Local country music fans react to Josh Turners crews bus crash
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Country singer Josh Turner's tour bus fleet was heading down Highway 46 near the city of Shandon when one of the buses veered off the road falling down a 50-foot cliff.
The Santa Maria community is sending their condolences to passenger David Turner, who lost his life in the crash. Seven others were injured. The bus crash occurred Wednesday just before midnight.
As a community of ranchers and farmers, country music is a part of the local Santa Maria culture. Many residents like Far Western Tavern owner Tim Righetti are fans of Josh Turner, shocked by the news.
"They're just country cowboy songs and we are cowboy people, and we live on ranches and we listen to that stuff," said Righetti.
Santa Maria's country radio station Sunny Country 102.5FM has been flooded with calls all day from fans of Josh Turner.
"When someone in the touring community of music dies in a bus crash it affects anyone who rides in a bus for a living. A lot of people were requesting his music, and calling in to show their support," said Sunny Country long time DJ Jay Turner.
"Obviously, this is horrible news, you never like to see people coming out to this area to do their concerts and something like that happen to maybe a band member or some of their crew. Very unfortunate," said Righetti.
Vina Robles Amphitheater where Josh Turner was preforming Wednesday night released a statement to KCOY saying:
"We are deeply saddened by last night's tragic accident. Our thoughts are with Josh Turner, his band, crew, and their families."
Members of the country music community say that fellow fans are like brother and sisters.
"Of course, Josh didn't die but it's still a tragic event in the music world.
PollStar listed it, BillBoard magazine listed it, it's not just a country thing," said DJ Jay Turner.
Josh Turner has canceled his shows through September and plans to reschedule them.
