Chris Isaak is not your typical musician. Heck, he’s not your typical celebrity, actor or author, either.

His unique approach to all aspects of his life includes his live shows and interviews.

From his early days with a passion for music to his acting career with the likes of David Lynch, among others, Isaak has blazed his own path through celebrity status.

Tonight, Isaak comes to the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in Greenville for a one-time show. Before you go, get a sneak peek into Isaak’s mind.

Jake Grove: As a musician, how has your life dictated the style and soul of your music? Do you feel you have changed your approach to music over your career?

Chris Isaak: I think if you get lucky and everything works, then the song you write has a little of your story in it. I have really, pretty much the same approach I had when I was trying to write songs as a kid. When I was about 13 I got my money together and bought a tape recorder and my friends thought I was nuts (yes, I was) because I didn’t buy a football.

I had the same idea then — in fact I still have some of the ridiculous tapes of me singing when I was 13: Moody stuff in a high voice. So really I guess things are pretty much the same. And I still have the tape recorder.

JG: How would you describe your approach to music?

CI: Romantic balladeer with a rock band. I never knew what kind of music I did because my record collection and the songs I did were really all over the map. Until one day I was working with Roy Orbison and he told me proudly, “You are a romantic balladeer.” He had a big smile on his face and mine must have been even bigger. I felt like I got knighted. “Romantic Balladeer.”

JG: You have dabbled in television and movies. What made you explore those forms of media?

CI: I have been lucky to work in film and TV. I really wanted to be a filmmaker before I was a musician. I even had the papers and applied to film school, but I didn’t have any money to go and my car was so beat I couldn’t even figure how I could get to L.A. Later when I got to work with (Bernado) Bertolluci and (David) Lynch and (Jonathan) Demme and (John) Waters, I started to think somebody must be praying for me. I am a complete film nut; I watch every old movie I can. When I was boxing in Tokyo years ago I would go to the movies every night after the fight. It really is the same as music in one way, if it works it takes you someplace really magical.

JG: What drew you to work with David Lynch and can you reflect a bit on that time?

CI: Lynch first worked with me doing music for his films and then later I worked with him as an actor. I really like him. He is very bright and very talented and creative in so many ways: music, art, film, cartoonist even. And he is kind and polite. He really is a pleasure to hang around and I always look forward to his films or working with him. He is also a deadly shot with a pistol if he needs to be, but that is a long story better told to a grand jury.

JG: What are you passionate about today that you never gave a second thought to at the start of your career?

CI: Dogs. I was pretty one dimensional when I started, maybe you have to be, but as I go along I realize nothing is as important as the people you work with and life is bigger than art. I suddenly look at dogs and realize how damn cool they are. They are such silent underclass that lives in the world all around us and they are so innocent, sweet and they always live for the moment. You gotta be nice to dogs or you are going to hell in a Pinto with no shocks.

I am also really interested in Japanese gardens and when I’m on tour I try to search them out and give them a look. Seems odd in a way, all I used to think about was guitars and ... guitars. I think a little balance is good.

JG: What are your current projects and what are you looking forward to working on?

CI: I’m doing a live record and I am also just finishing a studio album. I also am doing a new TV show called “The Chris Isaak Hour” for the Bio Channel. I start shooting that in mid-September. I am hoping to have puppets. Puppets have no union and I will work them like tiny wooden slaves while I sleep in and take the credit. Is that so wrong? I also shot a film in Uruguay this year with Winona Ryder and Billy Bob Thornton. They, of course, carry the film and I provide the high jinx and merry making.

JG: Describe the feeling you try to give at a live Chris Isaak concert? How does the audience play a role in that concert?

CI: I have a great live band and love playing live. If you come to our show we show up on time and we have a ball and we make sure the audience is entertained. We talk to the crowd, we get off the stage, we dress up in costumes Liberace would have passed on as being “too flashy,” and we constantly break state and federal safety laws. Flagrantly.

Seriously, I’m really proud of the band and we do a great live show. We interact a lot with the audience, and even if you are in the farthest corner of the place, stick around after the show because we hang out and say “Hi” and sign autographs until people are done with us or until the bus driver starts honking.

JG: Should you be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? Who would introduce you and what do you think will be said about you?

CI: No, I think it would be a great honor but I could think of a phone book full of people they need to put in before they resort to someone like me. They need to keep some sort of standard! I’m just proud to still be singing and filling up the halls. I love what I do and that’s plenty for me.