Josh Turner Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary As An Opry Member

Photo Credit: Chris Hollo

Josh Turner has played the Grand Ole Opry a whopping 150 times, and on Tuesday night (Sept. 19), he celebrated his 10^th anniversary of being an Opry member. Bill Anderson was on hand to commemorate the special occasion, who also happened to host the night of Turner’s very first appearance at the famed institution over 16 years ago.

“When I was headed back to my dressing room, Bill Anderson asked the crowd if they wanted to hear some more,” said Turner of his first experience on the show. “Bill hollered out at me and said, ‘Josh, let’s make that train a little bit longer.’  I was blown away that he called me back out to do an encore.  I didn’t know how to do an encore and I didn’t have a second song prepared so I sang ‘Long Black Train’ again.”

Prior to the anniversary celebration, Turner was surprised by his management and label with the news that his most-recent No. 1, “Hometown Girl,” is now officially RIAA-certified Gold. Turner’s Opry performance included “Hometown Girl,” his Platinum-selling No. 1 hits “Would You Go with Me” and “Your Man,” his latest single “All About You,” and the timeless “Long Black Train.”

Pictured (L-R): UMG Nashville SVP A&R Brian Wright, UMG Nashville CEO & Chairman Mike Dungan, MCA Nashville VP Promotion Katie Dean, Modern Management’s Ted Greene, Josh Turner, UMG Nashville SVP Promotion Royce Risser, UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe, UMG Nashville COO Mike Harris
Photo: Haley Hall