Reviews of Josh Turner’s latest concerts note women trying all types of antics to get up close and personal with the sultry-voiced country crooner. Get ready for that type of female raucousness and more when Turner headlines WPOC Sunday in the Country with such household names as the Band Perry, Joe Nichols and Brantley Gilbert performing. Although it wasn’t long ago that Turner was a supporting act at this and other festivals, his songs including “I Wouldn’t Be a Man” have turned him into a sex symbol headliner.
“She really is a good sport about it,” said Turner of how his wife and keyboard player, Jennifer, reacts to the fan attention. “She is out there with me everywhere we go as part of the band and she’s learned to just ignore a lot of it.”
| ONSTAGE |
| Sunday in the Country |
| » Artists: Josh Turner, the Band Perry, Joe Nichols, Brantley Gilbert, Steel Magnolia, Frankie Ballard, Hunter Hayes and Richie Fields |
| » When: 11 a.m., doors, Sunday |
| » Where: Merriweather Post Pavilion, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia |
| » Info: At presstime, only $75 tickets remained; ticketfly.com; 877-4FLY-TIX |
That may well be because there will likely be plenty more years of adoration ahead for the Hannah, S.C.-bred Tuner who has sold more than 5 million albums and charted numerous No. 1 singles including the title track from his 2010 album “Haywire.” That’s not even mentioning the many awards Turner’s music has garnered and his recent induction into the Grand Ole Opry.
Yet the 33-year-old Turner, one of the youngest Grand Ole Opry inductees in history, seems as surprised by anyone at his success.
“I don’t ever want to take anything for granted,” he said. “I’ve learned from certain people that it takes a lot of hard work, passion and love for what you do to have longevity in this career.”
That was brought home to him just last week when he joined in tributes for Randy Travis, one of his own idols, as he marked 25 years in the country music business.
“He has done what every artist aspires to do,” said Turner of the timeless qualities of Travis’ songs that include “Forever and Ever, Amen.” “[Creating] timeless music is the majority of what Randy has done.”
Turner was hesitant to talk about an upcoming album because it’s currently in the early stages. Although he has many songs he wants on the record, it’s more important to him that the songs speak to his fans.
One such song he found success with is “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” which is a song he said he wouldn’t have written but that spoke to him and his fans. Yet the song, the first single off his “Haywire” album, became his third No. 1 hit.
“That’s a really different song,” said Turner. “That’s why it spoke to me and to the fans.”
