Josh Turner Recalls Losing, But Getting Good Advice, at CMA Awards

Josh Turner made a splash with his single 'Long Black Train' in the early 2000s. He played the tune during his debut at the Grand Ole Opry in 2001, released an album of the same name in 2003 and spent more than 40 weeks on the Billboard country charts with the song. 'Long Black Train' also earned gold certification.

Those accomplishments earned Turner a nomination for the Horizon Award (now New Artist of the Year), as well as one for Song of the Year, at the 2004 CMA Awards. Also nominated were Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Julie Roberts and winner Gretchen Wilson.

"I remember the CMA Awards that year were actually at the Opry house, and I was sitting right behind Trace Adkins," Turner recalls to The Boot. "The Horizon Award category came up, and they were announcing all the nominees, and then Gretchen wins it."

Perhaps Turner was disappointed in that moment, but what happened next surely put a smile on his face.

"I won’t ever forget, Trace Adkins turns around to me," Turner says, "and he says, ‘Hey, man, I wouldn't worry about it … LeAnn Rimes beat me.'"

Adkins and Rimes were both up for the Horizon Award in 1997; Adkins was the lone male nominee. Rimes also beat out Deana Carter, Terri Clark and Lee Ann Womack for the honor.

Turner was nominated for the Horizon Award again in 2006, when Carrie Underwood won the award.

The 2014 CMA Awards air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena tonight (Nov. 5) at 8PM ET on ABC.