Listening to Joe Mesiano perform makes for one good time.

When he puts his gravelly voice to his usually clever lyrics, it's tough to have anything but a grin on your face.

The singer-guitarist-songwriter from Sharpsburg draws on the country tradition of bringing some fun to the proceedings, even with subject matters that should be serious. For example, "Family Heirloom," the title track of this second album, provides a chuckle-inspiring take on one option for the afterlife.

That doesn't mean he doesn't get serious. Some of his songs, as he puts it, could "bring a tear to a glass eye." He has a few of those on his latest CD, "You Didn't Hear It from Me," although the title track still raises a smile. Another track, "Jesus On the Weekend" - an old favorite of Joe's that finally made it onto disc - is food for thought about folks whose faith is a matter of convenience.

As far as his musical influences, Joe explains:

"I started listening to country in 1976, when disco came out. I listened to 'old' country and realized they're the songs my mom used to sing when she was doing laundry." Thus, an appreciation for the likes of the Carter Family, Roy Acuff and Hank Williams Sr.

Around the same time, a friend stole an album from his brother to check it out with Joe: "The Silver Tongued Devil and I," the landmark '72 recording by Kris Kristofferson.

"He was probably my first influence on my writing," Joe says, adding with tongue in cheek that he's a student of the "Kris Kristofferson school of vocal dexterity."

Another big influence has been John Prine, particularly on Joe's more fun material. He also cites songwriter extraordinaire Guy Clark and, on the rock 'n' roll side, "I just always loved Springsteen."

While at Slippery Rock College a few years later, he started fooling around with his roommate's guitar. Then, "I hawked my high school class ring and bought my own, after I borrowed $20 more off my sister."

Over the years, he's opened for the likes of Jerry Jeff Walker, Steve Earle, Commander Cody and David Bromberg. And Clint Black, "before he was famous." And Patti Loveless, "before she was famous."

Recently, Joe has limited his appearance to benefit shows here and there, citing some less-than-pleasurable experiences.

"This kid kept coming up to me one night, insisting I play the Black Crowes," he says. "This isn't a town where people want to hear original music in bars, particularly my singer-songwriter stuff."

He's been working his craft in the studio, though, with three albums to his credit, also including his debut, "I Don't Know." He recorded his first and third CDs with Dave Hanner of the Corbin-Hanner band, and cut the second in Nashville at the home studio of his friend and collaborator Gary Vincent. "Family Heirloom," by the way, features the playing of some of Nashville's top session men - including Joe Osborn, who also happened to play bass on mega-sellers like Ricky Nelson's "Travelin' Man" and Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Hey, just a little name-dropping. But remember the name Joe Mesiano. And get ready to crack a smile.