Twelve years ago Joe D'Urso, who began his music career as an assistant booking agent at Premier Talent Agency where he spent his days typing contracts for U2, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi, among others, decided he wanted to be in a band.

The first thing he did was teach himself how to play guitar.

Today, D'Urso not only knows how to play guitar, but the native New Yorker has shared the stage and toured with acclaimed musicians like Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Wilco, The Counting Crows, The Wallflowers, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, and Shawn Colvin. He has also released five CDs. His latest, Rock & Roll Station, was pre-selected for the Grammy Nomination Process in 2002.

On Thursday, April 4, D'Urso, whose sound has been described as a "heartfelt, unpretentious blend of Americana and classic 'Jersey Rock,'" will perform at the Goldhawk's Writer's Hang hosted by Scott E. Moore.

"Dylan is probably my biggest influence, even though people usually mention Springsteen and the other Jersey bands, which I certainly love," D'Urso said last week, when asked to describe his own sound. "But I've been influenced by people as different as Harry Chapin, Leonard Cohen and The Replacements. Although I really consider my self a singer/songwriter who also fronts a roots rock n' roll band."

From Sweden to New Zealand, D'Urso has performed rock tunes in over 20 countries. He recently finished touring the United Kingdom with famous Jersey band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. Thursday evening will mark his debut performance in Hoboken.

"I have never played in Hoboken," he said. "I have recorded two records at Jolly Roger recording studio, and I just started recording my next record there. But this will be my first time playing Hoboken."

Joining D'Urso and Moore on stage will be Walter Salas-Humara, the prolific singer/songwriter and founder of the seminal roots-rock band The Silos. Known for bare-boned melodies featuring gritty grooves and world-weary truths, like D'Urso, Salas-Humara has amassed a cult following in the United States and Europe. q

Joe D'Urso and Waltar Salas-Humara will perform at Scott E. Moore's Writers' Hang at the Goldhawk (936 Park Ave., Hoboken) on Thursday, April 4 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5. For more information call (201) 420-7989.