Jim Turner (singer)

Jim Turner (born September 6), an American singer/songwriter/actor has national credits from Broadway, TV and Radio. Well-known on The Lawrence Welk Show as the country/pop bass baritone from 1979–82, earlier Jim was cast on Broadway for the original Jesus Christ Superstar, while in New York on a Nashville folk rock tour. Dove Award nominated in 2008 as a Country/Gospel singer for his first radio release in the Christian Music genre, he is the founder of SOUNDS OF PURPOSE, where he remains on the Board of Directors of this music-charged charity. \ Raised in Knoxville, Tennessee in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains, Jim got his early experience in a local band performing on the south-eastern college concert and club circuit. He toured Europe as a youth soloist and classical guitarist for the University of Tennessee choir.

After graduating with honors, majoring in Engineering Management and working summers in Music, he moved to Nashville and launched a career in the lounges of Music City country music, "jamming" with Doug Kershaw, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. He found immediate success as a songwriter, session player and recording artist. Booked on a trip to New York performing with a variety show, Jim auditioned on Broadway for Jesus Christ Superstar, singing the only ballad from Pilate (not with the rehearsal pianist, but his classically-played acoustic guitar). Already a seasoned entertainer, Jim approached this new genre in a way to be competitive with the thousands of actors from national auditions. He asked the MC to introduce him as "Jim Turner from Nashville", and swaggered to center stage with his priceless Spanish guitar strapped to his back, Johnny Cash style!

Jim Turner was the only lead cast right from those "hardwood slats" by Webber and Rice AND the American producer, Robert Stigwood. And, of course, with a mere point to their seat row. Jim went on to be the sole original actor to play two lead roles...the deep bass part of Caiphas the Head Priest, plus the screaming tenor of Pilate. After the Los Angeles run of Superstar, Jim decided to stay on the West coast but returned to his country music roots while adding folk and rock to his acoustic guitar and rangy vocals. 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. Jim Turner was signed to the GRC Label, and produced by both Neil Wilburn (Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison) and the late Larry Cox (Jefferson Airplane).

In 1979, he was discovered at a "gig" by TV Producer, Russ Klein, who immediately prompted Jim to audition for his boss, Lawrence Welk. Shaving his beard the very next morning, he jumped into that audition in front of Welk that afternoon ready to change "hats" again, wearing a big smile and singing the Broadway ballad, "My Cup Runneth Over", with the classical arrangement he had worked out on his guitar while still in college! Welk brought the whole staff into his office, as Jim played guitar and sang requests...Mr. Welk even pulled out his accordion, and joined right in as Jim grinned his way right onto the show with a day's notice.

Hired on the spot, he became the show's featured country/pop singer for its final three years on network TV, and it is in weekly reruns in most states on PBS Saturday nights at 8E - it is considered the longest running TV Show of all time, with 2010 the 55th year. On the show, and on its concert tours, he also performed duets with Ava Barber and sang with The Aldridge Sisters and with Gail Farrell in addition to his solo numbers. The popular web video site called YouTube will bring up some amazing songs, if you enter the search term "Jim Turner Welk". Or, Google that search term for two pages of links to individual entries about Jim, with the videos available on the side of the Google page.

During the 1982 World's Fair, Jim starred in the Broadway pre-run of Drumwright, a project of two-time Tony Award winner, John Cullum. This original musical was booked for the next season at the Performing Arts Center, including Kennedy and TN. Instead of playing a "character" again, Jim returned to L.A. to sing, where he went on to headline in his own shows at Knott's Berry Farm, Opryland USA, plus long term commitments on the General Jackson Showboat and at the Louise Mandrell Sunday Morning Show in the Grand Ole Opry House.

Cast as "Jud" in OKLAHOMA for an EQUITY season in Nashville, Jim received exceptional reviews for his acting and bass-baritone vocals. He also has completed several annual tours of personal appearances all across the country, cruise ships, symphonic concerts, as well as commuting between L.A. and Nashville for his recording commitments and, just recently, his Christian Country concerts.

Jim is also an ordained minister from the Church of Jesus of Nazareth, a non-denominational church in nearby Madison, Tennessee. He also obtained his Doctorate in Contemporary Music from Oxford, England in 1993 upon submission of his body of work and thesis. His Master's work was accomplished at the Dick Grove School of Music in Hollywood, with a Major in Harmony. His JCSuperstar co-star, Bob Corff (Jesus), co-ran the original Seth Riggs Method Studios with Seth, and they taught Jim that style of teaching voice to the top Level Five. Jim added voice coach to his list of talents, and started teaching and running his own record label/studios.

Married to the former Terri Lynn Fraser, of La Crescenta CA, an audio engineer at ABC when he first met her; working on the stage of Lawrence Welk, November 12, 1980. The Turners now make their home near Nashville. Jim is on the Board of Directors of "The Sounds of Purpose", a non-profit mission bringing music to those who might never be able to afford music lessons or church concerts. He has turned over use of his label, High Anchor Records, for the use of new talent. His recording studios and performance training studios with 1500 background tracks are available to voice students sponsored by the charity.

Jim Turner continues releasing songs to radio in 5 genres, while finishing his debut Inspirational album, SUNDAY BEST, for full release in 2012. Don Frost of Music City Gospel, a friend and neighbor in Hendersonville owns FrostByte Records, and is acting as Jim's mentor in the Christian Music field. With Jim's first radio song released on FrostByte receiving Christian Music's highest honor, a Dove Award nomination for best singer, Jim continues his dedication to sing where his "God-given" talent leads him, giving back whenever he sees a need.