Lane Turner is a finalist in the 2008 Next GAC Star competition. Visit the Next GAC Star page for more information about the competition and show times.

Congratulations to all of the Next GAC Star Finalists! Now that the finalists have been chosen, we thought you'd like to know a little bit about them.

Meet Lane Turner:

Lane grew up "way out west" in Levelland, Texas, a place he says is so flat you can watch your dog run away for two days. He credits the locale for its musical influence, allowing him to hear Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings and Roy Orbision. He received his first guitar from his parents at age 11 and he learned to play the songs he heard on the radio. Nashville is now his home and he tries his best to make his favorite teachers — Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson — proud.

Name: Michael Lane Turner

Hometown/Home State: Levelland, TX

Born: February 3, 1967

Occupation: Musician/Electrician

Single or Married: Married (wife--Paula)

Children: Yes--a son, Sam

Musical style: Honest, heartfelt, country, classic, cool

Musical instruments: Guitar

Favorite artists: George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, Lyle Lovett, Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, Ray Price

Favorite songs to perform: "I May Never Get To Heaven," "The Honky Tonk Downstairs," "Only Daddy That'll Walk The Line"

Favorite songs to listen to: "Easy Loving," "Misery And Gin," "Amarillo By Morning"

First public performance: At church (not mine, but my girlfriend's) when I was 18. My first paying gig was at a Christmas party for the Air Force Base when I was 20-21.

I first knew I wanted to be a singer? Since I was young, probably around 10, but boy was I shy. It took me awhile to get over that.

Dream singing partner: Pam Tillis