Make no bones about it – Greg Copeland is a bluesman through and through.

The Germany-based singer and frontman who hails from Virginia in the United States is heading to town and taking to the stage at Mount Maunganui's Totara Street on Saturday, from 8pm.

American blues singer Greg Copeland is performing at Mount Maunganui's Totara Street this Saturday. Supplied Photo.

This upcoming show is part of a 19-gig tour of New Zealand which Greg has embarked on with good friend, guitarist and harmonica player Steve ‘Guitar' Gilles.

Known for his unique voice, Greg says his singing style has been influenced by legendary artists like Robert Johnson, Leadbelly and Muddy Waters.

'When I sing I want you to feel my hurt, my pain, my happiness and my sadness. I want to ask for forgiveness if I did something wrong and forgive people if they have done me wrong. All these things I try to do with my music,” says Greg.

'I don't just sing notes, I sing emotions also.”

The enigmatic frontman has shared the stage with some of Europe´s finest musicians including renowned guitarist Gregor Hilden, legendary bluesman Guitar Crusher, and internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter and long-time friend Big Daddy Wilson.

Born Gregory Andre Copeland in Portsmouth, Virginia, Greg says music was always being played in the Copeland household, while his mother Delores was a gospel singer with an excellent voice.

'I can still remember as a small child how my mother used to sing me a song before I went to sleep at night. She had so much emotion in her voice. Just by her singing, I could tell if she was happy or sad.

'Her perseverance and the love that she showed me and my brother while raising us alone still influences me deeply and has had a great impact on my singing and songwriting.”

Saturday's gig will also see well respected local bluesman Mike Garner open the show with a set of his finest, as well as join in at the end of the night to jam along with Greg and Steve.

SunLive has a double pass to give away to one luck reader who can tell us where in Virginia Greg was born?

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section. All entries must be received by Thursday, September 22.

Greg Copeland and Steve ‘Guitar' Giles with special guest Mike Garner are playing Mount Maunganui's Totoara Street on Saturday, September 24, doors open 7.30pm. This is an R18 gig.

Tickets cost $20 and are available online at: www.eventfinda.co.nz