When he was younger, blues artist Kevin Moore, also known as Keb' Mo', said all he cared about was riding his bicycle and getting candy.

After a trip to his uncle's house, where he received his first guitar lesson, everything changed.

"My uncle forced the guitar in my hand," Moore said. "He said, 'Here, play this guitar.' But I liked it. I really liked it."

Since then, all the three-time Grammy award winner has cared about is playing in front of an audience with his unique blend of influences, something he's been doing for nearly 30 years.

"I'm a little bit of blues and a lot of everything else," Moore said. "I like people to hear the music. I go there and I give them the best that I can."

Moore will be doing more of the same tonight when he and his backing band visit the State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave.

Mike Negra, executive director of the State Theatre, said because of Moore's 20-year career as a solo artist, he has an unmistakable status in the music community.

"It's a pleasure to have him in such an intimate venue like the State Theatre," Negra said. "It's an expensive ticket at $44, but it's a special thing to see him in such a small place."

Negra said Moore's music is recognizable, which is why he has developed such a strong following.

"You hear a song, and you know it's Keb' Mo'," Negra said. "So many different people of all ages and all types seem to be attracted to his music, which to me contributes to his legendary status."

There were only 38 tickets available for the event as of press time Sunday, and Negra said he expects to sell more tickets today.

As he grew as a musician, Moore said he also became proficient in three other instruments -- the steel drum, the trumpet and the French horn. Because of his abilities, Moore eventually began touring with Papa John Creach, the violinist for psychedelic group Jefferson Airplane.

"I got exposed to a lot of different kinds of music going on the road with him," Moore said. "I had a broad range of experiences that gave me a kind of sensibility, especially for my songwriting experience."

Moore released his first solo album, "Rainmaker," in 1980. After finding himself unable to book concerts, Moore retreated from music, got married and took a job delivering airline tickets door to door. He then returned to prominence when he released a self-titled album in 1994.

The artist said he views his career in two parts -- one part as the time before "Rainmaker" and the other as the time after his self-titled album.

Moore has also acted in several films, including "Can't You Hear the Wind Howl?," in which he portrays the iconic blues guitarist Robert Johnson. He said he does not really count his roles as acting because he usually portrays someone involved in music.

"Acting usually comes for me with a guitar in my hand, so I can't really say that I'm really acting," Moore said. "When I get a role that there's no music and there's no guitar in my hand, then I can call it acting. I'm a musician first -- let the actors have the acting."