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• Why . America Country Music Our Country Music Television partners wrangled this exclusive interview with Josh Turner and Martina Mcßride, two of Nashville’s hottest stars. By Katie Cook and Lance Smith Hosts of shows on Country Music Television f Wednesday night’s Country Music As sociation Awards is any indication, Nash ville’s music is about star-studded lineups, glitzy production numbers and YouTube worthy moments. But a USA WEEKEND I Magazine conversation with stars Martina Mcßride and Josh Turner show r s that the genre’s real appeal conies from the heart. The music is rich with storytelling and sentiment, delivered with a refreshing sense of homespun sincerity. And, judg ing from the cover shoot, it never hurts that many of country’s performers no matter how- big they get keep their feet firmly grounded. “Are we just waiting on the micro phone?" asks an ever-helpful Mcßride, referring to a prop needed before the photo shoot can begin. “That’s no problem. My husband is supposed to bring it. I’ll give him a call now.” She does, and because her own Country Music Television's Katie Cook is hast of CMT Insider. and Lance Smith is hast of CMT's Top 20 Countdown. 6 USA WEEKEND • Nov. 2-4, 2007 Turner and Mcßride are riding high, both with major nominations *■ for Country Music Association awards. Mcßride is going for a record fifth win as Female Vocalist of the Year. M Nashville studio is just a short walk from the photo shoot, her husband drops by only a few minutes later with the microphone. Shortly after the shoot, Mcßride and Turner dis cuss how honest emotion in music always will prevail over big hail - and showy theatrics. “I look for songs that sound like the truth,” Mcßride says. “That’s what coun- w IfiEi [n : \ llßfl I- It MylL - \y ) I try audiences want to hear. You can always look at a fresh way of doing a song, but it always has to reso nate with the truth.” Both stars will be well-represented during Wednes day night’s aw'ards. Both are nominated in the presti gious Male and Female Vocalist of the Year categories, with Mcßride going for a record fifth win in that cat- Cover and cover story photographs by Russ Harrington for USA WEEKEND Wardrobe styling: Claudia Fowler; Mcßride's hair: Earl Cox, makeup: Marybeth Felts; Turner's grooming: Paula Turner