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LOGAN NEILLBlues guitarist James Solberg learned his chops from some of the legends of America's seminal music.
NEW PORT RICHEY - James Solberg learned what it truly meant to be a blues man during his long tenure as guitarist and band leader for the late blues legend Luther Allison.
Night after night, Solberg would watch his boss throw every bit of himself into his performance.
"Luther was the real deal all the way," Solberg recalled during a phone interview this week. "For him, the only way you get respect from an audience is to go out, work hard and earn it."
Those lessons have served Solberg well. The 52-year-old guitarist, who performs Saturday at the Bourbon Street Concert Club, has earned numerous accolades, including two W.C. Handy awards and a Grammy nomination.
However, the veteran musician, known for his polished guitar work and hard-driving brand of deep blues, believes the proof of any performer's true worth is apt to come when the stars aren't shining so brightly.
"Everyone in this business dreams of playing big festivals with thousands of people, but you realize quickly that's not the way it is," offered Solberg. "Sometimes you end up playing to a couple of dozen people in a club. But, as Luther always said, you owe them the same thing you'd give the big crowd."
Solberg's love of blues goes back to his days as a Midwestern kid who used to tune in late-night radio out of Chicago to hear the music of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Buddy Guy. By age 15, he quit school and traveled to Chicago, where he hooked up with veterans such as Big Walter Horton, Jimmy Reed and Eddie Taylor.
By 1975, Solberg's reputation as a guitarist was such that he was scouted by Allison, considered by many as the most exciting young Chicago-style blues artist of the day. But even the recognition of playing alongside a blues star wasn't enough to avoid the drain of a 300-night-a-year touring regimen.
"I decided that if I ever got back to music, I'd do it on my terms," said Solberg.
These days, he and his well-honed trio with drummer Allen Kirk, keyboardist Larry Byrne and bass player Danny O'Connor play about 150 gigs a year, mostly in nightclubs and concert venues.
Solberg's new album, Real Time available through his Web site: www.jamessolberg.com) consists mainly of original music and has been welcomed with rave reviews. Still the guitarist feels his best work may be ahead of him.
"I'm still exploring the music," Solberg said. "The thing about (blues) is that there's always some road you haven't gone down before. I'm always looking for those roads."
AT A GLANCEWHAT: James Solberg Band
WHERE: Bourbon Street Concert Club, 4331 U.S. 19 N, New Port Richey
WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Saturday (doors open at 8)
ADMISSION: $7 at the door
INFORMATION: 727 843-0686 or www.clubbourbonstreet.com