turner debuts Thursday on GAC at 8 p.m. ET.

ShareThis