Jonny Sings the Blues

SAN ANTONIO —  Four years ago, Jonny Lang probably would have enjoyed seeing the autographed Stone Temple Pilots guitar on the wall of the local Hard Rock Cafe more than the nearby Stevie Ray Vaughan guitar.

It was the late bluesman’s old Stratocaster, though, that caught the 16-year-old blues prodigy’s eye last week at the restaurant, one of a dozen Hard Rocks that Lang is playing on a brief tour. He’ll be at the Hard Rock in Los Angeles on Saturday, in Newport Beach on Sunday and Universal City on April 8.

It isn’t just the memorabilia the teenager likes at the Hard Rocks, though. Lang--whose debut album, “Lie to Me,” is already No. 2 on the Billboard magazine blues chart--also appreciates the all-ages policy.

“I hope a lot of people my age do come out to see me,” the blond, blue-eyed singer and guitarist said before his set here. “And if just one of them goes out after my show and buys a B.B. King or Albert Collins record, then I’ve done my job.”

The truth is, most 16-year-olds are still listening to Stone Temple Pilots, the rock band that convinced Lang he wanted to play guitar when he heard its “Plush” single when he was 12.

He discovered the blues, though, soon after receiving a guitar for his next birthday. Lang’s father, who once tried to make a living as a musician, paid for lessons with one of the best blues musicians in their native Fargo, N.D.

Within a year, the youngster was fronting his guitar teacher’s band: Kid Jonny Lang & the Big Bang. By 15, he had parted ways with Big Bang and moved with the rest of his family, including three younger sisters, to Minneapolis because his parents wanted him closer to a large music scene. He signed a four-album deal last year with A&M; Records.

Al Cafaro, chairman of A&M;, said the label is interested in the young prodigy with long-term potential in mind, not short-term fame.

“We never thought, ‘Oh, he’s good for a 16-year-old,’ ” Cafaro said. “We thought he had an amazing talent, matched with a charisma and stage presence, that could make him a star for a long, long time.”

A&M;, however, isn’t ignoring the marketing possibilities that a 16-year-old blues musician could offer. As another teenager, LeAnn Rimes, did with country, Lang’s fresh, young face could bring a lot of young listeners into the blues world.

“We aren’t burdening Jonny with it,” Cafaro said. “But if he can turn a lot of young people onto the blues, then that’s great.”

Lang’s album has sold nearly 60,000 copies in less than two months, which is impressive for a blues release. The title track, an energetic “The Thrill Is Gone”-style showstopper, has been popping up on rock and adult-alternative stations--as well as a video on MTV and VH1, where Lang’s good looks shine.

The album was produced by David Z, who also worked on the debut of another teenage blues player, Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Unlike Shepherd, Lang’s appeal rests primarily with his singing rather than his guitar playing. His vocals recall at times the deep, soulful resonance of Gregg Allman or even Stevie Wonder.

In concert here, the young blues singer grabbed the microphone and flailed his arms around, reaching for the same heights associated with showmen such as Otis Redding or Joe Cocker.

“He sounds 40, but looks 14,” one woman in the audience said after seeing Lang perform.

Indeed, it’s difficult for Lang to hide his age. For him, though, the blues isn’t about who can show the most emotional scars.

“That’s stupid,” he said. “If it was all about having to be the most depressed person in the world, I don’t think people would like it as much as they do.

“Bad things do happen to me. They happen to everyone, but I try to not make that the focal point of my music. I feel fortunate to even be able to be doing this, so for me, it’s a really positive thing.”

A tutor teaches Lang whenever he’s home from touring. The youngster hopes to take the tests to earn a GED soon, which means no prom, no football games, not even the chance to put down the kids who go to the prom and football games.

“We realize he’ll be missing out on a lot, but he’s gaining a lot more than he’s losing,” said Jon Langseth Sr., who tours with his son and is his manager. “Jonny’s doing what he wants to do, and he gets to travel all over the world doing it. These are experiences most people don’t get in their entire lives. It’s the best education he could have.”

Lang agrees.

“Playing music is what I want to do,” he said. “I made the decision several years ago, actually, and no matter what happens, I’ll be playing music. If I have to play by myself for tips on a street corner, I’ll keep doing it.”

* Jonny Lang plays free shows Saturday at the Hard Rock Cafe, 8600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, 9 p.m. (310) 276-7605; Sunday at Hard Rock Cafe, Fashion Island, 451 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 1 p.m. (714) 840-8844; April 8 at Hard Rock Cafe, CityWalk, Universal City, 9 p.m. (818) 622-7623.