You can soak your blues with Seamus Kelleher, who is celebrating 40 years in the music business, with a series of shows that include a stop in Ulysses Bar (95 Pearl Street, New York; 212-482-0400) this Sunday, October 26 at 7 p.m.

"I would first thank him for practicing so much," says Kelleher when asked what he would tell a young Seamus starting off 40 years ago in Salthill.

"I used to practice eight hours pretty much every day of the year when I was 14, and did so till I was about 20. Even today I practice about an hour each day regardless of my schedule. But the work I put in at such an early age and the fact that I still practice today has given me a wonderful career."

When bands like the Stones and the Who celebrate milestones like this, they tour the world in the comfort of their past. Kelleher, who has had a prosperous career as a musician with bands like Philadelphia's Blackthorn, chose the anniversary to take risks and roll the dice.

He left the safety of Blackthorn over the summer, at the height of their touring season, in favor of writing his autobiography. After the runaway success of his first solo CD, Four Cups of Coffee and a nostalgic tour of his native Galway, the bluesman is eager to return to the studio.

"I would also tell the young Seamus to have more confidence in your own material," he says. "Back then, I was writing a lot but I lacked the confidence to really get it out on front of people. There is no greater satisfaction than performing music that you have written yourself.

"That's what makes it worthwhile for me today. I feel like I'm a kid again when I start into one of my own songs."

The highlight of his solo CD tour was a return to his homeland. He obviously left his mark. I just got back from Ireland and it was heartening to see his CD on the shelves of Zhivago's in Galway long after the gigs.

"It was amazing to look out into the audience and see some people that I had not seen since high school or secondary school as they say in Ireland," he recalls.

"The Irish audience can be cruel or kind depending on how they perceive your performance. They're cynical and they want an honest performance. I don't know exactly what they were expecting from me but after the first few songs, I knew it was going to be a special evening. I went from blues and acoustic finger picking to rock songs and ballads. I was concerned I might lose the audience with the variety of music but I think that's what made the show special."

In addition to his next CD, Kelleher is using this anniversary in the music business to discuss the ups and downs of his life in an autobiography. In addition to his success with Blackthorn, sharing the stage with Thin Lizzy and appearing on the Late, Late Show in Ireland, Kelleher also reveals the darker spots of success.

"I talk a lot about battling depression in my early years and how I have been successful in keeping it at bay over the years," he reveals.

"It's a life long battle. I also talk about the drink and how it can get out of hand especially in the music business. It did for me for several years. I would love to think that sharing that story might help some people deal with their own struggles."

For the upcoming show, you can expect songs that span his 40-year career. And no retrospective of Kelleher would be complete without a thorough read of the Rory Gallagher songbook. You can be sure to hear chestnuts like "Banker's Blues," "What's Going On" and others.

Sunday night, which will be peppered with special guests, will only set you back $10. You even get a free drink with that.

Drown your sorrows in cheap beer and cheer on a great blues talent. There's no better cure for the Wall Street blues!