www.stillisstillmoving.com

 
Photo/Mark Humphrey 

Josh Turner was invited to pay tribute to Willie Nelson on November 6th, at the BMI Award show in Nashville when Willie was presented with the BMI Icon award.  I can’t imagine what that was like for Josh, singing that song with Willie sitting in the audience. 

www.cmt.com said:

Josh Turner came up next. “I never dreamed I’d have Kris Kristofferson and Keith Urban as my opening acts,” he joked.

Looking out at Nelson seated in the audience, Turner said his wife had once asked him if there were any stars he hadn’t met but still wanted to, and he had told her Faith Hill and Willie Nelson. “Well,” he continued, “I’ve met Faith Hill. I have yet to meet Willie. So after I stumble my way through his song, I’d love to have my picture [taken] with you.” Then the deep-voiced singer rumbled through a crowd-pleasing rendition of “Crazy.” 

Performing at the BMI show was just another event in a very busy year for Turner.  He is the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, with his induction last October, he was nominated for CMA Male Vocalist of the year, recently completed  a 10-city tour with Sara Evans, and his new album, ‘Everything is Fine’ was released last October. 

I hear ‘Firecracker’ a lot on the radio here in Colorado, and I understand why it gets so much air play.  I like it, it’s a rocker, you can dance to it, and I give it a 10.  But when you listen to the deeper cuts on that cd, his beautiful baritone voice pulls you along, as he tells familiar stories about trucks, and fishing, mama and papa, and the dog. 

The title track is so positive and upbeat, and it’s got a comforting banjo and fiddle in there to make sure you feel really good. But there is heartache with all the happiness, and the sad ballad ‘Another Try,’ is very touching.  Trisha Yearwood joins him on this song, and her haunting harmony is a nice contribution.

“The reasons I’m alone, I know by heart. 
But I don’t want to spend forever in the dark. 
I swear, next time I’ll hang on for dear life. 
If love ever gives me another try.”

Turner said he grew up listening to his grandparents records, and when you listen to the album, you can feel that influence.  But he does a good job of keeping it fresh with his own style.  Some titles are just good, too, like ‘Trailerhood’:  ‘Turn your trucks south off 31, where the backwood boys get ‘er done, it’s a single-wide party but it’s back in the woods, way down in the trailerhood. Or how about the romantic title, ‘The longer the waiting, the sweeter the kiss,’ 

Turner’s debut album, Long Black Train sold more than a million copies, and his second album Your Man is certified couble platinum.  He has been asked again to host America’s Grand Ole Opry Weekend Year-End Special, a 4-hour special which will air on Christmas and New Year’s weekends.  You can sample his music and learn more about him at www.JoshTurner.com.

1. Everything is Fine
2. Firecracker
3. Another Try
4. So Not My Baby
5. Trailerhood
6. Baby, I go Crazy
7. Nowhere Fast
8. The Longer the Waiting (the sweeter the kiss)
9. One Woman Man
10. Soulmate
11. The Way He was Raised
12. South Carolina Low Country

This entry was posted on Monday, December 17th, 2007 at 10:34 pm and is filed under Awards and Honors, Other Artists, Photographs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.