Bryan Adams cranks out new songs

More than a quarter century has passed since Bryan Adams' breakout album, 'Cuts Like a Knife,' was released. The disc and the follow-up, 1984's 'Reckless' are comprised of innocuous, straightforward pop-rock that propelled the Canadian singer-songwriter to stardom. Thanks to the success from his salad days, Adams has sold more than 65 million albums.

In recent years, Adams' profile has been considerably lower since he's no longer a radio favorite. Yet his songwriting style hasn't changed a bit. Adams, who will deliver a solo acoustic show Wednesday, is touring behind his aptly titled eleventh album, '11.'

"The new stuff is like the old stuff but new," he says. "I think I write the same kind of songs all the time, just variations on a theme."

Adams, 49, continues to write and record rockers and ballads that scream of a bygone era. He still loves that big, whopping drum sound and terse guitar lines. It would all sound a bit too repetitive if Adams failed to crank out the hooks. But he hasn't lost his ability to pen catchy songs.

Expect Adams to showcase his new material, as well as plenty of the hits when he performs at the Carolina Theatre. A generation has passed since hit singles such as 'Run To You,' 'Heaven' and 'Somebody,' were on the charts, but the old tunes continue to attract fans to Adams, who remains an energetic performer.

"I still put out as much as I can live," he says. "I love going out there. I'm fortunate that the fans still come out."

It'll be interesting catching Adams without his longtime guitarist and best friend Keith Scott, a gifted but underheralded guitarist. Adams and Scott have been in lock step for 30 years.

"The guy is like my brother," Adams says. "We love the same music. He has a fantastic sense of humor and is very easy going. Not to mention that he's one of the finest guitarists on the planet. Even though we've been through so much together, I do some things alone."

Three years ago Adams became the first Western performer to play Karachi, Pakistan. He performed at a benefit for underprivileged children.

"It was a fantastic experience," he says. "I met someone there who runs a charity for children and the idea was to go to Pakistan and raise money for it, which we did. The crowds were like the crowds we play for in India, very excited."

Now Adams plans to focus on charity as much as music.

"I started my own foundation (last year) to help people go out and help people," he says. "So far we've done a few projects like helping to rebuilding a school that was destroyed in the tsunami in Thailand, building a recreation center for children in Sri Lanka. I've been so fortunate as a musician. You have to give something back."