Born in East LA. Father in prison for embezzlement. Mother on welfare. Shoplifting at age 9. Running with gangs at age 15. Mother at age 17. Welfare mom, turned sex worker, turned porn star. Dreams of singing, and the rejections of the music industry.

If that rough road doesn't qualify a girl to sing the blues, I don't know what does. With her resume of hard knocks, big, beautiful diva Candye Kane belts them out from the heart. Though she started out with punk, and later moved into country, she bonded with the blues when she "realized that the blues would forgive me for my controversial past."

And it isn't just her past that's controversial. Mazzotti's in Arcata, where she is to sing on Tuesday, has censored a poster in its window featuring her copious cleavage. When contacted, management said that it was responding to complaints by "local customers" who were offended by the image. On her blog, Candye fired back. "Why is a fat girl's cleavage more offensive than a thin girl's cleavage? Cher, Madonna, Brittany Spears ... and countless others have all worn dresses cut so low that another inch would show their navel, pubic hair or lack thereof. ... But if a fat girl does it, suddenly we have crossed the line of decency."

But don't think for a moment that she's on a hard-luck kick. On the contrary, with songs entitled "Big Fat Mamas are Back in Style" and "Estrogen Bomb," Candye is all about female empowerment and self-love. And with titles such as "Masturbation Blues," she lets her playful side out for a romp.

Candye works her powerful voice through a range of styles. "What Happened to the Girl" is a poppy tune, written by one of her sons. "I Could Fall For You" and "Misunderstood" are sentimental, dreamy numbers, a la Patsy Cline. "It Must Be Love" is classic big band, with backup singers and a horn section. "Peace on Earth" is pure gospel.

Her latest album is "White Trash Girl." Her previous six albums have made her the seven-time winner of the Best Blues Band at the San Diego Music Awards, where she also beat out Jewel for Artist of the Year. She was the 2004 winner of the Trophees France International Award for Best International Blues Chanteuse and Artist of the Year, and the winner of the California Music Award for Best Swing/Cabaret Artist.

Between being a single mother raising a son, recording and touring 250 days a year, Candye advocates for sex workers. "I hope to inspire others to live their dreams and love and accept themselves in the process. ... I had many obstacles, being a large-sized, teenage welfare mom (and) outspoken, bisexual porn star raised in a dysfunctional household in the ghetto. But I know that if I can be successful as a singer, anyone can achieve great things."