Country artist Turner joins Opry fold

By Ken Tucker

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - "My ultimate goal is always to become a legend in this business," Josh Turner says without a trace of braggadocio, when asked what his goals are. On the eve of his introduction as the newest member of the venerable Grand Ole Opry, Turner is well on his way.

He'll be inducted just three days before his new album, "Everything Is Fine" (MCA Nashville), is released October 30.

Turner's first album, "Long Black Train," has sold 1.2 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and his second, "Your Man," has tallied 1.9 million. He also released "Josh Turner: Live at the Ryman," which is available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations.

Despite his strong sales, Turner has a relatively low profile. "He hasn't mounted a monstrous tour," says Universal Music Group Nashville chairman Luke Lewis. He's been out there beating up the heartland."

There's another reason. "Unlike a lot of artists, he's been really intent on maintaining a balance with his family life," Lewis says. "In some instances, that's probably made him a little less visible than some people (who) are having their picture taken every other day."

For "Everything Is Fine," Turner wrote or co-wrote seven of the album's 12 songs, including rollicking first single "Firecracker," which is No. 11 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.

Turner wrote two songs with his musical hero, John Anderson, and he duets on the album with Trisha Yearwood ("Another Try") and R&B artist Anthony Hamilton ("Nowhere Fast").

On November 7, Turner will perform on the Country Music Assn. Awards show, which will air on ABC.

Reuters/Billboard