You can hear Kurtis Dengler perform blues, 1960’s rock and original work 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28 at Lopez Center for Community and the Arts.

What kind of music and instruments can people expect to hear at the upcoming show?

I’ll play all kinds of stuff… It will mostly be just me and my guitar, maybe a little bit of harmonica too.

What topics are you most drawn to when writing lyrics?

I guess I’ve never thought about things in terms of specific topics before.

I mostly just write what comes to mind; so naturally, I write about my own personal life, my experiences, people around me, or things that I see in the world. Just like anybody else, probably. Sometimes I just like to write stories too.

To tell the truth, I usually pay more attention to the music and the melody than the lyrics.

What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about performing?

It depends … Sometimes it can be awkward, you know, if everyone is just talking and eating or whatever, but then again those are some of the best opportunities if you can have a sense of humor about it.

I hope I never take myself too seriously. My favorite is when everyone seems to be listening and really enjoying themselves. If that happens, and I feel comfortable that I’m doing an okay job; it’s the best feeling ever.

Who has inspired your work?

The good stuff…it’s a long list. For starters: The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Band, Love, Free, The Kinks, The Small Faces, T-Rex, Peter Green, Peter Criss, The Bee Gees, Beethoven and Sly and The Family Stone.

I love all the Delta Blues, Chess, Motown and Stax records too, with a special shout out to Mr. Otis Redding.

Do you feel like music is part of who you are? Explain why or why not.

Sure it is, I think it’s a part of everybody, not just musicians.

Who doesn’t like music?

I like listening to music as much as playing it. My wife Isabelle and I love to lay down on the floor of our apartment, with just the Christmas lights on (they’re up all year), and listen to an LP [ Long Play 12 inch wax recording], start to finish, side one to side two. It’s the best way to listen to music.

It probably sounds corny — and it is, but the records on the shelf are like members of the family.

For more info, visit www.lopezcenter.org.