Despite being a big city focused on growth and an “onwards and upwards” mentality, Worcester loves its blues. In fact, the area houses some of the genre’s greatest original and cover blues bands in Massachusetts, and Bobby Hogan & Sugar Creek has always been one of the city’s most beloved blues bands.

Though it might seem cliché, there is something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. Hogan, who decided to bite the bullet and sing a song at karaoke one night, caught the ear of a friend who knew someone in the industry connected to touring Nashville stars. The industry insider told him to get a band and she would get him a show. The band launched in 1994 and, since then, has won numerous awards and has opened for Alabama, Billy Ray Cyrus and Toby Keith, to name just a few.

After a not-so-brief hiatus (15 years), the band got back together with original and some new members and took to the Worcester stage again, gathering new fans and reconnecting with the old ones.

I asked Hogan if it felt different to be back now, in a new time, and he said that “country music sure has changed and is very challenging,” but that when he approached all the old members of the band, “they were all right in from the start with no hesitation.”

So for a band that has been around the bend and back again, one can imagine that there has been a good deal of life experience to be had. I asked Hogan what has been the greatest lesson he has learned while following his passion.

“Every day, life and families change the course of things you would like to accomplish. Band members from 17 years ago have many different challenges facing them in their daily lives, which, in turn, make this all the more difficult to push a project like this forward. Trying to balance family life along with band rehearsals and shows is a very challenging endeavor,” Hogan said.

There is that drive, though, that pushes them all to succeed even more than they have in the past.

“You must always try to keep it fun while pursuing your goals,” Hogan said. Be prepared to hear a lot of ‘no’ answers, but never stop believing in the path you’re taking. If you believe in who you are, others will believe in you.”

And what’s not to believe in? Bobby Hogan & Sugar Creek can cover everything from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Billy Currington, although the members’ favorite cover is Keith Urban’s By the Grace of God. Rumor has it that this band puts on one heck of a live show. Fans respond with cheering, dancing and singing along to their favorite songs. The room is energized, and even the loner in the corner can be seen toe-tapping. In addition to covering some already-loved country and blues songs, the band is working on some original songs and plans to pursue getting those out over the air.

Bobby Hogan & Sugar Creek will play at Halligan’s Sports Bar in Auburn on June 7. For more information, visit bobbyhoganandsugarcreek.com

By Jennifer Russo