It has been a long road for guitarist Tony Furtado, both physically and creatively.

With a seldom day’s rest from touring, Furtado has traveled the country promoting his new album “These Chains” — and will soon be making his way through Iowa.

Furtado will add to the atmosphere of The Green Room, 509 S. Gilbert St. in Iowa City, on Thursday with the blues-inspired twang of his guitar, framing a show reminiscent of American folk music.

Furtado says he sees his music as being reflective of American roots but not veering into country.

“I don’t listen to country music,” he says. “I could see how some could see my music being country. It’s surprising sometimes to hear how twangy it is. I think that it could be how the other members of my group approach the music. Some of them have played country in the past.”

Furtado has been spending the past two months on the road promoting “These Chains,” which is the first collection of music where he sings accompaniment to the melodies of his slide guitar.

Furtado says he knew his place was in the world of music since he was young.

“When I was in high school, I started playing the banjo and listening to a lot of blues,” he says. “I knew at an early age it was what I wanted to do for a living.”

Furtado says when he started touring, he realized the job of a musician was not always fun.

“We spend a lot of hours on the road and we’ve hit some disasters head on,” he says. “We were supposed to play in Florida when the hurricanes hit.”

He says he has also discovered music can sometimes take on different characteristics depending on where he is in the country.

“Sometimes your songs can change when you play in different venues,” he says. “You’re going to change things a little when you play the songs so much.”

Furtado says he has played successful performances at The Green Room before and doesn’t suspect this time will be any different.

“I’ve been playing there a couple times,” he says. “I love playing. As long as there are people there, I’m digging it.”

Furtado says despite his long journey of promoting his album, he still feels excited when he gets up on stage.

“I just go with the flow and play what I feel is good,” he says. “When there’s a good crowd and people are having a fun time, that’s why I do it.”

Who: Tony Furtado and the American Gypsies

Where: The Green Room, 509 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City

When: 11 p.m. Thursday

Cost: $10