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By Todd Sterling
Standing on the side of the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, listening to Vince Gill wrap his high lonesome vocals around "Go Rest High," a touching ballad the singer wrote for his late brother, was an overwhelming experience. The performance by Gill was the perfect end to a perfect evening, one which started off with Josh Turner’s induction into the Opry.
Out of all the new artists from the last six or seven years, Turner is definitely the most deserving of being a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He not only plays, writes, and sings ‘real’ country music, he loves the country lifestyle and lives it. A good Christian boy who not only talks the talk, but walks it as well, Turner is a fine role model and traditional torch bearer cut from the same cloth as Randy Travis and Alan Jackson.
Earlier in the evening, before Gill brought the house down with his tear-stained performance, Turner was in fine spirts as he confidently strode onto the Opry stage. Knowing what awaited him later in the televised portion of the show, the singer didn’t seem the least bit rattled. Turner and his band performed hits like "Firecracker" and "Your Man" for the beaming audience of all ages.
Folks had come from far and wide to witness country music history. And it was a historical evening indeed. During the televised portion of the show, the Opry’s Pete Fisher presented Turner with a beautifully carved miniature replica of the WSM microphone and stand. Fisher gave a speech about the importance of Turner’s role in the Opry and the singer’s responsibility to the institution, its members and the fans.
Turner humbly accepted his statue and acknowledged his commitment to the Opry and country music. It was a proud moment for many; a dream come true for Turner.
After the induction, the media was directed to a press conference in the Opry Museum. A few minutes later, Turner came out and took questions from the assembled journalists, who asked questions like: How does it feel to be a member of the Opry? I was content to just stand back and watch Turner conduct himself in a level-headed and professional manner.
Three days earlier I’d attended a #1 party for a singer who is currently taking the music world by storm. The contrast between Turner and this singer, who is close to Turner in age, was noticeable. Where Turner seems to be taking all his success in stride, the other singer appeared to be swallowed up by his new found fame.
After the press conference there was a reception in one of the Opry House studios. (I’m told it was the same studio where Hee Haw was taped). Josh was presented with a few gifts by the Opry and his record label, including a large cake that was later devoured by the guests (after all had partaken in a tasty Cracker-Barrel catered buffet). Some of Josh’s family were there, including his parents, his brother, and his only living grandparent.
Even though he was pulled from one person to the next, Turner remained composed, although he did look a little tired from the long day (which wouldn’t end for another three hours, after he and his band played again on the Opry’s late show). Still, the singer took time out to greet everyone. I managed to snag his attention for a few minutes and we talked about his upcoming album release.
After the reception, I was given a tour backstage at the Opry by a friend of mine and was then left to wander around and mingle. I had the pleasure of talking with Bill Anderson (I love the song he and Dean Dillon wrote for Kenny Chesney, "A Lot Of Things Different"). I ran into Del McCoury at the side of the stage and talked to him about his right hand technique. Even Little Jimmy Dickens gave me a minute of his time.
After a long night, and after Gill’s performance of "Go Rest High," I went back to Gill’s dressing room and spoke to him for a few minutes. Obviously tired from a long night of hosting duties that had begun over four hours earlier, Gill was nonetheless jovial as I told him how much that last performance had touched me. Soon after, the Opry stage went dark, the place cleared out and all that were left were memories.
October 27, 2007 will not only go down as the night Josh Turner was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, for me, it will go down as a personal highlight in my career as a music journalist.
Todd Sterling is a music journalist and singer/songwriter from Canada.
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