Performing as the opening act for such an iconic musician as B.B. King, no matter how old he gets, is daunting.

Rachael Cantu, a 28-year-old self-taught musician from Southern California, humbly says she hardly deserves to play on the same stage as the blues legend, but her sultry voice and musical talent say otherwise.

Cantu grew up in Orange County playing an array of instruments and eventually moved to Boston in search of new experiences.

After signing to a label in Boston, she began taking her musical career more seriously and released her debut album, “Run All Night,” in 2006.

Since moving back to Southern California, she has dropped her label and is working on her own.

“Not having a label means I can have full control of how my music comes out. It means I do all the work, but it’s worth it,” Cantu said.

Even though she classifies herself as an indie singer rather than a blues singer, fans of King seem to appreciate her nonetheless.

“I’m an odd fit with King, but it works,” Cantu said. “I appeal to both crowds that come to see King – I sound old-timey enough for the older folks, and, as a young, mildly trendy artist, I appeal to the younger crowd as well.”