ROCKLAND — Like many musicians, five-time Grammy winner Robert Cray listened to the radio as a kid and took inspiration from what he heard and what he saw around him — and then found his own voice and style.

Cray, who is currently on tour and headlining this year’s North Atlantic Blues Festival, said he is still doing that.

One of the few blues artists who have crossed over into mainstream popular success, Cray burst onto the scene in the early 1980s with a unique R&B blend to his blues lyrics and electric guitar.

Songs from the album “Strong Persuader” found their way on rock radio stations, and the 1986 release resulted in Cray’s second Grammy. His first was for a more traditional work, “Showdown,” recorded with blues royalty Johnny Copeland and Albert Collins.

“Listening to the Beatles inspired me to play guitar,” said Cray during a recent telephone interview from the road. “I listened to everything — gospel, R&B, jazz, Jimi Hendrix. And who could deny the influence of Bob Marley.”

Cray said he and his band are getting excited about recording some new music this winter after the touring season. Coming up with new material doesn’t seem to be a problem even after recording 20 albums, with “Cookin’ in Mobile” released last summer.

“You look at what goes on around you,” said Cray. “What’s going on in the news, with your neighbors, in your personal lives. You just have to be open to what happens.”

Cray talked about his music and career without embellishment and almost with reluctance to take any credit for his huge success. He said it was an honor to have been invited by James Taylor to perform with many other artists at Carnegie Hall this spring for Taylor’s tribute to American roots music. He said he never dreamt about being included in Blues Hall of Fame alongside artists he admires. He added that he has the good fortune to have other people to write songs with.

Cray’s band has gone through changes over the past three decades. His current band includes bassist and longtime friend Richard Cousins, drummer Tony Braunagel and keyboardist Jim Pugh. Their credentials are impeccable: Cousins has played with Eric Clapton, Braunagel with Bonnie Raitt and Pugh with Joe Louis Walker. A heavy tour schedule will take the band across the United States, abroad to Europe and back to crisscross the states into late fall. The quintessential quartet will take the stage in Rockland on July 17 as the grand finale act of the North Atlantic Blues Festival.

Cray couldn’t say exactly what they’ll be playing that afternoon. He said he doesn’t use a set list because he never wants the music to become stale or routine.

“I kind of look at that as a crutch,” said Cray. “I call out some songs, and we get to some of the songs that people recognize, but I don’t call out all of the songs. I’ll ask the band what they feel like playing or something might just come up. It keeps everything fresh and everyone on their toes.”

Cray enjoys the festival scene because of the energy and the chance to hear other acts. “It’s a whole different scene,” he said.