Punching Bag

As a family man, a philanthropist, a devoted Christian, and a passionate sports fan, you might say Josh Turner s commitments run as deep as his voice.

Of course, he s also a double-platinum-selling singer, songwriter and disciple of traditional country music, a mentor to up-and-coming artists and one of the youngest members of the Grand Ole Opry.

All of those layers construct Josh s new album, Punching Bag. His fifth for MCA Nashville, the record is a knockout collection of bluegrass-influenced barnburners, lonesome laments, and the slow and steady love ballads on which Josh s trademark baritone excels.

The follow-up to 2010 s Haywire, which yielded the No. 1 hits Why Don t We Just Dance and All Over Me, Punching Bag represents Josh in fighting shape. Throughout all 11 songs, he bobs and weaves like a champ, exhibiting new range in both his voice and his songwriting. Josh penned eight of the record s eleven tracks, including the rollicking title song that, he says, set the tone for the entire project.