Five months ago, Rushmere native Anthony “Junebug” Turner Jr. learned his original song, titled “Fill Us Once Again,”  had been included in national gospel recording artist Ricky Dillard’s “Choirmaster II” album.

On July 20, Dillard’s album received two awards – choir of the year and traditional choir of the year – at the 39th annual Stellar Awards in Las Vegas.

“I am so honored to have an original tune placed on the Dr. Ricky Dillard’s Choirmaster II album,” said Turner, the oldest son of Anthony Sr. and Rosa Holmes Turner. “To see so many familiar singers I grew up with watching from afar now singing one of my tunes is beyond amazing.”

Turner, a graduate of Smithfield High School, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from Norfolk State University and is currently attending the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, where he’s pursuing a masters in divinity.

He is the pastor of Pentecostal Tabernacle in Richmond, minister of music at the Good Shepherd Baptist Church of Petersburg and the author of “In the Key of C,” a self-help music instruction book that teaches students to play the piano or keyboard at home.

Turner Jr. has worked with several national recording artists over the past 20 years, including Ronzel Pretlow, Dr. Elbertina “Twinkie” Clark and the Clark Sisters, Norman Hutchins, Hezakiah Walker, Vincent Bohanon, James Hall and Malcom Williams. His music credentials include serving as music department president – Virginia Third Jurisdiction – for the Church of God in Christ, a musician with the Hampton University Ministers Conference and Choir Guild, and a songwriter for the Gospel Music Workshop of America, NSU Voices of Inspiration, In His Presence Conference Choir, Evidence of Praise, and Pentecostal Takeover Fellowship Choir.