JOSH's FCP'12! Are You Ready for PB???

Yesterday morning in the Cannery ballroom when JOSH made his entrance after glorifying words of praise and an introduction from Nan Kelley, the room erupted. Nan, everyone knows from ‘Host of Opry Live and Top 20 Country Countdown, but she also is a personal friend of JOSH. JOSH asked Nan to stay on the stage with him to assist as co-host, which she did for about 30 minutes. JOSH was feted by MCN, Modern Management and his loyal fan club. Yes, it is the most exciting event of the CMA Fest JOSH’s FCP hosted by JOSH. And I was honored to be part of it again, joined by hundreds of JOSH fans who waited for hours for this event to start. At 9am on a beautiful June morning ardent fans who had waited patiently for the doors to open got to enter the ballroom. I have to brag when the doors opened, I was lucky to be # 1 to enter and I quickly secured a front row seat right in front of this strange looking flowered sofa on stage. What a different kind of show I was thinking. No microphones on stage, no music stands, and no stools. Actually the stage reminded me of a Broadway Play set and in addition to that focal point…the flowered sofa, were a couple of end tables with candles and a couple of guitars on the floor. Still, I had no clue, but I have to admit I was seduced by this flowered sofa right in front of me-what was JOSH up to? Once JOSH thanked all his fans for coming to his party, he settled on that sofa leaning back as if he were at home with his boys about to tell a bedtime story. JOSH told us we were going to listen to the entire Punching Bag album with him and he would answer questions. Armed with his latest new music JOSH had a lot to celebrate this year with fans and he was ready to play all the songs from Punching Bag and take in our reactions. No one in country music can bring excitement to an audience like JOSH TURNER. He is the total package…voice, looks and attitude. And along with that great voice, which is perfection, JOSH has such stage presence so professional and so funny. But this 34-year-old superstar’s chiseled features, which once made him the Grand Old Opry youngest member, ensure he’s still boyishly handsome, but there’s a well-earned maturity that wasn’t evident when JOSH became a household name. In my opinion JOSH has really grown as an artist and once every one hears Punching Bag, they will know exactly what I’m talking about. This CD is what I call singing! Boy he can sing, he can talk, or just stare at you with those blue eyes-he’s smoking HOT and so is Punching Bag! It’s really great to come to a party where the whole party is centered on JOSH TURNER-he’s excellent in every way…saying that, I did miss seeing the Tonkin Honkies. However, JOSH seemed very happy with the outpouring of gratitude from the fans for his new music from Punching Bag and he handled the party with complete aplomb. Although JOSH never restricts the conversation or topics, he definitely wanted question pertaining to Punching Bag and always he is generous to allow his fans a glimpse in to his talented and famous life. I know the JOSH TURNER fan will truly love the Punching Bag music. JOSH has put his ideas and emotions in to these songs and created history. This year’s FCP drew fans from as far as Australia and as close as Tennessee. As I stated JOSH wanted fans to ask questions after each song was played. One fan did ask what JOSH’s favorite song was. After naming Long Black Train, he began to list all the positives it brought to his life, and call it serendipity, but a real train was passing at that very moment and blew its whistle. JOSH was surprised and delighted by this surreal moment. It was priceless! Of course I raised my hand and when Nan put the microphone in front of my face, I still can’t believe the faux pas I made in front of my hero and for everyone to hear. I said, hey JOSH, my name is JOSH TURNER instead of my own name. You’d think I’d remember my own name, but I still get nervous talking with JOSH. Oh well, it got a laugh from JOSH. I got lots of pictures and so enjoyed being surrounded by so many of JOSH’s fans from the fan club. It was great seeing old friends and nice meeting new ones. What a busy life JOSH has, after offering his friendly smile to all his fan club with a photo op, he had interviews to give, media to meet and more pictures to take. Country Weekly was there and made a group photo that will be in an up-coming issue. I want to mention at my photo op with JOSH I asked if I could put on a Clemson cap and he said go for it. JOSH’s music changes hearts and changes minds and if it’s possible that voice could get any better, I think most will be intrigued like me when they hear Punching Bag. I am impressed with Punching Bag, because the subject and content of JOSH’s new music puts a warm smile on my face and most definitely uplifts my spirit. The maturity and stability JOSH has found in life resonates in his baritone voice throughout this album. He knows how to bring music to life with that voice and believe me he had fans going bananas this morning. Punching Bag is definitely a textbook of JOSH TURNER tracks and I personally found it instantly loveable. Punching Bag makes it easy to see why JOSH is so popular. How special for me being unfamiliar with these new songs to tell everyone reading this review that I first heard them with JOSH TURNER! I guess we all expected to hear JOSH sing something live, but it really wasn’t necessary after this private preview of the complete CD with JOSH. I’m not at my personal computer and of course I could talk forever about the party, but I so want others that weren’t present to hear about the highlight of the CMA FEST…JOSH TURNER FCP’12. I look forward to reading what other fans who attended JOSH's party will say.