Singing and playing R&B guitar at venues like the Fox and Hollywood Bowl must beat the heck out of working on the railroad.

James Hunter, who opens for Willie this Saturday, is a rising UK star who once worked for the railroad in his native Colchester. His duties? “Digging holes that no one else wanted to dig.” He said he stuck with music through the years simply because he didn’t want to go back to the railroad.

While his brother is also a musician, Hunter’s musical talent apparently did not come from his parents.

“I read somewhere that I was from a musical family, but that’s patently not true,” said Hunter, reached while walking in Manhattan. “My mom can’t carry a tune in a basket with the lid on it. My brother is musical though. He’s a folk musician in the Midlands area. He’s very good.”

Hunter’s music evokes classic ’50s and ’60s R&B (i.e. Jackie Wilson) with subtle infusions of ska and rhumba. He’s got the perfect voice for the material, crackling and playful with some James Brown squeals peppered in.

His new album, “The Hard Way” was released Tuesday, following up his 2006 Grammy nominated record “People Gonna Talk.” It has a classic feel with a full compliment of horns, pianos and strings. New Orleans piano legend Allan Toussaint plays and sings on several tracks. The chilled out ska track “Carina” is alone worth the price of the disc. In addition to record stores, the album can be bought at Starbuck’s.

Another soulman from that part of the world, Van Morrison, is on board with Hunter. He called him “one of the best voices, and best kept secrets, in British R&B and soul.” Hunter paid his dues singing backup for Morrison in years past.

Hunter, in his mid-40s, counts locals Chuck Berry and Ike Turner among his influences.

“I was very into Ike Turner. I wasn’t too upset when he got the Grammy because I nicked all of his ideas anyway,” said Hunter. “It was only fair that he won it.”

Willie Nelson with James Hunter and 40 Points

Fox Theatre, Saturday, 7:30 pm

$38-$53

http://www.myspace.com/jameshuntermusic