Those of you under the impression that all blues singers are hoary old goats or, even worse, resemble John Popper, will be pleasantly surprised to meet Alex Weed. This weedy lad first started singing the schoolboy blues before he was old enough to procure a driver’s licence, and now at the advanced age of 21, Weed is a seasoned vet with a world-weary voice and a heart-breaking guitar.

Weed was born in Anchorage, Alaska, and lived there until he was 14. Then he headed east to school in New Hampshire and Boston, where he ended up attending a little school called Berklee College of Music, maybe you heard of it?

Saturday, Weed will perform at the Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival.

“I have performed music for school projects and recitals since I was 3, but I have been performing blues regularly at bars, fairs and festivals for about two years, which is a lot easier since I turned 21 in December,” explains Weed.

But why is he coming to Tacoma?

How did he discover our well-kept secret blues craze?

“My mother’s parents and my uncle live in Dash Point, and I used to spend summers with them when I was little,” says Weed.

Oh, so he’s practically a native. That explains a lot.

“I really enjoy the Northwest music scene,” he continues. “There is so much good music between local artists and national acts coming through that it is a really neat place to be. Several local music promoters were very kind to me, especially Ted Brown Jr. at the Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival and Jennifer Johnson at Jazzbones. Also, my grandparents and other family will get a chance to hear me perform.”

Oh great, now he’s gonna tell the world about Tacoma. Would someone please shake up some rain clouds? We may have visitors coming. Oh well, it was bound to happen. Blame it on Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival organizers Ted Brown and Mike Mitchell. They’re at it again.

This year’s Old Town Blues festival kicks off with one of the most tempting reasons to get up before noon on a weekend that I’ve heard in a long time — the BluesBerry Pancake Breakfast at the Slavonian Hall. You have to get there by the crack of 9:30 a.m., but in return you get yummy pancakes and a special unplugged performance by the sassy Red Hotz. Smart buggers that they are, Brown and Mitchell left a spot in the lineup open for the pre-pancake nap I know I’m going to be craving. The real party gets started at noon — which is much more musician friendly if you ask me.

Alex Weed opens for Lil’ Dave Thompson July 14 at The Slavonian Hall Main Stage around 8:30 p.m. For more information about Alex Weed visit www.myspace.com/alexweedmusic.

The festival takes place at Old Town Park, The Slavonian Hall, The Spar and The Mountaineers Hall. The band lineup includes: Reloaded, Zero Down Blues, In The House, 7 on 7, Blues Alliance, Little Bill & The Blue Notes, Loose Gravel & The Quarry, Brown & Blues Band, Mark DuFresne, Michal Miller Band and Harmonica Red.

All performances in Old Town Park are free to the public.

For complete schedule and admission costs for the indoor venues, go to www.tacomaoldtownbluesfest.com.

The entire festival is a fundraiser for breast cancer research.