Blues wunderkind Marcus King kicks off tour at Revelry Room

Generally, when musicians talk about their origins in terms of their preadolescent years, it sounds like they're peering through a telescope into the distant, nearly forgotten reaches of their past.

For South Carolina guitarist and vocalist Marcus King, however, the phrase "ever since I was young," rings somewhat hollow in light of how recently he ceased to qualify as a teenager.

That's not to suggest, though, that he's numb to the irony.

"I'm still illegal in a lot of situations," laughs King, whose easygoing nature and measured responses reflect that, despite being only 20, he's been playing a mix of soulful blues/rock, funk and psychedelic music for more than half his life.

Although he exudes professionalism and confidence onstage, age has plagued King ever since he decided as a sixth-grader that, contrary to a career evaluation that suggested he should arrange retail store displays for a living, he really wanted to follow in his father's steps as a career musician.

"I've certainly had some doors closed in my face - literally and figuratively," he laughs. "Being underage has certainly put me at a disadvantage, as a player, since you can't get in the jams if you aren't old enough to drink."

Growing up, King says, older musicians helped open many of those doors by pledging to watch him, and he's determined to make sure up-and-coming musicians enjoy the same opportunity to soak up his music.

"There are many young players who hit me up who are 15 or 16 and want to come listen to the band play. I always make sure the club gets those guys in as long as there's a chaperone there," he says. "Most of the time, in those situations, I have big X's on my hand [a sign to not be served alcohol] as well."

Despite his youth, King's musical belt is thoroughly notched.

He and his band have toured all over the country, including appearances at the South By Southwest Festival in Austin and coverage by media outlets such as National Public Radio and Gibson Guitars, who included King on a list of up-and-coming players to watch.

On Friday, Aug. 26, King and his band will make the trek from their home in Greenville, S.C., to play at Revelry Room. The date will kick off a fall touring season that will conclude with the band's first international dates in the U.K. and continental Europe.

That international debut, he says, will cap off a banner year that started with a deep dive into producing his second record, a self-produced project slated for release Oct. 7. King entered the studio in January to work on the album alongside his mentor, Gov't Mule frontman Warren Haynes, who described the young musician's potential as "endless."

With so many accolades heaped at his feet, King has more than earned his musical stripes, and he jokes that by the time he's able to legally drink next March, he'll no longer be a novelty.

"I think once I get to 21, people will say, 'Oh, he's just an old guitar player now,'" he laughs.

Contact Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.