Black-eyed blues

For the past month, people driving by the billboards plastered with action star Steven Seagal’s giant mug were no doubt letting out a collective “WTF?!” The reason being the signs weren’t advertising his latest shoot-’em-up, T&A, foot-to-the-face cinematic masterpiece, but Seagal’s performance with his blues band Thunderbox at Gold Country Casino.

I was skeptical to say the least. Who wouldn’t be? It’s Steven Seagal. The guy known more for laying waste to a room full of thugs using an eight ball in a sock in 1991’s Out for Justice. The guy who has his own energy drink. Playing the blues.

My skepticism waned after I entered the room and heard the smokin’ eight-piece blues band backing Seagal, who was confidently strutting across the stage with a Gibson Firebird in his grip. Turns out the guy is an avid guitar collector, has befriended the likes of Bo Diddley and had members of Muddy Waters’ backing band join him on his latest studio record, Mojo Priest.

And Seagal, signature ponytail draped down the back of his purple, satin shirt, wasn’t too shabby himself, picking well-timed licks with his thumb and laying down smoky vocals that were made for the blues.

But Seagal was wise to seek out the members of his band.

Guitarist Bernard Allison lit up his entire fret-board with precision, using his slide to great effect. And Jermaine Paul, one of two back-up vocalists (he also sings back-up for Alicia Keys), showed off his powerful voice while encouraging the crowd to “get up!” as the band fired up classics like Muddy Waters’ “Hoochie Coochie Man” and some originals like the head-scratcher, “Talk to My Ass.”

The crowd ate it up. And the chant of “Steven! Steven!” echoed though the room after Seagal and the band exited the stage.

But it wasn’t over. Not even close.

There was already a line of about 50 white-haired die-hards waiting for the 6-foot-4 Seagal, who emerged for the meet-and-greet after the show aiming a tiny hand-held fan at his temple.

“He’s got a lot of people to meet, so if we could keep the autographs to one,” said one of the men in charge. “I don’t want his hand to fall off,” .

Seagal handed off the fan to one of his attractive assistants, who held it near his freshly lacquered hair. They kept the line moving quickly since there was another batch of people waiting nearby to meet the well-tanned action hero.

When I got to the front, I handed him my notebook to sign, told him it was a great show and shook his hand. And for being a master of aikido and a guitarist, Steven Seagal has some of the softest hands I’ve ever felt.