Turner became the show's featured country/pop singer for its final three years on syndicated television. Turner sang the Broadway ballad, 'My Cup Runneth Over', with a classical arrangement he had worked out on his guitar while still in college. In 1979, he was discovered at a 'gig' by Welk reedman, Russ Klein, who suggested he audition for his boss, Lawrence Welk. Turner was signed to the GRC record label, and was produced by both Neil Wilburn and Larry Cox. He was entertaining on the Los Angeles club circuit (the Palomino, the Pasadena Ice House, the Troubadour), plus colleges, fairs and clubs throughout the country. After the Los Angeles run of Superstar, Turner decided to stay on the West Coast but returned to his country music roots while adding folk and rock to his acoustic guitar and vocals. He went on to play the bass part of Caiphas, plus the screaming tenor of Pilate. Turner was the only lead role cast at that time. Booked on a trip to New York performing with a variety show, Turner auditioned on Broadway for Jesus Christ Superstar, singing the only ballad from Pilate (not with the rehearsal pianist, but his classically played acoustic guitar).

He found immediate success as a songwriter, session musician and recording artist. He toured Europe as a youth soloist and classical guitarist for the University of Tennessee choir.Īfter graduating with honors, majoring in Engineering Management and working summers in Music, he moved to the capital city of Nashville and launched a career in the lounges of country music, 'jamming' with Doug Kershaw, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. He is the founder of The Sounds of Purpose and remains on the board of directors of this music-charged charity.īorn and reared in Knoxville, Tennessee, Turner got his early experience in a local band performing on the southeastern college concert and club circuit.

He was nominated in 2008 for a Dove Award as a country and gospel singer for his first radio release in the Christian music genre.

Well-known from The Lawrence Welk Show as the country/pop bass baritone from 1979 until its eponymous host retired in 1982, he was earlier cast on Broadway for the original Jesus Christ Superstar, while he was in New York City on a Nashville folk rock tour. James Louis Turner (born September 6, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, who has national credits from Broadway, television, and radio.

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