Actor goes from 'Blue's Clues' to trying to make the grade in music

There was a point, not too long ago, when Steve Burns was one of the most popular guys on television – at least among the preschool set.

From 1996 to 2002, Burns went on adventures with his best friend, Blue, the bright, animated dog from "Blue's Clues."

On that wildly popular Nickelodeon TV show, Burns helped Blue solve mysteries like "What does Blue want for lunch?" or "What instrument does Blue want to play?"

Together, the duo played with Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper. They sang songs about the mail. They hung out with Blue's pal, Magenta. And along the way, Burns recorded clues in his "handy, dandy notebook."

But that all had to stop.

Because behind Burns' green striped shirt and pleated pants was a man who wanted to step out of his animated world and experience the life of a rock musician

So Burns handed the reins to his on-screen little brother Joe, the show's current host (played by Donovan Patton). And armed with four demo songs, he left "Blue's Clues" to pursue his dream – even though he knew the odds were against him.

"There's a tremendous precedent for people who used to be actors that want to be musicians to suck," Burns says. "Not just to suck, but to do it in extraordinary ways."

True, Burns would be joining the ranks of actors turned singers like Gina Gershon, Bruce Willis and Keanu Reeves.

But not only is Burns an actor, he's a former kid show host. And, really, what ever happens to them? Where is Miss Mary Ann from "Romper Room"? And who even remembers Marc Summers from "Double Dare"?

Hosts of children's TV shows may be adored and loved, but unless you're Mister Rogers, that love is fleeting. Once those kids get older, they move on to bigger and better things – Hilary Duff, Tony Hawk, Jay-Z.

"I'm not trying to negate the image that I'm coming from," Burns says just before losing cell phone reception during one of the interviews conducted over three days, as he travels through Indiana cornfields on tour. "I'm not trying to kill 'Steve.' I'm not trying to deny my past. I'm very proud of it."

Embracing his past is a tactic that worked for Burns.

It turns out that Burns' favorite producer, Dave Fridmann, was a "Blue's Clues" fan. He had just hosted a "Blue's Clues" party for his child the night before he was handed Burns' demo.

Fridmann works with The Flaming Lips, a revered Oklahoma band that's known for dancing with big, furry creatures during live shows. Fridmann heard Burns' demo and put him together with members of the band.

"To the uninitiated, there's a bizarre thread of logic between 'Blue's Clues' and this band," Burns says. "I think the Flaming Lips are one of the most credible rock bands of our time. What are they doing with an ex-kid's show host?"

It turns out the Flaming Lips and Burns share the same musical sensibilities. They both create pop songs layered with keyboard sounds and effects. They both make music that makes you feel like you're on a dangerous drug trip and safe at the same time.

Burns recorded his debut album, "Songs for Dustmites," with the help of Flaming Lips members Steven Drozd and Michael Ivins. And the result is a record that would make most actors-turned-singers turn blue with frustration.

"You know, Mos Def lives in my building," says Burns, who lives in New York City. "What is he? An actor? A musician? I don't think you need to make a distinction between being an actor or a musician. I don't do it in my personal life."

There are many child hosts who, like Burns, don't make distinctions between their past and present lives. Sonia Manzano, who plays Maria on "Sesame Street," writes children's books and designs baby clothes. San Diego's Nick Cannon, who hosted his own sketch-comedy show, still makes family friendly movies.

But, in this happy-go-lucky community of kiddie hosts, Burns just may be the baddest boy of all.

"I'm pretty fearless," he says. "I mean, I used to prance in front of millions of people in pleated pants."

Burns never set out to be a kiddie host.

He grew up in rural Pennsylvania and got an acting scholarship to a nearby college, where he played guitar in Nine Pound Truck. He later moved to New York City and slept on friends' couches while getting gigs like the 1-800-Collect voice-over and a role on "Law & Order" (as an autistic guy who dies). He walked into Nickelodeon studios for an audition, sporting long hair and earrings, thinking he was there for another voice-over job.

When he realized he wasn't, Burns started jumping around. And the rest is TV history.

Burns said he molded his character after "Sesame Street's" goofy Grover and prim and proper Bert.

"Ernie just bothered me," he says. "Bert was much more interesting. Yeah, (Bert) was uptight. But I never changed my clothes on the show! (I) was pretty uptight too."

Burns is letting loose as he travels around the country on a tour that brings him to The Casbah tonight. Still, there are those who aren't quite ready to see Burns' new, rock star side.

To them, they'll always see him as the lovable guy who taught their kids to count.

"At every show there are three or four straight up suburban soccer moms," he says. "I guarantee the last CD they bought had something to do with self help or you are stronger than Oreos. And they just stare at me thinking 'that's the little man from "Blue's Clues." ' And nothing I do now relates in any way, and I know I really disappoint those people. I feel really bad because they leave profoundly confused."

Even though Burns no longer dances with animated dogs, his live shows are heavily visual and complex. Especially for a do-it-yourself indie rocker.

He travels with five cameras, two projectors and a bunch of movies he shot to play behind him as he performs.

Burns, who makes frequent stops at Staples for electronic supplies, knows how boring it can be to watch a bunch of guys stare at the floor and play guitars. So because of his TV background, he uses effects to entertain his more discerning college-aged fans.

"Because my record, I think, in a good way, sounds so big, it's hard to really do that live," he says. "I think whether we want it to be or not, music is a visual medium. I come from TV, so that's one of my strengths. Why not augment and enhance what you do with the means you're most comfortable?"

Right now, Burns is extremely comfortable playing music. He's currently trying out new material and getting ready to tour Australia, where his record is doing well.

Though these days he spends most of his time in a van with his drummer and projectionist, Burns still finds time to educate – even if he's in the middle of an Indiana cornfield.

As they drive, Burns makes his band listen to "Portable Professor" CDs – educational discs that cover various topics like the history of Western thought and religion.

But to a guy like Burns, who also listens to Journey, this is all one big adventure.