PLATINUM PROFILE: JOSH TURNER

Joshua Otis "Josh" Turner (born November 20, 1977) is an American country msic artist. Signed to MCA Nasville Records in 2003, Josh released his platinum certified debut album Long Black Train that year. This album produced a #13 in its title track. In 2005, Turner charted his first two Number One singles on the Billboard country charts: "Your Man" and "Would You Go With Me", both from his Your Man album, which has been certified 2× Multi-Platinum in the United States. This album also produced the #16-peaking "Me And God", a duet with bluegrass musician Ralph Stanley.. Turner's third studio album, titled Everything is Fine, was released in October 2007. It produced the #2 hit "Firecracker", the #15 "Another Try" (a duet with TRISHA YEARWOOD) and a Top 20 in its TITLE TRACK. Overall, Turner's three albums have all been certified gold or higher by the RIAA, and nine of his singles have charted on the Billboard country charts. Early in his life, Josh Turner sang lead and bass parts in his church choir. He also formed a gospel quartet called Thankful Hearts in which he sang bass and occasionally lead. After attending school at Hannah-Pamplico High School in Florence County, SC. Turner attended nearby Francis Marion University. Josh Turner is also a devout Christian. In 1996, Turner developed a lesion on his right vocal cord. Surgery was not needed, but he did have to rest his voice for a year. Turner states that he "learned how to whistle really well during that year. Turner was examined by the Vanderbilt voice clinic who advised him to let it heal on his own. While Turner rested his voice back at home, he learned classical vocal techniques and how to take care of his voice and avoid developing further problems. Shortly afterwards, Turner moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music and attend Belmont Univeresity. There he-- Turner went through a classical training vocal program.While there, he also met Jennifer, whom he married in 2003, prior to the release of his album. Jennifer also plays piano and sings background vocals in Turner's road band. The Turners had a child, Hampton Otis Turner, on October 6, 2006,They are expecting their 2nd child sometime in Summer 2009 On December 21, 2001, Turner debuted on the GRAN OLE OPRY with a song he had written himself, "Long Black Train." In 2003, Turner released his debut album, also entitled "Long Black Train". Prior to its release, Turner had released 7" vinyl singles of "She'll Go on You" and "Long Black Train." Both singles featured Long Black Train album track "Backwoods Boy" as a B-side. While neither "Backwoods Boy" nor "She'll Go on You" were successful (the latter peaking at #46 on the country charts), "Long Black Train" spent more than forty weeks on the Billboard country charts, reaching a peak of #13 and receiving a gold certification. The third single, "What It Ain't", was less successful, reaching #31. In early 2006, Turner released his second album, Your Man. The album's first single and title track, "Your Man", was co-written by Jace Everett and released in late 2005. "Your Man" also climbed the charts slowly, eventually reaching #1 in early 2006. Your Man was certified GOLD by the RIAA four weeks after its release, and later went PLATINUM six months later. "Would You Go With Me" was the second single released from Your Man. Like the album's title track, "Would You Go with Me" also reached the top of the country singles charts, holding that position for two weeks; it also reached #48 on the BILLBOARD 100. Turner also performed it on the CMA AWARDS in November 2006. Shortly after the album's release, a song called "Me and God" was released as a single to CHRISTIAN RADIO. A duet bluegrass musician RALPH STANLEY, the song also featured members of the band DIAMOND RIO on background vocals. "Me and God" reached a peak of #16 on the country charts. In December 2006, the 49th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS nominations were announced. Turner received nods for BEST MALE COUNTRY PERFROMANCE and for BEST COUNTRY ALBUM. That same month, featurette on CMT Insider showed Turner in the studio working on the album. He mentioned that he wanted it to sound like music in the 1700s and 1800s. Turner performed at the Ryman Auditorium where a live album was recorded, singing a song called, "Church in the Holler." Turner's album Josh Turner: Live At The Ryman was recorded in April and is available exclusively through CRACKER BARRELL restaurants. Turner, along with veteran songwriters BRETT JAMES.(9I HAVE HIS 1ST ALBUM!!)) and dON SCHITLTZ, wrote a song entitled "Say Yes"; recorded and released by singer DUSTY DRAKE in 2007, the song was a minor Top 40 country hit for Drake, peaking at #36. On September 29, 2007, while giving an award to ROY CLARK on Clark's 20th anniversary on the Grand Ole Opry, Josh was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was inducted by VINCE GILL on October 27, 2007. Turner plays George Beverly Shea in the film titled Billy, The Early Years, the film is a biopic of the evangelist Billy Graham. George Beverly Shea led the music on many of Graham's crusades. This platinum country artist was nominated for a many award so far in his career. 2007~He was nominated for "Would You Go With Me." Nominated also that year for Country album of the year with Your Man. He was nominated in 2004 for Horizon Award and Song of the Year. 2006--He was nominated for the Horizon Award, 2007 also fpr the Male Vocalst of the year. His ACM Awards he was nominated in 2004 Top New Artist. In 2005, he was nominated for this again. 2007~ He was nominated for Vocal Event with, "Me and God" guest--Raplh Stanley. CMT Music Awards--2004 Breakthrough Video Of the year--"Long Black Train". He was nominated this award also. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm................. He shoulda' won!! INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS-HE WON FOR SONG OF THE YEAR--"LONG BLACK TRAIN" and Songwriter of the Year. Plus Mainstream Country Artist in 2006 What a platinum performer!! Have a great weekend, Sweetpea-Honeybun Fans!! sweetpea