Tim Langford has been doing “this” for quite a while. This being music — blues, country, rockabilly; whatever you want to call it.

In fact, putting a label on Too Slim and the Taildraggers, who play in Helena next week, is a near impossibility. One recent critic tried, calling the group a mix of ZZ Top, the Drive By Truckers and the North Mississippi Allstars.

Nice try, says Langford. But not quite.

“I don’t think anyone can put their finger on it,” said Langford, who was once dubbed “Too Slim” while a member of The Studebakers. “When it comes to a description of the band, everyone’s just at a loss for words.”

Whatever their style — they’re at home playing in blues festivals, rock concerts, and country music shows — their success is undeniable. The Seattle-based band’s vita reads like an all-star lineup, having rubbed elbows with the likes of the Blues Travelers and Otis Rush, among others.

Langford, who’s fond of wearing a big black hat on stage, admits that his songwriting has evolved over the years. The group’s latest album, “Fortune Teller,” charted on theBillboard Blues Charts for several weeks.

Langford said the album draws on slices of everyday life.

“I ran into this street guy, this fortune-teller guy,” Langford began, recalling a recent tour in Oslo, Norway. “He just started talking to me… Other songs on the album are also inspired by people I knew, personal experiences. I really like writing songs.”

Langford found musical inspiration at 13, not long after he saw ZZ Top perform. The rousing experience, coupled with his cousin’s borrowed guitar, opened the door to a musical future.

Recalling his first garage band, The Wing Biscuits, makes Langford laugh. He’d always had a liking for rock ’n’ roll, a fondness dating back to Eric Clapton, Leonard Skynard and, again, ZZ Top.

“I started reading about them,” Langford said. “They all came from a blues background.”

The Wing Biscuits may be a thing of the past, but lucky for Langford, Too Slim and the Tail Draggers are here and now. Langford started the group in 1986. Over the years, its members have taken the stage with some prominent names including Jeff Healey, Ted Nugent, the Blues Travelers, Steppenwolf and Blue Oyster Cult.

More recently, the group did a show with the Doobie Brothers, followed by Greg Allman. Langford also plays in a band called the Love Riders, sharing the stage with Robby Krieger from The Doors, Rusty Anderson from Paul McCartney’s band and Todd Smallwood.

“I got to play with some of the guys I used to admire as a kid,” he said. “I’ve got my own style now. I don’t really try to copy anybody, but I definitely take the influences of the people I like.”

Despite their growing reputation and musical successes, Langford and company find time to play for smaller crowds, including those across Montana.

“Throughout the band’s history, we’ve always come through Montana,” he said. “I think we have some pretty loyal fans out that way. We get email asking when we’re going to come back. We enjoy playing for them.”

Martin Kidston: 447-4086 or mkidston@helenair.com