A & E

By night, he plays a mean blues guitar, averaging 125 dates per year across the country.

In his spare time -- well, scratch that thought.

"I've maxed out every second of my life," says Cummings, who performs Saturday at the Ambridge Country Club. "I ask myself the same question every day: How am I doing this?"

Because he can't not do it. Because a chance to play a Chuck Berry song at a friend's wedding a decade ago gave him the bug. Because a convoluted series of occurrences led him to an opportunity to record with Double Trouble, the backing band for the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan. Because he's been recognized by his peers, notably B.B. King, who recognized him at King's club in Memphis and introduced him to the audience.

Because blues guitar, unlike the banjo, his first instrument, allows him to forget the demands of his day job. As in building a house, there are no shortcuts available playing the blues.

"I certainly know that success is not is not easily attained," he says. "It takes a lot of work. The two worlds are entirely different but it's hard work that gets you there. It's a whole different thing making a career in the music business versus building. So many things are in your way, so many different people are involved in it."

Cummings has done a pretty good job of overcoming such obstacles, although he thinks he's a little bit too old -- at age 38 -- to be considered an up-and-coming talent. But 38 in blues years is relatively young, and being a bit older when he started at 27 did afford him some advantages.

"There are a lot of young guys in this but they don't have the depth, at the age I am, that lures me to it," he says. They haven't lived long enough, and they're not singing about what they know. That's what I try to do."

Cummings' new album, "Working Man," is more than just a workman-like effort. It passes the test of all good music in that it's immediately identifiable for what it is, but it's not ostentatious or crying for attention. The tempos vary, from the blistering, angry "Rumors" to the celebratory shuffle of "I Feel Good."

Cummings does admit that his avocation might take away from building homes, a business that's been in his family for a couple of generations.

"Every time I go out on the road, I chip away at that," he says, noting that he's also had to turn down gigs because of the business.

But give it up his guitar? Are you kidding?

"One of the really cool things," Cummings says, "is to be able to talk to B.B. King, or Buddy Guy, or Smoking Joe Kubek, who I used to study. Now I sit around and hang out with them. You can't buy that. As the commercial says, that's priceless."

• Most Read
• Most E-mailed
• Latest News