Josh Turner

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. 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.

2012–2017: Punching Bag and Deep South

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. The song reached No. 2 but finished the year as the No. 1 country song of 2012 according to Billboard. 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. The second single, "Hometown Girl", was released to radio on May 31, 2016. 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. Deep South scored Turner his third No. 1 album on the US Top Country Album's Chart upon its release. Turner's second single, "Hometown Girl", from Deep South peaked at No. 2 on Billboard Country Airplay Chart and at No. 1 on the Mediabase chart, which made it Turner's fifth No. 1 single. Turner's third single, "All About You", written by Craig Wiseman and Justin Weaver, was released on May 15, 2017.

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 released on October 26, 2018. It consists of a collection of mostly gospel standards with a few original songs, including the 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".

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. Turner's tenth studio album, This Country Music Thing, was released on August 16, 2024.

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.

Personal life Turner married Jennifer Ford, in 2003. They met as students of Belmont University. Jennifer travels with Josh when he is on tour, playing keyboards and singing background vocals. They have four sons.

Turner is a devout Christian. "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."

Discography

Studio albums Long Black Train (2003) Your Man (2006) Everything Is Fine (2007) Haywire (2010) Punching Bag (2012) Deep South (2017) I Serve a Savior (2018) Country State of Mind (2020) King Size Manger (2021) This Country Music Thing (2024)

Awards and nominations

Year Category Association Result 2004 Top New Artist Academy of Country Music Breakthrough Video of the Year – "Long Black Train" CMT Music Awards Horizon Award Country Music Association Awards Song of the Year – "Long Black Train" Song of the Year – "Long Black Train" Inspirational Country Music Awards Songwriter of the Year Mainstream Country Artist 2005 Best New Artist Academy of Country Music 2006 Song of the Year – "Me and God" Inspirational Country Music Awards Songwriter of the Year Mainstream Country Artists Horizon Award Country Music Association Awards 2007 Male Vocalist of the Year Male Country Vocal Performance – "Would You Go With Me" Grammy Awards Country Album of the Year – Your Man Single Record of the Year – "Would You Go with Me" Country Music Association Awards Song of the Year – "Would You Go with Me" Vocal Event of the Year – "Me and God" 2024 Inducted South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame