Good-Humored Crooner

Few would be overly excited to find out that Arnold Dorsey is coming to town. But Engelbert Humperdinck? That’s another story. Mr. Dorsey, who became Mr. Humperdinck at the advice of a long-ago manager, will in fact be in Oxnard on Sunday night at the Performing Arts Center.

A perennial contender for president of the Funny Name Club, Humperdinck, who has sold more than 130 million albums, actually chose the name of a real person. The original Mr. H was an Austrian composer born in 1854 and was perhaps best known for “Hansel and Gretel.”

The 20th century Humperdinck, who won a singing contest in a British barroom imitating Jerry Lee Lewis 30-some years ago, has compiled an impressive resume. The 64-year-old Humperdinck--or “Eng,” as he is known to his pals--has several Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe Award for Entertainer of the Year (1988) and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and of course there’s that astronomical number of albums sold. He has toured with everyone from the Carpenters to Jimi Hendrix and may have been a sartorial inspiration to his friend Elvis.

With a name like Humperdinck, the crooner clearly has a sense of humor. His song “Lesbian Seagull” was on the soundtrack to the gross-out movie “Beavis & Butt-Head Do America,” but he is best known for his hit “Release Me.”

His last release, “The Dance Album,” featured newly recorded versions of six of his biggies, plus five new ones. It put him in the ranks of Tony Bennett and Burt Bacharach--old guys hitting the right chords for a younger generation. The crooner discussed the latest from his Las Vegas hotel recently.

How many albums have you recorded thus far?

We’re up to 40 now. I have a new one that right now is in the top 10 all over Europe. We’re changing a few things for the American version, but it should be out in September on Universal Records.

I understand Jimi Hendrix once opened for you? That’s a strange double bill.

Yes, pretty amazing, isn’t it? That was way back in ’67 or ’68 when I had already established myself in Europe, and they wanted to put Jimi with someone who would help to build his audience. He was an amazing guy. I remember one night my guitarist didn’t show up and Jimi volunteered to play for me, but I told him, “You can’t go back out there. You just played.” So he sat in the wings behind a curtain and played. It sounded like 10 guitars. An amazing guy, really.

Did Elvis steal your sideburns?

That’s what I told him. Elvis was a great friend of mine and I miss him very much. The first time I met him he didn’t have any sideburns, then the next time I saw him, he had these big mutton chops.

You started as a sax player?

Yes, originally I was a sax player. My dream was to front a big band. One night I was in a pub and they had a singing competition, which I entered and won. I got a lot more attention than I ever got playing the sax. But I still love the sax--it taught me how to phrase. In other words, I do with my voice what I used to do with a sax.

What was the strangest gig you ever played?

In the early days in England, I played in workingmen’s pubs or keno halls. There would be strippers, then me, then more strippers. Those guys were a lot more interested in strippers than they were in my love songs.

How did you end up in the “Beavis & Butt-Head” movie?

My son Scott brought it to me. The creators of “Beavis & Butt-Head” came to see me at the Greek Theatre, and they asked me if I had a sense of humor. It sounded like a fun project. As it turned out, the movie did very well and it was a top 10 single. I still watch “Beavis & Butt-Head” when I can.

Who goes to an Engelbert show?

I’m very lucky to have third- and fourth-generation fans--it’s a very broad group from the young to the old. It used to be mainly women, but now it’s about 50-50. I have a great crowd. People bring their whole families.

How would you describe your music?

Primarily, I’m known for romantic songs, love songs. My first hit, “Release Me,” pretty much stamped me for life. Although I’m known for ballads, I do some up-tempo stuff as well. My last album, “The Dance Album,” was more up-tempo and helped me gain a younger audience.

What’s the process for choosing a song?

The record company obviously recommends songs, and my son, who is my manager, recommends songs, and we get some from publishers. You can usually tell if a song is any good or not in the first 30 seconds.

What advice would you give aspiring musicians?

To have a good lawyer who knows the business and to have someone you can trust. There are so many rip-offs out there, you need someone who really knows the business so you don’t get suckered in.

How did “Release Me” change your life?

It totally changed my life. That song established me in the music business--it was No. 1 in 15 European countries. I went from living in near poverty to living comfortably. That song has allowed me to travel all over the world. When I play live, I have to do that song, and I still get chills. The first time I listened to it, I only heard the music and I thought it was very good. Then when I heard the lyrics added, I knew it was a hit song. That song has made my life.

DETAILS

Engelbert Humperdinck at the Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, Sunday, 7 p.m.; $45 or $56; 486-2424.

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The Ban-Dar in Ventura may be under new ownership, but some things are the same. The venue now offers rock and blues five nights a week, but it still has country on Wednesday and one weekend night; after all, the Ban-Dar historically has been the country center of the west county. To that end, the finest country band in the 805 area code, Caught Red-Handed, will get those line-dancing critters doing whatever it is they do Saturday night.

In addition to having an exceedingly clever name, Caught Red-Handed has some miles on those pointy shoes, with more than a dozen years of experience. The band is adept at playing songs about the usual country music topics of things without any Gs such as drinkin’, drivin’, cheatin’ and cryin’. All four members sing, and they have more than a dozen original songs. Plus, they know a zillion covers, which is always a good thing when it comes to enticing dancers to hit the floor.

According to lead singer and guitar player Troy Robinson, “We like to say we know every song but three. We’re not doing this for the money, but just for the fun. We love each other like brothers and we play high-energy fun. And if it’s from the heart, it’s still country.”

DETAILS

Caught Red-Handed at the Ban-Dar, 3005 E. Main St., Ventura; Saturday, 9 p.m.; $5; 643-4420.

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Legendary blues slide guitarist Roy Rogers will play Saturday night at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, headlining the latest edition of the Sings Like Hell series. Rogers has seven albums of material to choose from, plus two Grammys to brag about, and who knows, maybe he’ll play that awesome blues tune “Heaven Sitting Down.”

As a Bay Area kid, Rogers was a rock ‘n’ roller hanging out at the Fillmore until he discovered the blues when legends such as Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters came through town. Rogers began playing acoustic blues in the late ‘60s and a few years later found himself playing in the West Coast Blues Band with one of his idols, John Lee Hooker. For the last several years, Rogers has fronted his own group, the Delta Rhythm Kings, when he has not been busy as an in-demand producer.

For this show, it will be a duo featuring Rogers and Shana Morrison, a lady with her own musical pedigree: She’s Van Morrison’s daughter. The pair have just finished recording an album, “Everybody’s Angel.” In addition, opener Chris Smither is well known to fans of roots rock. He just released his 10th album of country-flavored rock tunes, “Live as I’ll Ever Be.”

DETAILS

Roy Rogers and Shana Morrison, Chris Smither at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido, Santa Barbara; Saturday, 8 p.m.; $28.50 in advance or $32.50 at the door; 963-0761.

* Bill Locey can be reached by e-mail at blocey@pacbell.net.

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In the early days in England, I played in workingmen’s pubs or keno halls. There would be strippers, then me, then more strippers. Those guys were a lot more interested in strippers than they were in my love songs.”