If you go
* What: All-American Day with Josh Turner* Where: Abba’s House, 5208 Hixson Pike* When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 8; auditorium doors open 9:15 a.m.* Admission: Free* For more information: www.abbashouse.com
The country singer who rode "Long Black Train" to success - a breakthrough hit about temptation and salvation - will headline All-American Day at Abba's House in Hixson on Sunday, July 8.
Josh Turner, whose distinctively deep, rich bass voice makes him immediately identifiable on the radio, will perform and sit for a question-and-answer session with pastors Ronnie Phillips and Ken Hartley during the 10:30 a.m. service.
"Ronnie Phillips and Ken Hartley got to know Josh and his wife last year when they traveled to Israel with Gov. Mike Huckabee," says Julie Harding, Abba's House global media director. "Josh has a great story and his career is undergirded by his faith. He will be an inspiration to all who are here."
Turner has charted numerous Top 10 hits such as "Why Don't We Just Dance," "Your Man," "Firecracker," "Would You Go With Me" and "Time Is Love," the most-played country song of 2012.
But he also has had hits sharing his faith; among them, "I Was There," "For the Love of God" and "Me and God." And he really took fans to church with the gospel-tinged "The Answer."
In 2014, he checked off a bucket list item with the release of his first book, "Man Stuff: Thoughts on Faith, Family and Fatherhood."
The South Carolinian released album "Deep South" in 2017. He has sold more than 8 million units, is one of the youngest members of the Grand Ole Opry and created the Josh Turner Scholarship Fund to help students interested in pursuing a future in arts and music.
Harding says Sunday's program will open with a choir and orchestra salute to the armed forces. All active-duty military, veterans, first responders and teachers will be recognized.
Then Turner will sing for about 20 minutes before the 25-minute Q&A session. Phillips will follow that with a short devotion before Turner closes the service with a song.
Seating for this free service is first-come, first-served. There is no reserved seating.
Harding says exterior doors to the building will open at 8 a.m. Auditorium doors will open about 9:15 a.m. or once Turner has finished his soundcheck. The auditorium can seat approximately 3,000 guests. But an overflow crowd is expected, she says, so plans have been made to seat an additional 800 to 1,000 in other rooms if needed.
"We will give away two front-row seats before that day, and two more on the day of the event," says Harding. "We will also have drawings for two meet-and-greets with Josh and 20 autographed CDs that day."
To register for these drawings, go to www.abbashouse.com.