Josh Turner: This Country Music Thing Tour

Twenty-plus years after a truly epic debut, “this country music thing” MCA Nashville recording artist Josh Turner does is still as clear and consistent as ever. A rock-solid dedication to traditional roots. An unshakable focus on craftsman quality. A once-in-a-generation vocalist, with a rumbling bass that never falters. But as the South Carolina native knows, “consistent” has never meant “static.”

Turner has seen the trends come and go and soldiered through the ups and downs of an often fickle business. He’s stayed true to himself – even as the ground beneath him shifted – and now, he’s in the sweet spot of creative confidence. With his 10th studio album, Turner keeps doing This Country Music Thing like only he can – and it’s still important work.

“This is who I am. This is who I was born to be – it’s something that feeds me and fulfills me, and I’ve never lost my love for this,” Turner says. “When I first started, my goal was to just be myself and sing songs that meant something to me. To keep the tradition of country alive, but at the same time, make it fresh, make it new. I feel like it gets more challenging over time, but at the end of the day, it’s worth it.”

Born in The Palmetto State and raised on both faith and country music, Turner has met that challenge like few have. Since his stunning introduction on the Grand Ole Opry stage in 2001 (where fans demanded an encore from the unknown artist, who had just boarded a “Long Black Train” to fame), he’s channeled the spirit of classic country, gospel and Appalachian roots into an instantly recognizable brand, with a purposeful mix of modern-timeless appeal.

A beloved Opry cast member, he’s sold over 6 million albums – including his Platinum-certified Long Black Train breakout, and the 3X Platinum Your Man after that. Likewise, Turner’s 5 billion career streams and five Number Ones helped drive 15 RIAA certifications – often pairing his steady sound with a through-line of romantic dedication. Yet every few years another trend would spark to life … and like clockwork, Turner would stay his course. This Country Music Thing finds him on the same heading and feeling no less excited about the destination.

“I’m proud of this record,” Turner says. “There’s a very fine line between pushing the envelope and actually changing what the style of country music is. You can’t lose the heart of it, you can’t lose the culture, and I’ve always been a student of country music, so I kind of know where that line is. It’s kind of like I’m the captain of the ship – I just have to make sure we’re heading in the right direction.”

This Country Music Thing features 11 new tracks. Three feature Turner as a writer, and two were even penned solo as a gifted singer-songwriter continues honing his message. Others were sourced from a mix of longtime hitmakers who know Turner’s style, and new voices who help convey a different aspect of the man behind the mic, bringing fresh energy to familiar themes like all-consuming attraction, down-home pride, and deep gratitude. Comfortable in its own country skin, the sound follows suit, with long-serving producer Kenny Greenberg remaining true to Turner’s past for a richly textured, organic foundation. But there’s a bit of outlaw in there, too. Pairing the hard twang of woozy telecasters with driving rhythms, prominent fiddle-and-steel licks and saloon-style piano, the vibrant mix is still led by Turner’s cavernous vocal – a showcase not just of the depths it can sink to, but also its dynamic, road-tested grit.