WEST CHESTER — Cape May resident and international musician Jeffrey Gaines would prefer to not to be called a “rock star.”

Gaines who is appearing at the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center on Saturday night would instead classify himself as a “folk-rock-soul” artist.

With early influences such as Kiss, Cheap Trick, the Beatles and Elvis, Gaines was influenced by singer songwriters from 1967-1974. He particularly identifies with Aretha Franklin’s version of the Carole King tune, “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman.”

With a raspy voice, Gaines, 58, said during a phone interview that he was “a kid that wanted to sound like Rod Stewart.”

The guitarist has internationally released six studio albums and two live albums. He tours all year long — both in America and in Europe.

He talked about writing.

“You need to do it to help you understand what you are going through,” he said.

Gaines said that he is expressing things the audience is unable to express for themselves.

“You put words to their feelings,” he said.

Coatesville musician Tommy Froelich will open for Gaines at Uptown.

Froelich, 57, plays 110 gigs per year in local clubs and has released two albums.  He said during a phone interview that he performs original music along with a mix of Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll and the Blues.

He got back into music fulltime after losing a “corporate gig.” For his day job, he works at an instrument repair business.

He was chosen as the 2015 WMGK radio station House Band and still plays for many of those he performed for then.

“Everything I do has got to do with music,” Froelich said. “Music is therapy for the soul.”

The Saturday Oct. 28 show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 and $40 at the door. Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center is within easy walking distance of parking and dozens of restaurants, at 226 N. High St., West Chester. For more information on the theater call, 610-356-2787 or go to uptownwestchester.org

For more on Gaines go to jeffreygaines.com and for Froelich go to ReverbNation.com