The venues that local songwriter R. Scott Bryan (not to be confused with Scott H. Biram) is playing these days are a tad bit smaller than the arenas he played while touring with Sheryl Crow.

And that suits him just fine.

Bryan had a good ride with Crow back in the 1990s and was with her when her early single, “All I Wanna Do,” became recognizable to anyone with a pulse. After Bryan’s wife died of breast cancer, though, it was time to return home and take care of his daughter.

Since then, he has played locally and done mini tours with Jimmy Buffet Coral Reefer Peter Mayer.

He’ll put out his second solo CD, It’s Your Life, this Saturday at the Chapel. With high quality production from local label Red Pill, Bryan’s music would appeal to fans of Paul Simon and Bill Morrissey.

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RC: What influences went into this album?

RSB: It has a slightly Leon Redbone, New Orleans type of vibe. I feel like it has more of a positive tone than my first album, which was written when I was still dealing with loss and change. This is more about coming out on the other side and being OK.

RC: Will you have a full band live?

RSB: Yes, the band will be seated singer-songwriter style. I want it to be about the songs, vocals and harmonies. We’re not cranking up and blowing people away. It will be really rootsy and blue collar. It should appeal to the same person who appreciates Bruce Springsteen. There is a lot of honor in that. I grew up with the Beatles and they put such great songwriting, craft and care into each song. I’m trying to get back to that kind of thing.

RC: How did you land the Sheryl Crow gig?

RSB: Years ago I was doing some industrial commercial things. On a few McDonald’s and Maritz commercials, she was the female singer and I was the male singer. We also were backup singers for Peter Mayer. When her first album was done in 1993, she remembered me and came out to the Midwest to start rehearsing. By 1994, we were playing venues like the Woodstock anniversary festival, which was really cool. Standing outside the photo tent and seeing Crosby Stills and Nash to my right was just wild. Over the years, we toured with the Eagles, Rolling Stones, Elton John, Eric Clapton sat in with us for a while… I got to meet a lot of my heroes – it was a dream come true in many ways. I was fortunate to take that ride.

R. Scott Bryan with Kevin Bilchik

7:30 pm, Saturday

The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Dr. (near Skinker and Wydown)

$10, all ages, adults get two free drinks

www.myspace.com/rscottbryan

www.chapel-venue.org

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