Tina Turns the Country On!

Tina Turns the Country On! is the debut solo studio album by Tina Turner, released in September 1974 on the United Artists Records. Released while Turner was still a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, it was an attempt by her husband, Ike Turner, to expose her to a wider audience. Although the album did not chart, it earned Turner a Grammy Award nomination in the "Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female" category.

Recording and release
Tina Turns the Country On! was recorded at Turner's recording studio, Bolic Sound in Inglewood, California. It was produced by Nashville producer Tom Thacker. The album is made up of mostly covers by various country and folk artists, including Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Olivia Newton-John, James Taylor and Dolly Parton. The track "Bayou Song" is an original song written for Turner by P.J. Morse. There were no singles released from the album.

Tina Turns the Country On! remains unreleased on CD. The album should not be confused with budget CD compilations such as Tina Turner Sings Country, Soul Deep, Country My Way, Good Hearted Woman, Country in My Soul, Stand by Your Man, Country Classics, You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man, The Country Side of Tina Turner etc. which feature material from the archives of Bolic Sound.

In November 2023, the album was made available on streaming services and as a digital download, marking its first release in any digital format.

Critical reception
The album received positive reviews. Cash Box magazine stated, "Tina continues to be the performer that has turned on countless thousands."

Billboard magazine (September 14, 1974): "Fine mix of country, folky and soft rock tunes done in Tina's inimitable style. On this effort she flexes her voice from its softest to its usual rough tone and molds it perfectly around each cut. Drawing from a wide range of composers from Dylan to Dolly Parton to Kris Kristofferson to Hank Snow. Ms. Turner should gain easy soul and pop play and possibly some country play. Surprisingly effective are the slow cuts, and Tina proves just as adept an interpreter of other's material as she is a singer of original songs."

Awards and nominations
The album garnered Turner a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female at the 17th Annual Grammy Awards.

Personnel

 * Tina Turner – vocals, backing vocals
 * Clydie King – backing vocals
 * Merry Clayton – backing vocals
 * Pat Hodges – backing vocals
 * Jessie Smith – backing vocals
 * Mark Creamer – electric and acoustic guitar
 * James Burton – electric guitar
 * J. D. Maness – steel guitar
 * Glen Hardin – piano
 * John Hammond – piano
 * Joe Lamano – bass guitar
 * Mike Botts – drums
 * Tom Scott – saxophone, recorder
 * Terrance Lane – percussion, sound effects

Production
 * Tom Thacker – producer
 * John Horton – engineer
 * Mark Creamer - engineer
 * Fred Borkgren – engineer
 * Steve Waldman – engineer
 * D. B. Johnson – engineer
 * David Alexander – photography
 * Bob Cato – art direction