School of Hard Rocks

Singer-guitarist Jamie Blake admits that she had some serious doubts about launching her touring career with free performances at 23 Hard Rock Cafes across the United States.

She had visions of playing to annoyed customers more interested in eating and talking than in listening to an unknown performer blaring unfamiliar rock ‘n’ roll.

But, a few dates into her hard-won sojourn, Blake believes record label A&M; set her on the right path.

“It’s been awesome,” the 21-year-old said by phone from her recent San Antonio stop. “These people are coming to see the [restaurant chain’s rock ‘n’ roll] memorabilia. They’re fascinated with rock’s history, but they’re just as intrigued by its future. They haven’t been plugging their ears or anything.”

The Hard Rock circuit isn’t new. Last spring, A&M;’s Jonny Lang, a 16-year-old blues upstart, reportedly floored patrons with his virtuoso guitar playing.

Targeting a ready-made audience makes sense for such young artists, who have yet to cultivate a substantial following.

“It beats a small club tour playing to five people,” Blake said.

Two years ago, Blake was playing for handouts from passersby in New York’s Washington Square Park. She had been so intent on landing a record deal that she discontinued her studies at New York University. Aghast, her parents in Chicago not only stopped sending her money but also stopped speaking to her.

Before long she was pawning her CDs and PC to pay the rent. “One would think it would be difficult, when you’re under financial pressure, to enjoy yourself,” Blake said. “But I was having the time of my life. I knew that I was trying, and that later on in life I wouldn’t have the regret of not having tried.”

She didn’t have to live hand-to-mouth for long. A three-song demo tape helped create interest at a number of record companies, and, within nine months of leaving NYU, A&M; inked her.

The big-label interest is easy to figure. Blake’s music is melodic enough to attract mainstream radio interest yet tough enough to give it some alternative rock bite. Her debut “Jamie Blake” album--a mix of electric rockers and mournful ballads--was released in August.

And because she’s attractive, young and independent-minded, Blake also fills a demand for outspoken female artists, in the vein of Alanis Morissette, Ani DiFranco, Jewel and Fiona Apple.

Blake, inspired as a girl by Chrissie Hynde, Deborah Harry and Bonnie Pointer, says the media tend to unfairly lump together the current crop of female singers.

“I really think that there’s a greater [stylistic] diversity among the women artists right now than there is among the men,” she said.

An espionage film fan and a serious reader (among her favorite novels, John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy of Dunces”), Blake says she will eventually return to college to finish her undergraduate degree. She hopes her music career will delay school for many years. Meanwhile, Blake has reconciled with her now-supportive parents, forgiving them for encouraging her after she signed a recording contract.

“I just think they were afraid of the instability that a life in music offered and the drugs and the whole rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle,” Blake said. “It’s easy to forget all the things that your parents have done for you when there is something that they react to negatively. In all honesty, I can relate. If I had a child who was going to do something that was going to ruin the rest of their lives, I would try all different things to try to get them to correct their path.”

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* Jamie Blake will give three performances at Hard Rock Cafes, on Wednesday at CityWalk, Universal City, (818) 622-7625; Thursday at 451 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, (714) 640-8844; and Monday at 8600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 276-7605. All shows at 9 p.m. Free.