Jackie Greene admires the legendary rock n’ roll lifestyle, but he prefers to do so from afar. The 24-year-old up-and-coming singer-songwriter, who plays at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in the University Union Ballroom, said that, despite a new label, seven self-written records and a place on the top 40 Americana chart, he is “definitely not the rock star cliche.”

“Some people think that since I’m on stage for a living, I’m really outgoing,” Greene said. “But I’m actually really shy.”

The Sacramento-based Greene is certainly fooling fans worldwide. The recently released “American Myth,” his first CD from label Verve Forecast, has garnered critical acclaim as he has toured the country singing sold-out shows. Fans admire Greene’s well-rounded musical talents: he commands the stage with the fiddle, violin, guitar and keytar, a keyboard that is played like a guitar, in addition to his smoky vocals.

Program Director for XM Satellite Radio’s X-Country Channel, Jessie Scott, has been a fan of Greene’s since he stepped into her studio in 2003. Although she was already impressed with his music, the face-to-face meeting left Scott “totally blown away.” Greene, she recalled, immediately stood out from other musicians.

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Story image 2″If I’m not in the studio, I get upset,” Greene said. “And if I’m not on stage, I get upset.” Greene commands the stage with the fiddle, violin, guitar and keytar, in addition to his smoky vocals.File Photo by Angel Lopez/The State Hornet”He was so shy he wouldn’t even look at me when he came in,” Scott said in a telephone interview from the XM headquarters in Washington, D.C. “He even played with his back to the glass in the studio so you couldn’t see him.”

While Greene’s stage presence has evolved in the past three years, he remains committed to his unique sound which combines blues, country and rock.

Scott compared him to blues-rock guitarist Jonny Lang mixed with a touch of Bob Dylan.

“He’s got the young energy and freshness of Lang, but he’s also got this really old soul and great lyrics that are reminiscent of Dylan,” Scott said. “He’s fascinating.”

Chris Webster, another local Americana artist who opens for Greene’s show, agreed.

“Jackie is an amazingly talented musician,” Webster said. “He’s fun to watch and even better to listen to.”

While an Aug. 2 appearance on Conan O’Brien catapulted Greene into the national spotlight, this isn’t the first time his talents have earned recognition. The Rolling Stone’s Critics’ Choice List named an earlier record the “Top Ten Best Albums of 2002,” while he also took home the “Best Roots/Blues Album of 2003” at the California Music Awards.

Greene has been drawn to music for as long as he can remember. Born in Monterey but raised in Placerville, the self-taught musician doesn’t recall a pivotal moment that ignited his music career. Instead, it just always seemed right.

“I’ve been playing since I was very little,” Greene said. “I don’t really know why I started playing, but it was probably out of boredom.”

Now Greene believes he has found the career he was destined to have. With musical influences ranging from Hank Williams Sr. to Tom Waits to The Rolling Stones, he can’t imagine doing anything else.

“If I’m not in the studio, I get upset,” Greene said. “And if I’m not on stage, I get upset.”

But don’t count on Greene’s music as an outlet for his emotions. He said songs such as “So Hard To Find My Way,” “I’m So Gone” and “Hollywood” are inspired by other people, places and music.

“It comes from just life in general,” Greene said.

This outlook, Scott said, makes Greene a rare find in the business. Although he isn’t much older than the typical college student, he plays well beyond his years and his maturity is evident in his lyrics. This puts Greene in a unique position, Scott said.

“He’s sure of himself, but he’s testing the water a bit to see if it’s really ice, or if he’s going to fall through,” Scott said.

For now, Greene is just focused on the ride.

While a life on the road might seem glamorous, according to Greene, it isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.

“It’s pretty schedule-oriented,” Greene said. “You play, you eat at Cracker Barrel. It can actually be pretty boring.”

But the reactions that Greene gets from fans make living out of a suitcase worthwhile.

“Old fans usually just jump right in at his shows,” Kathy St. Cyr, the assistant vice president of Greene’s management, Dig Music, said. “New fans are absolutely spellbound by his talent. I hear them asking, ‘Who is this kid?'”

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Story image 3Greene, whose sound combines blues, country and rock, strums his guitar.Courtey Photo/Jackie GreeneGreene has come a long way since selling his first record out of the trunk of his car. His goals for the future are to keep writing and recording music because, in this business, he said, “it’s a matter of just staying alive.”

Scott, who also sits on the board of directors of the Americana Music Association, said Greene has nothing to worry about.

“He’s so talented,” Scott said. “With him, the sky really is the limit.”

For now, she is enjoying watching Greene’s career take off.

“It’s fabulous when you get hooked to an artist and then watch them grow,” Scott said.

When he brings his Americana music, which has its roots in the traditions of American country that originated with Elvis Presley, to Sacramento State tomorrow, Greene expects a “chill” atmosphere. Although he has traveled as far away as London and Montreal, Canada, he is looking forward to a college venue.

“It’s a lot more fun to play for this age group,” Greene said. “It’s cool to see all the students come out.”

Tickets cost $15 for students, $20 for the general public. To purchase, contact the Sac State Ticket Office at (916) 278-4323 or www.tickets.com.