Published: Monday, October 1, 2007
Josh Turner joins Opry
Josh Turner joins Opry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hank Williams. Patsy Cline. Alan Jackson. Martina McBride. And now, Josh Turner.
They're all members of the Grand Ole Opry, the nation's longest continuously running radio show. Turner was invited to join Saturday, and had no trouble accepting.
During "Opry Live," Turner presented Roy Clark with a plaque commemorating his 20 years as an Opry member. Clark then pulled an envelope attached to the back of the plaque and said, "Well, actually this is for you, Josh. It reads: How would you like to formally become a member of the Grand Ole Opry?"
Said Turner: "I made my Opry debut back in 2001. I never knew this could happen so early."
He will be formally inducted Oct. 27 by Vince Gill.
When Turner made his first showing at the Opry, he hadn't yet had a song released on country radio. Even so, he earned a standing ovation for "Long Black Train," which became his breakthrough hit, and a second standing ovation after an encore.
Turner's debut album sold more than a million copies. His follow-up, "Your Man," also went double platinum with the hit singles "Your Man" and "Would You Go With Me?" Turner has been nominated for male vocalist of the year by the Country Music Association, whose awards show will air Nov. 7.
Opry management says artists are invited to join judging by the frequency of their appearances and their overall contributions to country music.
Holyfield seeks
to grill Foreman
ATLANTA — Evander Holyfield once defeated George Foreman in a battle for the world heavyweight boxing title. Now he is seeking to oust his former foe from another arena: the grilling world.
Holyfield, of Atlanta, is preparing to unveil the "Evander Holyfield Real Deal Grill," a direct competitor to Foreman's famous "Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine," which has reportedly earned $100 million in sales since 1995.
"I've got a George Foreman grill. It's a good grill," Holyfield, 44, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "But don't you think the latest grill is supposed to be the best grill?"
Manufacturer CirTran Corp., based in Utah, approached Holyfield about promoting the $99 grill after he appeared on the TV show "Dancing With the Stars" in 2005. Holyfield dons an apron in a 30-minute commercial that began airing last week describing his product's culinary and health benefits.
But Holyfield isn't done with boxing. He's jumping back into the ring Oct. 13 to fight Sultan Ibragimov at Moscow's Khodynka Ice Palace arena, part of his quest to retire as the oldest heavyweight champion.
Today's birthdays
Actor James Whitmore is 86. Former President Jimmy Carter is 83. Pianist Roger Williams is 83. Actor Tom Bosley is 80. Actress-singer Julie Andrews is 72. Actress Stella Stevens is 71. Rock musician Jerry Martini (Sly and the Family Stone) is 64. Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew is 62. Jazz musician Dave Holland is 61. Actor Stephen Collins is 60. Actor Randy Quaid is 57. Actress Yvette Freeman is 50. Singer Howard Hewett is 50. Singer Youssou N'Dour is 48. Actor Esai Morales is 45. Actor Christopher Titus is 43. Actress-model Cindy Margolis is 42. Rock singer-musician Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra) is 39. Singer Keith Duffy is 33. Actress Jurnee Smollett is 21. Actress Brie Larson is 18.
Associated Press
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