Blues-rock guitarists/vocalist/songwriters are a different breed. This one has Lake Charles roots. Last here in 2019, Clay Melton will be performing in Lake Charles at Panorama Music House June 10.

At only 27, Melton has already spent 14 years entertaining fans with his powerful raspy voice and searing, wicked guitar licks that leave no doubt he’s grown up in the school of barroom blues-rock.

While some have pegged him to one day join greats such as  Johnny Winter, Billy Gibbons and Stevie Ray Vaughn, he says hearing such comparisons make him want to sit in a room and play the guitar.

“I think most of the time when people say such things, they mean well, but these are performers I hold in high regard. Mainly, it makes me think I need to practice,” he said with a good-natured chuckle.

“Panorama Music House is really looking forward to hosting native Clay Melton,” said Jay Ecker, Panorama Music House owner. “His hard-hitting blues-rock is sure to appeal to a wide audience and we are proud to host this international touring act.”

Paired with local opening act After Imagem this is sure to be a show you don’t want to miss.”

Melton was 10 when he asked for his first guitar.

“I was riding in the truck with my dad and heard Hendrix’s version of Dylan’s ‘All Along the Watchtower,’ ” he said. “Parents bought him a“wonky Toys R Us guitar.” At 11, he received his first knock-off Stratocaster for Christmas.

Melton’s young, clean-cut, baby-faced appearance is in stark contrast to his heavy, blues-rock attack. People point it out all the time, and he chalks it up to his formative years listening to older, raspy-voiced vocalists.   

His most recent release, “Back to Blue” (released in July 2021), has been played on more than 160 radio stations in the U.S. and abroad. The EP received great acclaim when released.

The Roots Music Report ranked Clay, at the time of the album’s release, on their Blues Rock charts in three categories: the No. 1 song in the world for the title track “Back to Blue,” the No. 9 album in the world on their Blues Rock chart, and the No. 7 album in Texas for all genres of music.

“Back to Blue” is Melton’s follow-up to 2017’s critically acclaimed, full-length debut, “Burn the Ships,” which climbed the charts to No. 5 on Billboard Heatseekers chart.

Melton is quickly establishing himself as a rising star, most recently opening for Grand Funk Railroad on the Chevrolet Main Stage at the State Fair of Texas and sharing the stage with Sir Earl Toon, of Kool & The Gang fame. Past credits also include opening for blues-legend Robert Cray and platinum-selling artist Chris Daughtry.