Brad Paisley tour is the beginning for Leah Turner Career turns up

May 17, 2014 at 12:05a.m.

22Not only did she recently release her self-titled EP, but the California native is about to go on her first major tour opening for Brad Paisley. The power-packed bill rolls into the area for a show tonight at First Niagara Pavilion, and another June 13 at Clay’s Park near Massillon.

“I feel very blessed and excited to be there,” said Turner, calling from her Nashville home. “I think people were looking to get some girls on the road, so they picked me. They know that I’ll bring it, that I can hang with the boys but still be a sensitive girl.”

It’s been quite a whirlwind for Turner, who a few years ago was attending a songwriting college class at UC Santa Barbara, where she met legendary pop singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins. The “Footloose” and “Danger Zone” singer was so impressed with her raspy voice that he suggested she move down the coast to Los Angeles.

However, Turner’s time in Southern California was short when she realized her heart wanted to be in Music City. It’s now two years later and Turner’s future appears bright. She co-penned her EP’s lead single track, “Take the Keys,” which became a Top 40 hit on country radio.

“My favorite song is a not-cheating anthem called ‘My Finger,’” Turner said. “We all have rings we can give back, so don’t cheat. I think that resonates with both men and women. And my current single ‘Pull Me Back’ is from an experience that I went through. We are all in a moment sometimes in a relationship where hugging the edge of the bed is a better choice than hugging the one next to you.

“You push away to protect your heart, when all you want to do is to pull back. So it’s kind of that message that I know I’m being tough right now, but please put your arms around me. I will break because I want to trust you.”

Turner said she feels one step closer to achieving her goal, which is to rise to the top of country music and hopefully become the next Reba McEntire or Martina McBride. Sure, that’s a lofty goal, but it’s one Turner has had for a while.

“I have one distinctive memory. My parents took me to see Tricia Yearwood when I was 9 years old,” Turner said. “I remember her hitting this one note where she put everything into it. I also remember a tear falling down from my face.

“I don’t think I even knew what it did inside of me yet, but it was such a feeling of like, that’s what I want to do. I want to make somebody feel how she just made me feel. That memory has always stuck with me.”

Speaking of memories, Turner knows she’ll be creating more than a few this year. It all starts this weekend in Pittsburgh playing for 20,000 screaming Paisley fans.

“You know, I’m nervous but excited,” Turner said. “I have to keep going back to, I know God put me here. My mom and dad always say, ‘The Lord goes before you and the angels go with you.’ So, I’m feeling confident, but you’re human. It’s natural to be like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ Brad doesn’t play to small crowds.”