Jackson Free Press

Rocktwang is one way Jackson native Jason Turner describes his music. Southern rock, alt-country, Americana-whatever you call it, it's a genre that is versatile enough to appeal to many tastes. As evidence, The Jason Turner Band won the 2011 Bulldog Bash contest, C Spire Wireless announced in September.

Self-taught since age 12, Turner says he didn't come from a particularly musical family. "As a teen, I found music as a release to some things I was dealing with," he says. About a year ago, he took guitar lessons to fine tune his technique.

In addition to playing five to six days a week, Turner does his own booking, manages his website and lugs multiple guitars and equipment into a gig.

Turner is expanding his base and developing a more regional following. In 2010, he independently released his first album, "13 Years," available through iTunes, amazon.com, and cdbaby.com. He is working on his next CD, which Nashville-based Americana artist and producer Will Kimbrough will oversee. "You've got to keep stuff coming out for people to stay interested."

The Jason Turner Band performs at the Zombie Prom Thursday, Oct. 27, in Fondren. For other gigs, visit his website at http://www.jasonturnerband.com.