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by Teresa Lockhart Josh Turner fans have gone haywire over his single “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” sending it to the top of the charts and making it the first No. 1 hit from his appropriately titled new album Haywire. The playful song is just one of several upbeat tunes on the CD that allow the soulful baritone to use his country music platform to send a positive message to a world “gone crazy” with bad news. Instead of focusing on the tension and tragedy, Turner gives a green light to having a little fun. “That’s what this record’s all about,” he said in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly. The album features 11 cuts, each one a glimpse of a different Josh Turner personality trait. Having released in early February, the record hit the shelves just in time for Valentine’s Day, a perfect gift for music fans looking for real love songs. Turner’s fans are a vital part of his career, and the effort he puts into each album reflects the love and appreciation he has for them. “The fans are the ones who request the songs, buy the records, and come to the shows,” Turner tells Living Light News. “They’re the ones we do this for night after night.”
In addition to the romantic love between a man and woman, the album also includes a song about a father’s love. Penned by Phillip White and Steven Dale, the song “I’ll Be There” features moving lyrics such as, “When you need a coach or you need a fan/ Need a castle built out of ocean sand/ Or a rainbow chaser, I’m your man/ I’ll be there.” While they were in the studio, keyboardist Gordon Mote suggested changing the song’s arrangement so that the music fades away, leaving Turner singing along with the piano as the song builds to the line “Need a daddy or you just need a friend.” The father of two sons, Hampton, three years, and Colby, seven months, Turner became so choked up that the words wouldn’t come out. “That was the first time the father in me really came through on a song, and I didn’t even see it coming,” Turner says. “It just happened naturally.” Not surprisingly, Turner also includes a song, titled “The Answer,” which explores his love for Jesus Christ. Even as a budding artist, Turner was never afraid to sing about his faith. In December 2001, Turner took the Grand Ole Opry stage as an unknown, belting out his self-penned “Long Black Train,” a song about fighting back temptation and focusing on Jesus. The audience was so impressed by his talent that they gave him a standing ovation. The story has since become an Opry legend.
Turner’s relationship with Jesus dates back to his childhood days. He grew up in a Christian home and went to church regularly. His grandparents gave him a Bible story book called The Book, and he learned about Jesus. “I asked Him into my heart and have included Him in everything I’ve ever done,” Turner says. “My faith plays a huge role in what I do for a living. Most every decision I make is prayed about.” So far Turner’s decisions have led to sales of more than 4 million albums and two multi-week No. 1 songs, “Your Man” and “Would You Go with Me.” Turner is also one of the youngest artists to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on Oct. 27, 2007, by Vince Gill. He has also recorded a CMT special with Randy Travis, his musical hero, and just recently appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. He continues to be an in-demand touring act. But these achievements are just “icing on the cake.” “My biggest goal in life when I was growing up was to find the right woman to marry and to get a record deal,” Turner says. “I’ve accomplished both of those, so regardless of what happens beyond that, I’m happy.” He never takes for granted being able to go out on the road to make a living doing what he loves to do. He encourages others to follow their dreams too but adds a few pointers. “Don’t compromise who you really are because lots of times the best thing you have to offer is yourself because of your uniqueness.” Turner keeps his priorities in focus by surrounding himself with level-headed, good-hearted people who share his beliefs, goals, and purpose. This is important because in the last year even his own life has been a little crazy — but in a good way. “Haywire seemed like a very relevant title for this album because 2009 was haywire for me in a lot of ways,” Turner says. “We were settling into a new house, I was working on a record, our second child was born in June, and I was having a writer’s cottage built on our property, not to mention touring and all the business stuff I was doing.” “I just really believe that this is what the Lord put me on this earth to do,” Turner told Entertainment Weekly. “He gave me this voice and this talent for a reason, and I’m using it for Him. There never was a Plan B.” photo by George Holz [LLN-Online] [Adopt-a-Block] [Newsbriefs]
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One thing fans won’t find on any of Turner’s albums is a song about cheating. Having been a country music fan from an early age, Turner grew up on the genre’s traditional cheating songs. But being happily married to his wife Jennifer since 2003, he has a problem with recording songs that morally reflect the opposite of the man he wants to be. 