April 1, 2001

By Wayne Bledsoe, News-Sentinel entertainment writer

Guitar wizard Jonny Lang isn't so sure about taking a GED exam.
"There's something scary about being able to take a six-hour test and being ready for society," Lang says with a chuckle.

Maybe Lang doesn't have his high school diploma yet, but he has the experience-equivalent of a master's degree in music performance.

The 20-year-old Fargo, N.D., native (later transplanted to Minneapolis) was becoming a local legend at age 13, when he began playing professionally. His first nationally released album, "Lie to Me" (A&M), was released just as Lang was turning 16.

The disc won critical raves, garnered platinum sales and landed Lang stints opening for the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith, among other heavyweights. In addition, Lang was invited to perform onstage with his blues heroes, including B.B. King, Luther Allision and Buddy Guy.

Lang took up guitar after abandoning saxophone at age 11. His guitar teacher, Ted Larsen, said he would only teach Lang if they stuck with the blues style. Larsen loaned his charge a steady supply of blues discs for inspiration.

It was Albert King's 1968 album "Live Wire/Blues Power" that really set Lang on the road.

"I can remember wearing that one out," says Lang. "It was a borrowed CD, so I had to give it back!"

While an observer would think that Lang caught on to the guitar incredibly fast, the musician himself was rarely happy with his progress.

"I almost gave it up on several occasions," says Lang. "And some nights I'm still trying to find my place -- my comfort zone. I'm just never satisfied -- but I think that's just the way I am."

Lang self-released one disc, "Smokin'," in 1995, but it was "Lie to Me," produced by one-time Prince sideman David Z, that shot the then-teenager to national prominence.

Lang says he was amazed that the album did so well so fast, and while he had always hoped to have a national tour, he never expected that it would happen so soon. Never a particularly good student, Lang knew he couldn't keep up high school studies and tour to support the album.

"I talked to my parents and said, 'I can't do both of these things right now,'" remembers Lang in a call from his Orlando hotel. "We kind of agreed that I would graduate later on. And I still haven't. A real great inspiration for all those young kids out there. I don't promote that at all."

While he has no regrets about the life he's chosen and he loves playing, Lang says being on the road is not glamorous and that being away from family and friends for so long can be hard.

"Now I have a fiancee, and that's really tough -- just trying to be two places at once," says Lang. "But we've known each other for about five years, so she's used to that."

While "Lie to Me" showcased Lang as a great player, his 1998 sophomore disc, "Wander This World" (A&M), proved that he was not afraid to grow as an artist. His maturity showed in his songwriting, playing and singing -- which took on influences from classic soul singers of the 1960s, 1970s funk and hard rock.

Lang says he hopes his next album will appear in the fall.

"It's been a real work in progress," he says. "We've worked on it all of last year and this year."

If it shows the influence of his current passions, singer-songwriter James Taylor, jazz organist Jimmy Smith and jazz guitar great Wes Montgomery, Lang says it will be "through osmosis" rather than anything intentional.

And he looks to B.B. King for long-term inspiration.

"There's just something about that guy," says Lang. "Musically he's just incredible. And he's so gracious with people ... He's just such a sweet person, and he seems like he would've been exactly the same way 30, 40, 50 years ago. He's exactly what I'd like to be."

Still, Lang says he doesn't have any list of goals he'd like to achieve.

"My dream already came true," says Lang. "I met my goal a long time ago when I was able to play in a band. Everything since then has just been extra É I'm just going to keep doing what I love doing everyday -- and for the right reasons."

WHO: Jonny Lang with Indigenous

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3

WHERE: Tennessee Theatre

TICKETS: $30 plus service charge. Call 656-4444.

Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 865-342-6444 or bledsoe@knews.com.