Country star & Opry member Josh Turner/George Holz

 With the release of his latest CD less than a week away, country singer and Grand Ole Opry member Josh Turner recently took time to take part in the latest round of Rapid Fire 20 Q.  During our chat, we talked about everything from family and faith to musical inspiration and of course his upcoming Haywire CD.

Jonathan Pinkerton:  Your fourth studio album, Haywire is due in stores Feb. 9. While you've averaged about two years between releases, I understand the actual studio and production time on this one went pretty fast.  Was it a case of "this material is so good, let's do it now"? 

JOSH TURNER:  Yeah, I guess you could say that.  We heard "Why Don't We Just Dance" and then we found “Loving You On My Mind” and then I think we found “Your Smile.”  We got really excited about getting the ball rolling and it took 8 months from start to finish. 

JP:  Your first hit, 2003's Long Black Train brought you to the forefront of country music, in part because of your rich, booming vocal style.  One of the first things I noticed while listening to this project is that it really showcases your vocal range by featuring songs that are in stark contrast to your-now trademark heavy baritone vocals. Was including songs that spotlight your range a conscious effort?

JOSH TURNER:  I chose songs that I felt were timeless and I felt strongly about.  Songs that had energy.  It just so happened that the bulk of the album required a lot vocally and I think it added to the energy of the record. 

JP:  Like your three previous albums, Haywire features several songs that you either wrote or co-wrote.  Among them, the title track, As Fast As I Could, Eye Candy, Friday Paycheck and The Answer.  These songs range in subject matter from flirtation and relationships to obligation and salvation.  We've often heard tales of songwriters being inspired any place and any time, jotting down ideas on cocktail napkins, receipts and such.  Where's the oddest place you've been inspired with a song idea?

JOSH TURNER:  Well… that would in the shower. LOL.  The song was “Firecracker."  I’ve been inspired in a movie theatre, but the rest of the places are pretty normal.  

JP:  Speaking of inspirational places, you hold the honor of being the youngest man to be asked to join the exclusive ranks of The Grand Ole Opry.  When you were growing up singing in the church choir back in South Carolina, did you ever dream you'd be a part of what is affectionately called country music's Mother Church?

JOSH TURNER:  No,  I didn’t really have any memories growing up of listening to the Opry.   I knew what it was and I was familiar with it,  but I had never been.  I didn’t really fully understand the Opry until I moved to Nashville.  I started listening to it every weekend and fell head over heels.  That was something we tried to accomplish early on in my career, for me to perform on the Opry. 

JP:  Some detractors voiced a little opposition to you being inducted at such a young age.  How do you respond to that type of criticism? 

JOSH TURNER:  I  actually wasn’t aware of any negative critism. I  do realize I was inducted at an early age and I knew it was a huge responsiblitiy.  My goal is to uphold the traditions of the Opry and country music.  

Josh's 4th CD, Haywire in stores February 9

JP:  Your faith is obviously key to your life and music, having followed up your duties in the church choir by forming the gospel quartet Thankful Hearts.  You always include a track or two that seem faith-based.  How do you deal with any resistance from those on the business end during song selection? 

JOSH TURNER:  I have not had any resistance to that. I know I have a big part of my fan base that wants to hear those kinds of songs.  And that’s who I am.  It’s reflective of me.  I cannot not sing about that.  If my fans want to hear my heart that is a part of it. 

JP:  On the subject of songs with a strong message of faith, your debut CD, Long Black Train included the Top 20 hit, Me and God, on which you sang with the legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley.  What was that experience like? 

JOSH TURNER:  It was a dream come true.  It was my way of coming full circle in my music and my life.  Some of the first music I ever heard were  the Stanley brothers at my Granny’s house.   To be able to have him come in and sing on my record was such an honor and I know Granny would be proud. 

 JP:  You've also duetted with John Anderson and Trisha Yearwood.  Your associate with legendary country artists hasn't been limited to duets.  Heck, you've even sung about Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton on one of my personal favorites, Loretta Lynn's Lincoln from your 2006 Your Man .  Are there any artists on your "duet bucket list"? 

JOSH TURNER:  Randy Travis!  

JP:  I guess none of them compare to your real life duet partner, your wife Jennifer. She quite frequently goes on the road with you, playing keyboards and singing background vocals.  In the tradition of George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash and June Carter, even Clint Black and his wife Lisa Hartman Black, have you guys ever discussed recording a full-on duet?

JOSH TURNER:  We have discussed it, but we don’t feel like it’s the right time to do a duet.   Plus, she doesn’t want to be in the spotlight.  

JP:  During the selection process for tracks to include on new projects, does Jennifer get to hear potential songs? 

JOSH TURNER:  Yes.  She will tell me what she likes and she doesn’t like. She knows it's not going to influence me one way or the other.  But I like to know what she thinks. 

JP:  From what I know about you, family is another major part of who you are, both as an artist and a man.  The song I'll Be There, written by Phillip White and Steven Dale Jones, with lyrics that include "I'll be a monster runner-offer" and "A story maker-upper," it's a song that speak to everyone, whether they see themselves in the role of the child or the parent.  It is simply beautiful.  I can't wait to play it for my own father. When you heard it, was it one of those songs you just had to record? 

JOSH TURNER:  First of all, thank you.   Yes and no.  When I heard it I knew it was a great song.  We put it on hold, but then I started wondering if it was the right song for this album so I let it go.  Then my producer Frank Rogers brought it back around and asked me to reconsider.  After looking at what we had recorded upto that point it seemed like a good fit and definitely something I can relate to as a parent. 

JP:  What is your favorite song on Haywire?

JOSH TURNER:  I would say “The Answer.”  I was not there the day the choir was recorded but I had gotten that idea the day after we cut the tracks.   

Josh plays the Opry Friday, Feb. 5/George Holz

JP:  Touching on faith again, in 2008, you were among the cast of the Robby Benson directed film, Billy: The Early Years, which explored the beginnings of evangelist Billy Graham.  In the film, you played George Beverly Shea.  I'm going to resist asking what it was like working alongside one of my childhood TV crushes, Lindsay Wagner and instead ask how daunting was it to not only be portraying such a legendary man, but to transition from singer to actor? 

JOSH TURNER:  It was a good challenge for me.  It wasn't overwhelming mainly because it was a small part and there was more singing involved than acting.  I have never met George in person,  but I have talked to him on the phone.  For me, playing that part was a labor of love. 

JP:  The film's soundtrack included your version of the classic hymnal, Almost Persuaded.  Which bring to mind this question.  What's your all-time favorite spiritual hymn?  

JOSH TURNER:  It's a song called "Without Him."   I quoted a line or two from it in the Long Black Train  liner notes.  It's one of those songs that I have been singing for a long time.  It's deeply personal and a song I have turned to as a source of strength.  

JP:  Why Don't We Just Dance is both the first single and lead track from Haywire.  The song is currently #4 on the Billboard Country Songs chart. It is another of the songs on the new project that slightly veers away from Long Black Train's more serious tone.  Is this a new side of Josh Turner, or just one the general audience might not be as familiar with thus far?  

JOSH TURNER:  I think all of my albums have been a mixture.  You might have a gospel feeling song or a intense love song, but then you have a song like "Firecracker" or "Your Man" or "Eyecandy" which is on the new album.    

JP:  As I mentioned on the front-end of this interview, Haywire hits stores Feb. 9.  I understand there are two versions.  A standard version and a Deluxe Edition.  What will fans find on the Deluxe version that isn't included on the standard one?

JOSH TURNER:  Good stuff if I do say so myself.  LOL.  We included a previously unreleased song from the Long Black Train sessions called "Lets Find A Church" and a new song we recorded for this project called "This Kind Of Love."  You also live versions of "Long Black Train" and "Your Man" and exclusive footage from the studio and me talking about the songs on Haywire. 

JP:  With the new album nearly here, can we expect to see you return to the stage at the Grand Ole Opry?

JOSH TURNER:  Yes.  I will be there tomorrow night, Friday, February 5th.

JP:  Will you be touring to support Haywire? 

JOSH TURNER:  Yes.   I will be out west for most of February into early March.  We are rehearsing for the new tour next week.   

JP:  Any insider scoop on what the next single will be? 

JOSH TURNER:  Not yet.   Sorry!  

JP:  Well my time is almost up, so one last question....with the release of Haywire and the upcoming tour dates, are you going to be able to work in any time to hunt or fish??   

JOSH TURNER:  Yes, that is definately my plan, but you never know what the year will hold... but I plan to!  

To pre-order Josh's upcoming CD Haywire or for more information on upcoming tour dates, CLICK HERE.  While you're there, enter to win a guitar autographed by Josh himself.  

To coincide with his album release, Josh has been named GAC's Artist of the Month.  You can catch Josh on GAC this week as he stops the studio to chat with Top 20 Country Countdown host Nan Kelly.  GAC's Countdown debuts Friday, February 5 at 8/7c, with replays throughout the weekend.  

As he mentioned during our Rapid Fire session, Josh will be playing The Grand Ole Opry Friday, February 5.  For ticket information, CLICK HERE.

Then it's back to GAC on release day, Tuesday, February 9 at  1/12c when he chats with On The Streets' host Suzanne Alexander.  GAC will also feature special encore airings of Origins: Josh Turner thought out the remainder of the month. 

Be sure and subscribe to my column by clicking the SUBSCRIBE tab located at the top of this page between the headline and the article itself so you don't miss my upcoming review of Josh's latest CD, Haywire.