Josh Turner Doing Free Show in Coralville This Weekend

Country music fans are going to get a double-dose of goodness in Coralville this weekend. A Josh Turner concert, that's free!

It's hard to believe it's been nearly 20 years since Josh Turner graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and absolutely knocked out the audience when he belted out the debut performance of "Long Black Train". On that night, just four days before Christmas in 2001, the Opry audience went berserk, and then something happened that just doesn't happen. Josh sang it again.

Two years later, in 2003, Turner released his debut album, 'Long Black Train.' That same year the title song became Josh's first Top 20 hit, peaking at #13. I still can't figure out how it didn't make it to number one. To this day I have the wooden train whistle that his record company sent us to promote the single.

Even though that song didn't make number one, Josh has hit the top spot on multiple occasions and has made several other trips into the top five. All of these either made the top five or were #1 songs: "Time is Love", "Your Man", "Hometown Girl", "Why Don't We Just Dance", "Would You Go With Me", "All Over Me", and "Firecracker".

Turner is bringing his deep baritone voice to Coralville for a free 4thFest Concert at S.T. Morrison Park (1513 7th Street) Saturday night, July 3. Danny Whitson opens the show at 6:30 p.m., followed by Josh at 8 p.m. The Coralville website reminds you to bring blankets and lawn chairs. The show is open to all ages. It's an easy call for parents with the deeply religious Turner on stage.

You can check out other events happening in Coralville over the 4th of July weekend HERE.