BLUES fans are counting down to the annual Burnley Blues Festival, which runs over the Easter Bank Holiday. We put some burning questions to Chicago Blues Harmonica Project guitarist Rick Kreher.

What or who inspired you to play the blues? Being from Chicago I was exposed to blues music at an early age. I remember going to concerts as a teenager in the late 60s and seeing the popular rock bands of the time and many of the opening acts were blues bands like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and B.B. King. The music knocked me out and then I found out these guys were playing around every night here in Chicago, so I began going to the blues clubs all over the city. It was great, a whole new world opened up.

Can you explain the lure of the blues? I think the lure is the feeling in the music. Most blues players have their own style that puts their stamp on the music. It is a music that is emotional and true, a trait that is lacking in most other styles of music today.

It's a cliche but are all blues players blue? Is the glass half empty? Blues music is a part of life like everything else sometimes things are great and other times not so good. I know a lot of very happy blues players especially the ones living in mansions. In their case I think the glass is spilling over. And I have seen many great talents die with little recognition and I would call that not even having a glass.

What's you're idea of happiness? Happiness is having just enough to appreciate life, not too much. Also friends and family are very important, especially when you get a little older.

Is your lifestyle one of hard-drinking, hard-living? Do you have to suffer to play the Blues well? I'm drunk while I'm writing this, can't you tell? I am only kidding. I actually drink very little and live a pretty clean life. I have seen many musician friends end up dying young or living with very little due to the hard life. The musicians out there every night aren't suffering, I think they are doing well because they are doing what they love to do even if they are not becoming millionaires.

What's been the highlight of your career? The definite highlight was playing in the last band of the great Muddy Waters in the early 80s. It was a dream come true. I would go to see him perform and literally shake in my seat, and years later to actually play with him was an honour. Something I never thought would ever happen.

What has the blues taught you about life? It has taught me to appreciate the friends I have made by being part of the blues community. Many I have known for over 30 years. You can still be creative and meaningful at any age even in the later years. Anytime someone has music as part of their life, whether it is blues or anything else, it becomes an important part of who you are.

The Chicago Blues Harmonica Project play Burnley Mechanics on Saturday, April 15. For details, contact the box office on 01282 664400.