How could Chris Beard not play the blues when artists like Matt “Guitar” Murphy was a frequent house guest while he dated Beard’s aunt and his father played in a back up band for Buddy Guy?

Around age 5, Beard was listening to Booker T. & the M.G.’s “Green Onions” on the radio and picked up one of his dad’s guitars. Surprised and impressed, Beard’s mother turned to his father to say that his boy was playing something. His father didn’t seem too excited. He seemed to just expect it.

That’s the way Beard tells the story. He has lots of stories. And sooner or later they find their way into Beard’s music. His last album, “Who I Am & What I Do,” is a collection of life experiences and musical influences released in 2010.

“That song ‘Insecurities’ is exactly how it went down,” said Beard from his home in Rochester, N.Y. “And the title track was about an experience that really cut me deep and took me a long time to write. It’s about race so to speak. Every time I tried to write it, I got angry. I had to wait to have forgiveness before I could finish it.”

From the obvious opening track “Blues Is My Living” through the many songs of relationships, good and bad, Beard tells his life story through his lyrics. But he extends his soul through his guitar.

“I grew up with blues in my blood and roots,” said Beard. “I grew up listening to the radio in the Motown era. And I really like the rock and roll stuff. I was starting to wonder who the hell I am.”

Maybe that’s a question left for Beard, at age 54 and still looking for Mrs. Right, to continue to explore through his music. But there is no doubt that Beard is a blues artist.

Just as Beard’s career really started to take off with new record deals and tours, he suffered a stroke in 2005. He lost all feeling in his right side and was told that he would never play the guitar again. He had to cancel shows and recordings.

“I had to learn how to talk again,” said Beard. “My dad brought me a guitar in the hospital. I couldn’t play it.”

But Beard said he was determined to get back to his music, especially after hearing whispers about his career being over. After a few weeks, he regained feeling but no longer had the dexterity to play guitar like he wanted. He began to overcompensate with his left and eventually needed surgery on his left hand for tendonitis.

“It was a real wake up call in many ways,” said Beard. “I always wanted to play really fast. But my dad said to take your time. And I remember hearing B.B. King once come out on stage and blow the crowd away with just three notes.”

Besides the musical influences that Beard took from legendary musicians that surrounded him, he also took inspiration from them.

“Murphy used to come our house, and he would be playing in bed,” said Beard, recalling his childhood. “He fell asleep with the guitar and he told me that the guitar needs to always be an extension of me.”

He remembers when Luther Allison gave him a guitar, commanding him to play, then pronouncing that Beard’s life would be all right. He remembers sitting in a Chicago bar with Buddy Guy asking him why he still played when he had all the money and fame he could ever hope for. Guy’s answer was “How am I supposed to get better if I don’t play with young cats like you.”

“That floored me,” said Beard. “He told me to keep doing what I’m doing. He said, ‘Leave the ego, play the music, and love the people.’ So that’s what I do.”

Go and do

What: Chris Beard

Where: Big Easy, 55 Market St., Portland

When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Apr. 29

Tickets:  $15, ages 21 and older. For more info call 207-775-2266