Fans of Josh Turner are in for a treat as the multi-platinum-selling artist announces the release of a collection of his biggest hits and fan favorites called Josh Turner: Greatest Hits on September 8.
The album features eleven of his biggest career songs across his two-decade career. It includes all five of his No. 1 hits – these are “Hometown Girl,” “All Over Me,” “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” “Would You Go With Me,” and his first-ever top hit, “Your Man.”
There’s also a pair of Turner’s faith-based songs, “I Serve a Savior” and “Me and God,” which Turner wrote solely.
Of course, Josh Turner: Greatest Hits would never be complete without his self-penned signature track, “Long Black Train.” He debuted the song at the Grand Ole Opry in 2001 and released it as the second single and title track of his debut album in 2003. It then spent over thirty weeks on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, which peaked at No. 13.
Other tracks included in the album are “Firecracker,” “Time Is Love,” and “I Wouldn’t Be A Man.”
Turner noted that the compilation album is his way of expressing gratitude and humility for still being around the industry after many years and being able to continue making music. After all, “when you start out in this business, you’re never guaranteed longevity,” the signer said.
Two Decades After Josh Turner’s Breakthrough Hit
It’s been twenty years since Josh Turner first graced country music and released his debut album Long Black Train, which reached No. 4 on the Top Country Albums while peaking at No. 29 on Billboard 200.
Since then, Turner has delivered eight more studio albums, as well as a gospel album and a Christmas record. The “Why Don’t We Just Dance” singer has also sold over six and a half million records, gained billions of global streams, and earned several country hits.
So, to honor the project that started it all and celebrate the milestone, the country singer embarked on the Long Black Train 20th Anniversary Tour.
It kicked off on March 4 in Dothan, Alabama, and will make a few stops across the country – including Tucson, Arizona; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Nelsonville, Ohio; and Valley Center, California; among others – before things wrap up on September 23 in Columbus, Minnesota.
In addition, Turner released Long Black Train on vinyl for the first time in May 2023.
Josh Turner Looked Back To The Song That Started It All
In March 2023, Josh Turner was one of the country favorites featured in the nationally syndicated TV series, The Song. The episode focused on Turner’s debut single, “Long Black Train,” and its origins dating from when he was only a student at Nashville’s Belmont University, where he majored in vocal music.
Turner revisited the campus and remembered his college years fondly, including writing “Long Black Train” – which he thought was an “old-timey gospel song” no one would want to hear. However, much to his surprise, it landed him his first publishing deal, a record deal, and of course, his first-ever Opry performance.
“I don’t know where I’d be today without this song, and so we named the tour for this 20th anniversary and will be celebrating all year long,” Turner said.
Truly, it’s amazing to see the life of the song over the last twenty years and how it helped Josh Turner become one of country music’s most successful artists today.