In September, Dallas-based blues-rock guitarist Jim Suhler takes his band, Money Beat, back to Europe. Suhler has a nice following overseas, and this latest junket is one of the truly aesthetic and financially rewarding bonuses of his solo work.

This month, though, Suhler's busy at an admittedly higher-profile aspect of his career. For 14 years, Suhler has traveled and recorded as a member of George Thorogood & the Destroyers - who perform Saturday with blues immortal Buddy Guy in the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods.

In his time as a Destroyer, Suhler has played hundreds of gigs and appeared on every one of the band's studio albums since 2003 - cowriting several tunes with Thorogood. This includes their latest CD, "2120 South Michigan Avenue," which is named after the address of Chicago's legendary Chess Records.

I've been friends with Suhler since 1981. We met when our respective bands shared a long residency at an East Dallas nightclub noted for Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute bands, bikers, and unnecessarily mean people. We bonded over the lunacy of the experience and a shared fondness for beer and sports (he's a Cowboys fan and I bleed Saints' black and gold.)

Saturday's Thorogood gig at Foxwoods seemed a fine reason to catch up with Suhler and ask him about life and music. Here are some of his comments - obtained by phone just as he was about to mow his East Dallas lawn in 102 degree heat.

On being the lead guitarist for a band where the leader, George Thorogood, is a guitar hero to begin with:

"George has always been very generous to me. Typically, I play the parts he doesn't want to or can't while he's doing his Mick Jagger or Tom Jones thing. George is a tremendous front man, so sometimes I get to play the cool guitar parts. This allows him to do his show without compromise.

"One thing I'll always appreciate is how much I've learned about entertaining a crowd from George. He's the first to tell you he's more Jackie Gleason than Jimi Hendrix, and he puts on a damned good rock show."

On the difference between touring with Monkey Beat and with Thorogood:

"The level of comfort is great with George. The whole organization has been very good to me over the years. Obviously, with the Destroyers, there are bigger venues and more fans, luxurious hotel rooms and a really nice tour bus. There's always beer. Right now we're going through a Beck's phase. That's excellent. Oh: the older you get, too, it's really nice not having to deal with setting up your own gear and the P.A."

On getting to tour with Buddy Guy:

"We've actually done a few isolated dates with him before, so I've had a few conversations with him. How do I even describe it? It's an education. It's a pleasure. It's a joyous musical and personal experience. He's not just a great guitarist, but very few people have the sort of personal charisma Buddy has. Along with B.B. King, he's THE guy in blues."

On his solo work and Monkey Beat:

"Playing in the Destroyers is a fantastic opportunity, but, sure, I love doing my stuff, too. As a musician, I think it's stimulating to work with different artists in different situations, studio sessions, or one-off projects with another musician. I'm just finishing a solo album that's being mixed in Nashville. The Monkey Beat guys are on it, but I also have guests like Kim Wilson from the T-Birds, Carolyn Wonderland, and (Asleep at the Wheel's) Ray Benson sings a gospel tune. I'm thinking I might call it 'Panther Burn,' which is actually the name of a town in Mississippi. I just thought that was cool and strange."

George Thorogood & the Destroyers,

8 p.m. Saturday, MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods; with Buddy Guy; $45; 1-800-200-2882, foxwoods.com.