Josh Turner. Photo: David McClister
When Josh Turner broke through in 2003 with his Platinum-certified hit “Long Black Train,” his rumbling baritone and haunting story of temptation and moral complexity drew immediate comparisons to two of Turner’s longtime heroes, Randy Travis and Johnny Cash. A few years before, in December 2001, he had performed the song onstage at the Ryman Auditorium, earning two standing ovations and a call for an encore—a moment that harkened back to Hank Williams, Sr.’s own Ryman debut in 1949, when Williams earned an electrifying six standing ovations from the crowd. The moment seems fitting, given that Turner was inspired to write “Long Black Train” while poring over a collection of rare Hank Williams, Sr. recordings one night at Belmont University’s music library.
In the years that have followed, in addition to earning radio hits such as the multi-Platinum, No. 1 singles “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” and “Would You Go With Me,” Turner has consistently pointed listeners to the artists who have inspired him—he welcomed Ralph Stanley and John Anderson on his 2x Platinum sophomore album Your Man, and followed in country music’s lengthy lineage of Gospel albums, such as Alan Jackson’s Precious Memories or Travis’ series of Gospel projects, when Turner released 2018’s I Serve A Savior (which started with a rendition of the Hank Sr. classic “I Saw The Light”).
On Turner’s eighth full-length project, Country State of Mind, out today via MCA Nashville, he’s carrying on another old country tradition, that of passing down songs that influenced him to a new generation of listeners, similar to albums such as Jackson’s Under The Influence, Travis’ two Influence albums, or even Cash’s American IV: The Man Comes Around. Here, Turner welcomes his heroes and friends, to help him pay tribute to an array of influences, including those he considers part of his “Mount Rushmore” of country music: Cash, Travis, John Anderson, Vern Gosdin and Hank Williams, Sr..
The first song Turner knew he had to include on the project was Gosdin’s “I Can Tell By The Way You Dance.”
“I’ve always loved that song and I’ve played it live in years past and it always felt like the song had a timeless quality to it,” he says, “but that it was bogged down in the ‘80s production so that was the first song we went after.”
Though the album features several of Turner’s musical friends and idols, including Kris Kristofferson joining on his 1973 signature “Why Me,” (Turner counts Kristofferson’s The Austin Sessions among his favorite albums) or Anderson to reprise his 1993 hit “I’ve Got It Made,” Turner didn’t intend for the album to be a duets record.
“This record did not start out as being a collaboration project. It was going to strictly just be me doing the classics, but it quickly turned into me bringing in these guests and it just made sense, so it’s a covers record and duet record.”
He welcomed Chris Janson for a cover of Hank Williams, Jr.’s “Country State of Mind” after he and Janson performed an impromptu collaboration on the song during a radio show in Augusta, Georgia a few years ago.
“Chris and I were sitting right beside each other onstage and he starts singing a song and he stops it halfway through and started singing that, and I was like, ‘Really?!’” Turner recalls.
“And in those settings, it’s not very professional for an artist to start chiming in or playing while somebody else is playing, and I’ve always been very respectful about that, unless somebody asks me to. But I couldn’t help myself when he started singing that one, I just started singing that high harmony part and he looked over at me and was like, ‘Keep going!’ The fans just loved seeing us sing it together so when this record came about I thought, ‘We need to do this for real on record.’ And it turned out great.”
When it was recently revealed that Hank Williams, Jr. will soon be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Josh Turner was among the country music fans cheering at the news.
“I was like, ‘It’s about dang time.’ I think it’s well-deserved. He’s an incredible writer and artist. He’s an icon and he’s inspired a lot of young artists. I think every young guy artist goes through a Hank Williams, Jr. phase. Even after all these years, I think I’m still going through mine,” Turner says.
Elsewhere on the album, he covers Keith Whitley’s “I’m No Stranger To The Rain,” and “Good Ol’ Boys,” the Dukes of Hazzard theme song made popular by Waylon Jennings, as well as Alan Jackson’s ode to Hank Williams, Sr., “Midnight In Montgomery,” from Jackson’s 1991 sophomore album Don’t Rock The Jukebox.
“That whole record is just incredible to me, but that song was such a piece of art to me as a young boy, just the story it told, the details and of course, me being a big Hank Williams fan.”
He also includes more obscure cuts, a cover of Cash’s “The Caretaker,” and the Hank Sr.-penned plea of desperation, “Alone and Forsaken” (with Allison Moorer on guest vocals).
One of the highlights one the project is his rendition of Travis’ signature “Forever and Ever, Amen,” featuring Travis himself singing the final, solemn “Amen.” Turner joined Travis in the studio for the session, but at first he didn’t realize just how momentous that session would be.
“He’s always been my hero and the reason I wanted to sing country music,” Turner says. “I had seen him go onstage over the past few years, and sing the last word on that song when an artist or writer was performing it, and I thought it would be cool to have a recorded version of it,” Turner says. “When he got in the vocal booth, I was standing beside his wife Mary and I look over, and she has tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I put my arm around her and I said, ‘Is this the first time Randy has been in the studio since the stroke?’ She just nodded yes, so I just gave her this big hug. That’s when I realized how bittersweet of a moment it was, but also that we were making history at the same time.”
Turner welcomed both legends and newcomers, inviting duo Maddie & Tae for a cover of George Strait‘s “Desperately,” and Runaway June to sing on the ‘90s Patty Loveless and George Jones classic, “You Don’t Seem To Miss Me,” with Turner taking on Loveless’ line and the trio offering harmonies.
“I had been scouring the landscape for a female song that would make sense for me to do. I went through Reba songs, Loretta Lynn songs, Dolly songs—you name it. I couldn’t seem to find what I was looking for. I started thinking about Patty Loveless and I came across this song. The fact that it was written by Jim Lauderdale was a plus, and a male or a female could sing it. I thought, ‘If I’m singing the lead then it would be great to have a female sing George’s part.’ And what’s better than one female voice on a song? Three female voices. I’m friends with Runaway June and I texted them to ask about it and within like 30 seconds, I got a response from Jennifer Wayne saying that is one of her favorite songs of all time. I thought, ‘Well, I’ve picked the right song and the right people!’”
He most hopes the album will introduce some of his most-revered country classics to a new generation of fans.
“These songs are just timeless and they made me who I am,” he says. “I want other people to love them the way I do.”
Industry Ink: Runaway June, Georgia Thunderbolts, Jay Clementi
/by Lorie HollabaughSong Suffragettes Welcome Runaway June To Aug. 24 Show
The Song Suffragettes partnered with the Women’s Suffrage Centennial
Georgia Thunderbolts Ink With Mascot Records
Pictured (L-R): Richard Young (Kentucky Headhunters), Zach Everett (Georgie Thunderbolts), T.J. Lyle (Georgia Thunderbolts), Ron Burman (Mascot Records), Logan Tolbert (Georgia Thunderbolts), Riley Couzzourt (Georgia Thunderbolts), Bristol Perry (Georgia Thunderbolts), Fred Young (Kentucky Headhunters)
Southern rock group The Georgia Thunderbolts have signed with Mascot Records. The band has also signed a management deal with Richard Young of Kentucky Headhunters fame. Additionally, United Talent Agency will represent the Thunderbolts for North American bookings. The band’s first record, a self-titled EP, The Georgia Thunderbolts, is being released today (Aug. 21). A new single from the album, “So You Wanna Change the World,” is also out today with an accompanying video.
“The Georgia Thunderbolts are very excited to be signed to such a wonderful team as Mascot Records,” says Thunderbolts lead singer T.J. Lyle. “It truly is an honor for us. We wanted to work with a label who understands us for who we are and what we can bring to the table. We found that in the Mascot Records family.”
Jay Clementi Joins SongwritingWith: Soldiers As Music Director
“I have been writing with SW:S since 2012 and proud to be a lead songwriter for the past two years,” said Clementi. “It’s truly an honor to take my commitment to the organization to the next level as Music Director, and I’m thrilled to work with Mary and Kristin to expand our programs for veterans and their families.”
Luke Bryan, Wife Caroline Join Jockey International As Brand Ambassadors
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Bryan and his wife Caroline are the new brand ambassadors for Jockey International, Inc. in their new campaign “There’s Only One Jockey.”
“This partnership with Jockey, and why I’m so proud of it, it just feels like such a natural combination of what our family is about,” said Luke. “Jockey is such a strong family company and we’re excited to be partnered with such a successful company for so many years. The clothes Jockey makes, the comfort and quality, and how they stand behind it, is so important to us.”
“What I love about Jockey the most is their classic white T-shirt because girls can rock it, and boys can, too,” said Caroline. “I have some that I just tie on the side and throw on a hat and cute shoes, and you’re good to go. It’s easy.”
“Luke and Caroline are a great fit for the Jockey brand as their focus on family, dedication to caring for others and playful sense of humor align perfectly with our brand values,” said Chris Smith, senior vice president, DTC and chief brand officer, Jockey. “We’re proud to be able to partner with the Bryans and highlight the impact this all-American couple has on families and a younger generation, and reinforce ‘There’s Only One Jockey.’ It also doesn’t hurt that Luke has an affinity for the classic white Jockey T-shirt – an iconic staple in American culture.”
Tucker Beathard Forges Ahead On New Album ‘KING’
/by Jessica NicholsonIn 2018, Tucker Beathard had recently gotten out of a record deal and was determined to make music on his own terms. He teamed up with a group of his favorite co-writers, and poured his frustrations and musical ambitions into a hefty batch of songs. The result was Nobody’s Everything, the first in a two-part album project that served as his freedom song, the chance to record music he felt fully represented him as an artist.
That project caught the attention of another label, Warner Music Nashville, and he signed with the label in January of last year.
“Before I signed, I had 20-something songs recorded, and I told them, “Look, this is what you’re signing up for, take it or leave it.’ That’s what made them want to sign me, which was cool. They just let me do my thing.”
Now he’s set to finish what he started, with his latest project KING, the culmination of that 20-song project.
KING centers on a boisterous country-rock vibe, throbbing with propulsive energy on tracks like the opener, “Better Than Me.” And for Beathard, that was the idea.
“A catchy guitar riff, just upbeat rock, and one that just sets the tone. When I make an album, I think about set lists for live shows. ‘Better Than Me’ is an all-around just a perfect opening one, in my opinion, just to hook you and lock it in, and just in your face, to set the tone for it.”
“Paper Town” captures a risk-it-all attitude, the tale of two kids in search of acceptance and freedom.
“I’ve always loved that song and talking about just the attitude of feeling like you’re bigger than a town. They are just like, ‘Man, let’s say screw this town.’ It’s just definitely a different substance lyrically and sonically, it definitely brought a different feel to it.”
The son of country songwriter Casey Beathard (known for hits such as Kenny Chesney’s “Don’t Blink” and Eric Church’s “Like Jesus Does”), Tucker grew up entrenched in Nashville’s songwriting scene, and connects with that essence of “Paper Town,” as it ponders whether a change of scenery would be the right move, especially as an artist whose own work veers more toward punk rock than straight-forward country.
“I ask myself that question every day, because it’s tough when you’re doing your own thing and when you have a tough time fitting in. Where do you go when it doesn’t fit in a specific category or box? I think it’s always natural to feel like you don’t fit in somewhere when you’re not easily accepted somewhere. It’s like a chip on your shoulder, and that’s definitely a personal song that stems from just that feeling, for sure.”
Instead, he’s synthesized his penchant for country wordplay and his need to wrap those in slabs of hard-driving rock, and welcomed his father Casey as a co-writer on four of the album’s songs, including “You Would Think” and “You On.”
“Me and my dad, we’re totally different, as far as writing, our preferences and styles. When I started getting into writing, I realized that a lot of the songwriting format and style that was naturally ingrained in me is that ‘three chords, and the truth’ attitude.’ When we started writing together, I was even surprised myself sometimes of how great it was and how well we work together. He loves writing with me because sometimes I bring a fresher thing that he didn’t think about to the table, and I love writing with him because he’s just one of the best writers in town, to say the least.”
Fans will be familiar with “Faithful,” as Tucker first began sharing acoustic renditions of the song on social media back in 2015. Now, the song takes on a full-fledged coat of earthy-rock sheen.
“That might be the oldest song on this record,” he says. “Through my journey through the music business, and getting out of a signed deal before, and just sitting on that song for so long, I’ve recorded it multiple times, but I’ve never had the opportunity to release it. I just kept thinking of ways to keep it exciting.”
But for all of the album’s devil-may-care swagger, it quietly concludes in “I Ain’t Without You,” a tribute to Tucker’s late brother, Clayton Beathard, who was tragically killed at age 22 during an altercation at a Nashville bar in December 2019. KING is a tribute to Clayton’s middle name.
Tucker and his father co-wrote KING‘s stunning and hopeful closing track just weeks after his brother Clayton’s passing.
“it was a product of just everything that I was starting to learn and grow in during that event pretty much. To be honest, I’ve always been scared of not being the first person to go in my family, just because I’ve always been scared of not being able to handle the weight of an event like that. I knew I wasn’t strong enough, and then it happened and I found out pretty quick that I wasn’t necessarily wrong about me personally not being strong enough to get through that. But honestly, I learned the strength and power of Jesus Christ in that moment. The whole situation made me think about the idea of, ‘I’m strong enough to get through this, but not without you.’
“There’s a lot of things that I think I am, that I wouldn’t or couldn’t be without [Clay]. It was just a truth that I was starting to see, and more than ever, and my dad was the only one that could relate to that, and understand where I was coming from, because we were dealing with that tragedy together. I realized pretty quickly that was a song that would make this whole album feel full circle and just put the stamp on this whole book, so to speak, that I wanted to release.”
Mere months after his brother’s passing, tours began shuttering as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified. But for Tucker, being forced to stop touring ended up as a blessing.
“I’m glad that I didn’t have to just jump right back into the swing of things, because, it just definitely helped having time to just be with family, grieve and get through a lot of the emotional stuff. I definitely miss playing, but it’s been great.”
Tour or no tour, Beathard is thankful to have finally released the long-awaited project, one where he can offer every facet of his artistry.
“I’m always going for uniqueness when putting together a project,” he says. “I think a lot of people won’t even know what you’d call it, but as long as they know it’s me, and they can’t find that anywhere else, then that’s what I’m going for.”
Round Hill Music Signs Songwriter/Publisher Collective 4 Horsemen Music
/by Jessica Nicholson4 Horsemen Music currently has the No. 1 single at Active Rock radio with Shinedown’s “Atlas Falls,” co-penned by Maloy, and are at No. 3 in the format with Daughtry’s “World On Fire” a collaboration with Frederiksen and Stevens.
Los Angeles native Frederiksen began his career as a musician in several signed alternative and rock bands in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Frederiksen came to prominence as a songwriter and producer when he caught the attention of legendary A&R rep John Kalodner who introduced him to his now longtime collaborators, Aerosmith. Frederiksen co-wrote and produced the band’s Just Push Play, which featured the massive hit “Jaded.” Frederiksen would go on to write with Def Leppard, Mick Jagger, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Eminem, Pink, Daughtry, Ozzy Osbourne, Buckcherry and more. Now residing in Nashville, he is also the lead singer and guitar player for The Loving Mary Band who supports Steven Tyler, Gretchen Wilson and Mick Fleetwood.
Maloy is the founding member of the rock band The Nixons. He has worked with Daughtry, Tim McGraw, Skillet and Shinedown, and co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s No. 1 hit “Temporary Home.”
Daly’s songwriting credits include work with Keith Urban, Underwood, McGraw, Scott Stapp, Sixx:AM, Halestorm, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Backstreet Boys and Uncle Kracker’s international hit “Smile.” He also had five No. 1 hits including Kelly Clarkson’s “People Like Us,” Kip Moore’s “Beer Money” and Rascal Flatts’ “Stand.”
Stevens’s songwriting and production credits include work with such artists as Shinedown, Scott Stapp, American Authors, Halestorm, Nothing More, Highly Suspect, Daughtry and many more. Stevens’ career has included nine chart-topping Active Rock songs, 20 Top 5 hits and 28 Top 10 songs.
Josh Gruss, Founder and CEO of Round Hill Music said, “It’s a pleasure to have these fine gentlemen of songwriting prowess join the family at Round Hill Music. Marti has been my friend and partner at Sienna recording studios for many years now and it’s great to bring him even closer into the organization. Blair, Scott and Zac are amazing writers especially in the rock category and the four of them together make a killer, go to songwriting unit, with production chops to boot, and to weave them in with all the great artists we have at our record labels will surely result in great synergy. It’s amazing to announce this along with an active rock #1 for the partnership.”
Americana Music Association’s Harriette Dew Dies
/by Lorie HollabaughHarriette Dew
Harriette Dew, the Americana Music Association’s accounting manager, passed away suddenly on Sunday, Aug. 16, after a battle with cancer.
Dew, a passionate music fan, was drawn to the Americana community back in 2013. She volunteered for several years before being hired for a staff position in 2017. Dew was the mother of AMA festival producer and marketing director Sarah Comardelle and her brother Alex Dew, who volunteers every year and helps build the AMERICANAFEST app.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Nashville Children’s Theatre or the Americana Music Association Foundation (AMAF).
Tortuga Music Festival Moved To 2021 With Headliners Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw
/by Lorie HollabaughRock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival is moving to Nov. 12-14 of 2021 because of coronavirus concerns. The Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Florida oceanside festival is being pushed til next year in continuing its commitment to the health and safety of fans, partners, employees, artists and the community.
Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw will still headline the new dates and Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Barenaked Ladies, Gabby Barrett, Lee Brice, Blanco Brown, Billy Currington, DeeJay Silver, DJ Rock, Riley Green, Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Hirie, Jon Pardi, Chris Lane, Jon Langston, Tracy Lawrence, LOCASH, Kip Moore, Pitbull, Michael Ray, Runaway June, Cole Swindell, Toots and the Maytals, Vanilla Ice, Morgan Wallen, Rita Wilson and YA’BOYZ will also take the Main Stage and Sunset Stage.
Tenille Arts, Tyler Booth, Ashland Craft, Cale Dodds, Angie K, Trea Landon, Walker Montgomery, Niko Moon, Kylie Morgan, Meghan Patrick, Brandon Ratcliff, Tyler Rich, Sean Stemaly and Hailey Whitters are also set to perform on the festival’s third “Next From Nashville” stage.
All passes purchased for 2020 will be honored in 2021 with the festival raising funds and promoting ocean awareness as well as supporting marine conservation and research. Full ticketing and lineup details for the rescheduled dates are available at:
Bluegrass Star Steve Gulley Dies
/by Robert K OermannSteve Gulley. Photo: Courtesy Mountain Home
Award-winning bluegrass guitarist, songwriter and tenor vocalist Steve Gulley died on Tuesday (Aug. 18). He was 57.
Noted for his work at Kentucky’s Renfro Valley Barn Dance and in the groups Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Mountain Heart, Grasstowne and his own band Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle, the East Tennessee artist was widely liked and admired in the bluegrass community.
Gulley’s death at age 57 came less than a month after he was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas.
He was a native of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. His father was a country DJ and a member of The Pinnacle Mountain Boys bluegrass ensemble. Gulley initially rose to prominence as a cast member at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance.
He joined the award-winning Quicksilver in 1994. Gulley and fellow Quicksilver bandmembers Jim VanCleve (fiddle) and Barry Abernathy (banjo) formed the basis of Mountain Heart in 1996. The group recorded five albums over the next five years.
Dobro IBMA award winner Phil Leadbetter and acclaimed mandolinist Alan Bibey joined Gulley in forming Grasstowne in 2006. He recorded three albums with the group before leaving it to continue under Bibey’s leadership.
Gulley recorded his solo Sounds Like Home CD in 2006. Next came a 2010 duo album with Tim Stafford titled Dogwood Winter.
He formed Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle in 2014. The group’s disc, Aim High, led to a 2016 IBMA nomination as Emerging Artist of the Year. Other albums have included Time Won’t Wait, Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle, High Peaks and New Ground and Family, Friends & Fellowship.
Steve Gulley was well regarded as a bluegrass songwriter. His works have been recorded by Kenny & Amanda Smith, Blue Highway and Lawson, among others. His “Through the Window of a Train” was named the IBMA’s Song of the Year in 2008.
His cowriter on that song was Tim Stafford. Prior to his death, the two had recorded a second duo album sadly titled Still Here. This has not been released.
During his career, Steve Gulley appeared more than 90 times on the Grand Ole Opry.
In addition to his performing, recording and songwriting activities, Gulley worked as a DJ on WDVX in Knoxville. He was the co-owner of the Curve recording studio.
He is survived by wife Debbie, son Brad and daughters Lyndsey Hunley, Alyson Robinson, Kim Beers and Amber Doss, as well as by 10 grandchildren, his parents Don and Linda Gulley, sister Kristi Laws and his beloved dog Rip.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Steve Gulley’s home church Summey’s Bridge Missionary Baptist Church in his memory. The address is Summey’s Bridge Missionary Baptist Church, 200 Providence Road, Cumberland Gap, TN 37724.
The family will receive friends Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 6 p.m. in the Claiborne ~ Overholt Funeral Home Chapel, 1106 HWY 33 South, New Tazewell, TN 37825. Private graveside services will be conducted in the Kibert Cemetery. All in attendance are required to wear a face mask for the protection of everyone in attendance.
Jamie Moore Renews Deal With Big Loud Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughJamie Moore
Jamie Moore has extended his deal with Big Loud Publishing. Moore first joined Big Loud’s growing stable of tunesmiths in 2016.
Scoring breakout success with his first No. 1 as a co-writer on Florida Georgia Line’s 2x Platinum “May We All” (featuring Tim McGraw) in 2016, Moore notched another chart-topper in May with Morgan Wallen’s Platinum-certified “Chasin’ You.” A gifted songwriter and producer, the Muscle Shoals, Alabama native most recently co-wrote and produced Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG vocalist Evvie McKinney’s brand new single, “Just Like God,” out today (Aug. 21) as well as Warner Records’ R&B artist Bren Joy’s latest release, “Freezing.” Moore has scored cuts by Chris Lane, Florida Georgia Line, TobyMac, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Wallen, among others.
“Jamie is one of those songwriters that any publishing house would be more than happy to have on their team,” said Seth England, Partner/CEO of Big Loud. “Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed his talent firsthand and are so honored to have him a part of our Big Loud Publishing family.”
“I’m grateful for the drive, passion, and determination of this Big Loud Publishing team,” shares Moore. “There are a lot of great things on the horizon. Let’s go!”
Weekly Radio Report (8/21/20)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.
Josh Turner Welcomes His Heroes And Friends On ‘Country State Of Mind’
/by Jessica NicholsonJosh Turner. Photo: David McClister
When Josh Turner broke through in 2003 with his Platinum-certified hit “Long Black Train,” his rumbling baritone and haunting story of temptation and moral complexity drew immediate comparisons to two of Turner’s longtime heroes, Randy Travis and Johnny Cash. A few years before, in December 2001, he had performed the song onstage at the Ryman Auditorium, earning two standing ovations and a call for an encore—a moment that harkened back to Hank Williams, Sr.’s own Ryman debut in 1949, when Williams earned an electrifying six standing ovations from the crowd. The moment seems fitting, given that Turner was inspired to write “Long Black Train” while poring over a collection of rare Hank Williams, Sr. recordings one night at Belmont University’s music library.
In the years that have followed, in addition to earning radio hits such as the multi-Platinum, No. 1 singles “Your Man,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” and “Would You Go With Me,” Turner has consistently pointed listeners to the artists who have inspired him—he welcomed Ralph Stanley and John Anderson on his 2x Platinum sophomore album Your Man, and followed in country music’s lengthy lineage of Gospel albums, such as Alan Jackson’s Precious Memories or Travis’ series of Gospel projects, when Turner released 2018’s I Serve A Savior (which started with a rendition of the Hank Sr. classic “I Saw The Light”).
On Turner’s eighth full-length project, Country State of Mind, out today via MCA Nashville, he’s carrying on another old country tradition, that of passing down songs that influenced him to a new generation of listeners, similar to albums such as Jackson’s Under The Influence, Travis’ two Influence albums, or even Cash’s American IV: The Man Comes Around. Here, Turner welcomes his heroes and friends, to help him pay tribute to an array of influences, including those he considers part of his “Mount Rushmore” of country music: Cash, Travis, John Anderson, Vern Gosdin and Hank Williams, Sr..
The first song Turner knew he had to include on the project was Gosdin’s “I Can Tell By The Way You Dance.”
“I’ve always loved that song and I’ve played it live in years past and it always felt like the song had a timeless quality to it,” he says, “but that it was bogged down in the ‘80s production so that was the first song we went after.”
Though the album features several of Turner’s musical friends and idols, including Kris Kristofferson joining on his 1973 signature “Why Me,” (Turner counts Kristofferson’s The Austin Sessions among his favorite albums) or Anderson to reprise his 1993 hit “I’ve Got It Made,” Turner didn’t intend for the album to be a duets record.
“This record did not start out as being a collaboration project. It was going to strictly just be me doing the classics, but it quickly turned into me bringing in these guests and it just made sense, so it’s a covers record and duet record.”
He welcomed Chris Janson for a cover of Hank Williams, Jr.’s “Country State of Mind” after he and Janson performed an impromptu collaboration on the song during a radio show in Augusta, Georgia a few years ago.
“Chris and I were sitting right beside each other onstage and he starts singing a song and he stops it halfway through and started singing that, and I was like, ‘Really?!’” Turner recalls.
“And in those settings, it’s not very professional for an artist to start chiming in or playing while somebody else is playing, and I’ve always been very respectful about that, unless somebody asks me to. But I couldn’t help myself when he started singing that one, I just started singing that high harmony part and he looked over at me and was like, ‘Keep going!’ The fans just loved seeing us sing it together so when this record came about I thought, ‘We need to do this for real on record.’ And it turned out great.”
When it was recently revealed that Hank Williams, Jr. will soon be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Josh Turner was among the country music fans cheering at the news.
“I was like, ‘It’s about dang time.’ I think it’s well-deserved. He’s an incredible writer and artist. He’s an icon and he’s inspired a lot of young artists. I think every young guy artist goes through a Hank Williams, Jr. phase. Even after all these years, I think I’m still going through mine,” Turner says.
Elsewhere on the album, he covers Keith Whitley’s “I’m No Stranger To The Rain,” and “Good Ol’ Boys,” the Dukes of Hazzard theme song made popular by Waylon Jennings, as well as Alan Jackson’s ode to Hank Williams, Sr., “Midnight In Montgomery,” from Jackson’s 1991 sophomore album Don’t Rock The Jukebox.
“That whole record is just incredible to me, but that song was such a piece of art to me as a young boy, just the story it told, the details and of course, me being a big Hank Williams fan.”
He also includes more obscure cuts, a cover of Cash’s “The Caretaker,” and the Hank Sr.-penned plea of desperation, “Alone and Forsaken” (with Allison Moorer on guest vocals).
One of the highlights one the project is his rendition of Travis’ signature “Forever and Ever, Amen,” featuring Travis himself singing the final, solemn “Amen.” Turner joined Travis in the studio for the session, but at first he didn’t realize just how momentous that session would be.
“He’s always been my hero and the reason I wanted to sing country music,” Turner says. “I had seen him go onstage over the past few years, and sing the last word on that song when an artist or writer was performing it, and I thought it would be cool to have a recorded version of it,” Turner says. “When he got in the vocal booth, I was standing beside his wife Mary and I look over, and she has tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I put my arm around her and I said, ‘Is this the first time Randy has been in the studio since the stroke?’ She just nodded yes, so I just gave her this big hug. That’s when I realized how bittersweet of a moment it was, but also that we were making history at the same time.”
Turner welcomed both legends and newcomers, inviting duo Maddie & Tae for a cover of George Strait‘s “Desperately,” and Runaway June to sing on the ‘90s Patty Loveless and George Jones classic, “You Don’t Seem To Miss Me,” with Turner taking on Loveless’ line and the trio offering harmonies.
“I had been scouring the landscape for a female song that would make sense for me to do. I went through Reba songs, Loretta Lynn songs, Dolly songs—you name it. I couldn’t seem to find what I was looking for. I started thinking about Patty Loveless and I came across this song. The fact that it was written by Jim Lauderdale was a plus, and a male or a female could sing it. I thought, ‘If I’m singing the lead then it would be great to have a female sing George’s part.’ And what’s better than one female voice on a song? Three female voices. I’m friends with Runaway June and I texted them to ask about it and within like 30 seconds, I got a response from Jennifer Wayne saying that is one of her favorite songs of all time. I thought, ‘Well, I’ve picked the right song and the right people!’”
He most hopes the album will introduce some of his most-revered country classics to a new generation of fans.
“These songs are just timeless and they made me who I am,” he says. “I want other people to love them the way I do.”