“I started playing guitar when I was 13. I was really into country music, and folk music and rock,” recalls Nick Harless. “My brother came to me one day and said ‘If you want to play guitar, you need to hear Stevie Ray Vaughan.’”

Harless is set to appear at the Eagles Theatre in Wabash at 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 12 as part of the Thursday Night Blues series. And they young gun blues guitarist is sure to wow.

“I was born in Portland, Ind., but I was raised in Texas my entire life,” he says. “Blues is a very big thing there. It’s a very pure form music. Texas blues is a smidge more aggressive.”

Harless cut his teeth as a teenager on the kind of fiery riffs one might hear on the records of Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top, Gary Moore, SRV and other blues-rock legends. Before he was old enough to vote, his talent was landing him gigs in the Lonestar State.

“By the time I was 17 I was playing in bars. It just escalated to what it is now,” he says. “I’m 24 now. I still play in bars, I love that intimate atmosphere.”

In those early days, Harless played with his brother Tony on bass as the Harless Brothers. Harless’s fleet-fingered improvisations, gruff yet soulful vocal stylings and a tendency to climb out into the crowd has earned him opening spots for the likes of Black Stone Cherry and Foghat, not to mention comparisons to other blues prodigies like Joe Bonamassa and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

“I ran based off of straight up feeling,” says Harless. “That’s the beauty of blues. It’s spontaneous. My set list may not change much, but I never play the same song twice.”

Harless has since cut a couple of albums and spent a fair amount of time on the road, playing his own songs as well as old blues standards. He’s picked up endorsements from Dean Markley Strings, Munder Amplification, Hamiltone Guitars and more.

Tony has since bowed out of the band. “Since I’ve been playing so much, he decided to step down,” Harless says, but he’s has assembled an ace rhythm section, veteran drummer Dave Huff and bassists Sam Johnson.

For those planning to check out Harless and his band at the Eagles, expect a hefty helping of quick, gritty barroom blues, with a dash of country thrown in. “Sometimes during live shows I’ll sit down and pull out my acoustic guitar and play some country songs,” he says.

Harless recently relocated back to Indiana. To celebrate his homecoming, Harless has a recording project planned for later this month. “We’re going to be recording a live album in February at the Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis,” says Harless.

For a taste of what might be on the upcoming record, check out Harless and his band at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Eagles Theatre in Wabash. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 day of show. Visit online at honeywellcenter.org or call the Honeywell Center box office at (260) 563-1102.