Even though blues stalwart Duke Robillard has completed two national tours and a European tour in the past year, he still likes playing small venues.

Robillard, guitarist of the Duke Robillard Band, says he is looking forward to playing at the Maintenance Shop.

“We’ve been on the road for five weeks,” Robillard says. “It’s nice to play for thousands of people, but it’s [also] nice to be in an intimate setting. It can reach a lot more people.”

Robillard has reached many people through his travels. Apparently, people have noticed. He has won the Handy Award three times in the Guitarist of the Year category in 2000, 2001 and 2003. Robillard has also had two nominations for Blues Band of the Year and Blues Album of the Year for his “New Blues For the Modern Man” album.

“I’ve been doing this for about 40 years,” Robillard says. “It’s great [to win an award].”

With 16 solo albums and numerous compilation and group albums, Robillard says he spends most of his time touring and recording. His shows are diverse, incorporating multiple genres of music mixed into his own blues sound.

“They generally include material from all parts of my career,” Robillard says. “It’s all related totally to blues. I appreciate roots music.”

Guitar has always been an important part of Robillard’s life, says. But, growing up in the 1950s, he wasn’t always allowed to openly explore his talent.

“When I was six I decided I wanted to play guitar,” Robillard says. “My parents were afraid of it.”

In the face of adversity, he says he learned how to play the guitar on his own.

“I managed to learn by sneaking into my brother’s room and playing [his guitar],” he says.

Robillard has drifted between being part of a band and a solo artist since he began his career.

In 1967, Robillard started a band called Roomful of Blues. He then became a solo performer until he joined the Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1990. Robillard went on his own again, forming his namesake band, The Duke Robillard Band.

“Exalted Lover,” his latest album, features duets with Pam Tillis and Debbie Davies. Robillard says at the M-Shop show Friday his band will play a variety of songs from his long career, including a mixture of genres.

Through the years, he has experimented with various styles of jazz, swing, blues, R&B and rock ‘n’ roll.

“You’ll see a great band. Great musicians,” Robillard says. “We’re going to have a really good show.”

After the Ames performance, the band will play a few more shows and take a break while Robillard gets married and goes on his honeymoon. The break will be short-lived, however, as the band resumes their tour. Robillard says his new wife won’t mind his return to music.

“She knows how I am,” Robillard says.

---

Who: The Duke Robillard Band

Where: Maintenance Shop

When: 9 p.m. Friday

Cost: $9 students, $11 public