Josh Turner didn’t know he was cutting a future classic when he stepped into the studio to record Your Man. The 2005 hit, now certified four times platinum, almost didn’t happen. He wasn’t even sure it was the right fit for his voice. But it became the song that launched him into country music stardom — and it’s still going strong nearly 20 years later.
“I didn’t even know it was the right song for me,” Turner tells Local Profile. “But I was willing to give it a try.”
That leap of faith paid off in a big way. With his unmistakable baritone and a deep catalog of hits, Turner has become a cornerstone of contemporary country. And this month, North Texas fans will get to see him live when he headlines the Rockwall Founders Day Festival on May 17.
From Church Choirs to the Grand Ole Opry
Turner’s musical journey began early in Hannah, South Carolina. Singing in church choirs as a child, he eventually formed his own gospel quartet. But it wasn’t an overnight success. “There were many nay-sayers around me early on in my journey and all it did was fuel the fire in me to chase my dream.”
Those dreams eventually led him to Belmont University in Nashville, where he studied music and caught the attention of Jody Williams, who signed him to a production and publishing deal.
His breakout moment came at the Grand Ole Opry when he performed his self-written song Long Black Train. The crowd gave him a standing ovation, a pivotal moment that launched his recording career and cemented him as a powerful new voice in the genre. Since its release, the single has racked up over 245 million global streams and more than a million track downloads.
In total, Turner has amassed more than 5.8 billion global streams, 6.5 million album sales and nearly 12 million track sales worldwide. He’s had five No. 1 singles, including Your Man, whose official music video has surpassed 223 million views. In 2023, he released his first Greatest Hits album, highlighting 11 of his biggest songs from across seven studio albums.
While he’s known for polished classics, the songwriting process isn’t always easy. “Most all songs are hard to write!” he says. Would You Go With Me was especially unusual — it originally had no chorus, just four verses and a long instrumental break. “Frank told the publishers in the meeting that if they had the writers go back and write a hit chorus, we’d cut it. I thought it was a risky, bold move, but it worked out in our favor! It became my second #1 and continues to be a fan favorite.”
Recently, Would You Go With Me went viral on TikTok and began making the rounds across charts once again. The song earned a spot on Spotify’s US Viral 50 chart and even reached audiences across Scandinavia. It has since been certified triple platinum.
Turner’s faith and roots continue to guide his music. He won a GMA Dove Award in 2021 for his version of I Saw The Light, and his gospel-driven album I Serve a Savior is one of several that reflect his spiritual foundation. Over the years, he has been nominated for two GRAMMY Awards, five CMA Awards, two ACM Awards and multiple others.
North Texas Crowd, Small-Town Vibe
For Turner, playing in Texas is nothing new, but it’s never routine, and the Rockwall Founders Day Festival offers the kind of hometown energy Turner thrives on. “I’ve spent a whole lot of time in Texas over the last 20+ years,” he says. “I’m looking forward to playing in Rockwall. It should be a fun night!”
The city celebrates its 171st birthday with a full day of free, family-friendly programming. The festivities kick off downtown with a farmers market, pop-up art from the Rockwall Art League, and a wine walk from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At Harry Myers Park, the action continues from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with bounce houses, a ninja course, animal shows, local vendors and a food court. A free trolley connects downtown and the park all day long. Music takes center stage in the evening, with performances by Will Jones at 5:30 p.m., William Beckmann at 6:30 p.m. and Josh Turner closing the night at 8 p.m.
“Festivals like this are always fun because there are lots of families in attendance having a great time enjoying a break from everyday life,” Turner says.
Giving Back To The Music Community
But Turner’s rise wasn’t without challenges, especially in his early education. “It became evident that I had missed out on a lot when I was in high school,” he says, reflecting on a studio conversation with producer Frank Rogers. Rogers, who attended a large high school in South Carolina, had more access to music programs and opportunities than Turner ever did.
That realization inspired Turner and his wife, Jennifer, to create the Josh Turner Scholarship Fund for the Arts in 2005. What started at his alma mater, Hannah-Pamplico High School, has expanded across the Southeast, helping students from small or rural schools access financial aid to pursue music and the arts in college.
“It’s been very fulfilling to watch the growth of this fund and hear the stories of how we’ve helped countless students get financial aid to go to the college of their choice to study music or the arts,” Turner says.
Turner On Tour
Turner is currently traveling the country on his This Country Music Thing Tour, with stops across the U.S. in 2025. Tour dates and tickets are available at www.joshturner.com.
Whether topping charts, writing new material or taking the stage at a North Texas festival, Turner keeps the focus on connection and storytelling.
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