Jeff Black isn’t about being a rock star.

While on tour for his fourth album, “Tin Lily,” Black has been raising money for two little girls named Kate and Carolyn, who are inflicted with a rare disease called Niemann-Pick Disease.

Niemann-Pick is a genetic disease that causes the body to have problems breaking down enzymes. It often leads to neurological damage and sometimes death.

Black baby-sat the children several times in the past and says he feels a strong personal connection to the cause.

“They are really close friends,” Black says. “I’ve known them since they were born.

“They taught my son how to crawl. It’s really hard to watch – I feel very blessed. My children are as healthy as horses.”

Kate and Carolyn aren’t the only people that have inspired Black. Family has inspired him as well. He says his family was very much involved in music and his background has helped him write songs.

“I’m inspired by music,” Black says.

“I didn’t see a lot of security in anything else. It gave me a sense of self. I was very fortunate to find music.”

Black now finds himself in the position of helping others find music, even when money is tight.

“Folks nowadays are holding onto money, but they’re coming to the show,” Black says.

“With all of the TV and radio out there, people are looking for something real.”

Black says he is enjoying himself on the tour – the audiences are wonderful and he appreciates the kindness they show him.

“People are the same everywhere you go,” Black says.

“I depend a lot on the kindness of strangers. I’m always overwhelmed with how open people are with me at shows.”

Black says the touring has kept him busy and he doesn’t get bored, despite all of the traveling.

In fact, he says he enjoys all of the traveling that comes with touring – he spends a majority of his tour driving.

“I spend more time driving than anything,” Black says.

“I like seeing the countryside; it keeps me entertained.”

Black says he tries to shine through his lyrics.

“It doesn’t seem hard,” he says. “I use writing as a terminal. I document. I like the thought of people taking my music and applying it to their life. It all seems easy to me. It’s the rest of the world I have a problem with.”

Black says there are a few things going on in his musical career at the moment. Four of Black’s songs will appear in a movie called “Steel City,” directed by Brian Junn.

“Music will always be my future,” Black says. “I’ll just keep keeping on.”