JOSH TURNER WILL CELEBRATE HIS 10TH ANNIVERSARY AS A MEMBER OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY.

Artist: Josh Turner

Josh Turner will celebrate his 10th anniversary of being a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday (September 19th) with an extended performance and more. He says it means a lot to him being part of such a wonderful family, even though he felt the invitation to become a part of that family came too soon in his career.

“It was kind of surreal because I didn’t feel like I deserved the membership side of it, because I felt like I needed to pay my dues more or be older, because at the time I was actually the youngest member inducted until Carrie [Underwood] was inducted later,” says Josh. “It tends to mean more and more to me being a member there and not only that, but just what it stands for. I think they’re really still trying to keep it current and keep it fresh, but at the same time they’re trying to preserve the purity of what our genre is all about, so I’m just happy to be a part of that. There’s such diversity in the membership there at the Opry, so you can’t say, ‘Aw, it’s just one kind of artist.’ It’s not. The thing that we have in common is that we’re all dedicated to preserving country music and keeping it alive for generations to come.”

Josh was invited by Roy Clark, and the young South Carolina native thought was he was presenting an award to the legendary performer.

“I think looking back on it, I think it was kind of a fake award, ‘cause Roy was in on it,” he recalls. “They totally fooled me, ‘cause I was out there thinking I was going to bestow this award upon Roy Clark and then come to find out there was an induction or an invitation letter I should say, on the back of the plaque that I handed him. I don’t even know why I didn’t even see it. So, he pulls the letter out the envelope and reads it and invites me to become a member of the Opry, and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute. They just turned the tables on me.’ So, it was pretty much of a surprise.”

In June, he celebrated his 150th performance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

Josh has hit the airwaves with his latest song, “All About You,” the follow-up to the No. 1 “Hometown Girl.”

Josh Turner (being a member of the Opry) OC: …generations to come. 1:02
“It means a lot. It’s hard to believe I’ve been a member there [for 10 years]. You know, when I first started out, it was kind of surreal because I didn’t feel like I deserved the membership side of it, because I felt like I needed to pay my dues more or be older, because at the time I was actually the youngest member inducted until Carrie [Underwood] was inducted later. But as I’ve seen the changes happening in the business here, it tends to mean more and more to me being a member there and not only that, but just what it stands for. I think they’re really still trying to keep it current and keep it fresh, but at the same time they’re trying to preserve the purity of what our genre is all about, so I’m just happy to be a part of that. There’s such diversity in the membership there at the Opry, so you can’t say, ‘Aw, it’s just one kind of artist.’ It’s not. The thing that we have in common is that we’re all dedicated to preserving country music and keeping it alive for generations to come.”

Josh Turner (recalls Opry invitation) OC: …part of that family. :57
“Honestly, I thought I was there to present an award to Roy Clark, which I was…sort of. [laughs] I think looking back on it, I think it was kind of a fake award, ‘cause Roy was in on it. They totally fooled me, ‘cause I was out there thinking I was going to bestow this award upon Roy Clark and then come to find out there was an induction or an invitation letter I should say, on the back of the plaque that I handed him. I don’t even know why I didn’t even see it. So, he pulls the letter out the envelope and reads it and invites me to become a member of the Opry, and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute. They just turned the tables on me.’ So, it was pretty much of a surprise. Like I say, I was just bowled over at how young I was and how early into my career it was. It seemed premature from my perspective, but I’m glad it happened and I’ve been committed to showing them that I’m dedicated to the Opry and I’m going to continue to play there and be a part of that family.”