Frank Tortorici:

Teenage blues-guitar wizard/singer Jonny Lang began to turn heads on a national level with his 1997 major-label debut, Lie to Me. But the boy wonder had already spent years on the blues scene.

Jon Gordon Langseth Jr. was born Jan. 29, 1981, in Fargo, N.D. He grew up in a family with three sisters and listened to Motown artists.

Though he played saxophone for his school band, Lang (who shortened his surname for professional purposes) didn't pick up a guitar until he was 12.

His fascination with the instrument began when he attended a concert by the Bad Medicine Blues Band. The group befriended him, and he began taking guitar lessons from bandmember Ted Larsen. Lang then joined Bad Medicine, and before long, he became the group's leader.

The band changed its name to Kid Jonny Lang and the Big Bang and relocated from Fargo to Minneapolis. Its debut LP, Smokin', appeared in 1995 on the indie Oarfin Records. Lang's mother, Marcia Langseth, sang backing vocals on the album, which included "I Love You the Best" and "Nice & Warm."

When the disc became a local hit, major labels began competing for Lang. In 1996, he signed with A&M Records as a solo artist. The platinum-selling Lie to Me featured the hit title track (RealAudio excerpt) as well as "Darker Side," "Hit the Ground Running" and "Good Morning Little School Girl." Once again, Lang's mom sang on the record.

Lang quickly earned media attention for his age and flashy guitar playing. In a short time, he toured with Aerosmith, played with blues musician Keb' Mo' and even gigged with the genre's greats, including Buddy Guy and B.B. King (one of Lang's heroes).

In 1998, Lang issued Wander This World (nominated this year for the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album), which includes such tracks as "Still Rainin'," "Breakin' Me," "Angel of Mercy," "Second Guessing" and "I Am." The album mixes blues with rock and soul. Also in 1998, he appeared in the "Blues Brothers 2000" movie and played on its soundtrack.

Lang's touring band includes Paul Diethelm (rhythm guitar), Doug Nelson (bass) and Bruce McCabe (keyboards). His sister, Heidi Jo, also a musician, has opened some shows for him.

Last year, Lang covered the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" for the soundtrack of the Kevin Costner film "For the Love of the Game."

Lang is now touring the United States.

His girlfriend, actress Haylie Johnson (who appeared in the 1997 Robin Williams/Billy Crystal film "Fathers' Day") was also born on this day in 1980.

Other birthdays on Saturday: Tommy Ramone (Ramones), 48; Louie Perez (Los Lobos), 47; Eddie Jackson (Queensrÿche), 39; Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera), 36; Marcus Verre (Living in a Box), 36; and David Byron (Uriah Heep), 1947–1985.