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.
“It's funny because when I was growing up, I always gravitated toward records from older, more-experienced artists where you could hear their life coming through their voice,” he explains. “That’s what I’m starting to hear with myself, and I think that’s a good place to be.”
To Turner, the title track serves as the album’s creative hub – a solo-written tribute to his career and state of mind. Like an autobiography, it spells out his whole story from early ambition and reverence for the craft, to his continued success and appreciation for the fans who make it so. With a booming “low-country sound” and classic honky-tonk stomp, it also allows Turner a bit of a victory lap, highlighting his status with some uncharacteristic (but well-earned) swagger. To Greenberg, that singled the track out as a sweet-spot anthem.
“This is case-in-point as to how songs always dictate what the record’s going to be,” Turner explains. “I usually try to approach things with some humility, but this song’s a little braggadocious – and I think that was what actually attracted [Kenny] to it. … It’s kind of like a rap song where you’re bragging about everything you’ve done.” [Laughs]
Still, “This Country Music Thing” is very much a statement of Turner’s humble dedication, and he spent long hours on a special ending to prove it. With the band vamping on a classic Country & Western vibe, Turner weaves together iconic hooks from tracks like Randy Travis’ “Diggin’ Up Bones,” John Anderson’s “Seminole Wind,” Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” and more, providing a direct link to the past, and a spiritual high important to the context of Turner’s career.
“It’s my heroes and my influences – they inspired me to chase this dream and pursue my passion,” he explains. “This is the life I’ve been living for a long time now, and even before I got a record deal, this is what I’ve been dreaming of. It’s who I am through and through … and everybody I’ve played it for has hit the roof.”
Elsewhere, “Down In Georgia” starts the record with a feel-good declaration of Southern comfort. Written by Tyler Booth, Anthony Olympia and Brent Rupard, the tune highlights Turner’s rumbling vocal right off the rip, and serves as a prime example of new voices pulling something fresh from the star. “I think they’ve been reading my mail, because I married a girl from Georgia and we actually moved to Georgia last year,” he says with a laugh.
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