Hear Josh Turner’s Spirited ‘Hometown Girl’
Josh Turner will kick off summer by sticking close to home – on record, anyway. The singer’s “Hometown Girl” will officially be released on May 31st, as the second single from his yet-to-be-released sixth studio album. The gently rocking tune espouses the virtues of a corn-fed natural beauty, who eschews the bright lights of the Big Apple for simple, home-grown pleasures. It pairs the South Carolina native’s unmistakable, country-to-the-core baritone with a modern, rollicking beat.
“The first time I heard ‘Hometown Girl’ I was excited,” says Turner. “First of all, it sounded like a hit to me. It just had that chorus and vibe that held your attention and didn’t lose you. Honestly, it was different for me and that was kind of what I was looking for.”
“Hometown Girl” was penned by Mark Beeson, co-writer of Ashley Monroe’s “The Blade,” and Daniel Tashian, whose songs have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Eli Young Band and Billy Currington, among others.
Turner’s previous single, “Lay Low,” peaked just inside the Top Thirty when it was released in 2014. Since that time, the Grand Ole Opry member has continued to work on the follow-up LP to Punching Bag, which was issued in June 2012, yielding the Number Two hit, “Time Is Love.”
“The basic standards I’ve always held for my music still apply to this record, but I’ve definitely taken a step back and looked at what today’s environment is and how my music can fit into that,” Turner told Rolling Stone Country when “Lay Low” was released. “I don’t follow trends and I’ve always followed my heart, whether my music fits in or not, but I want to be a player in the game and continue to evolve as an artist. This record, so far, has great musicianship, great melodies and lyrics that today’s audience can relate to.”
A release date for the new LP has yet to be announced. Turner is currently on tour, with upcoming shows in Mississippi, Idaho and Nevada.