Turner performed with Frank Sinatra for eight years, as well as Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Dorsey, Ralph Flanagan, Harry James, Charlie Spivak, Count Basie and many other great musicians of the 20th century.
This core group traveled with Sinatra all over the world on European, Middle Eastern, North African and South American tours.
During this time in his career, Charlie played for presidential inaugurations, the Queen of the United Kingdom and many performances at Carnegie Hall.
Not only did Charlie play for royalty, presidents and dignitaries but also played and sometimes recorded for entertainers such as Ava Gardner, Ingrid Bergman, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Wayne Newton, Andy Williams, Milton Berle, Ella Fitzgerald, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Goulet, Red Skelton, Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles, John Denver, Vic Damone, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.
These included flying (he owned a Piper Cub and often flew with John Denver), photography, tennis, raising great schnauzer show dogs (he named one of his dogs Ava Gardner after his friend), and cooking (he competed with his neighbor Wayne Newton as to who could cook the best bread).
His mother, Norma Turner, generously donated many of his scores and arrangements to the FSU College of Music, as well as memorabilia and one of his instruments.