For someone from New Jersey, being in a small city like Cape Girardeau is a unique experience, to say the least. But for singer/songwriter Joe Pagetta, the novelty of small-town America is something he welcomes.

Of course, he's had plenty of chance to get acquainted with life in Southeast Missouri. Karen Bowles of Cape Girardeau is his sister-in-law, as is another Southeast Missouri native, Sheryl Crow. Pagetta, who now lives in Nashville, Tenn., was first introduced to the area through those family ties.

"Kennett was the first time I had been in a small town," said Pagetta. "Going to these small towns, it's kind of fascinating because I hadn't been to them. All the cliches turn out to be very much true."

Small-town hospitality, relaxed atmosphere and community pride, the things urbanites read about in stories about small-town life, have earned less-populous regions like Cape Girardeau a special place in Pagetta's heart.

"It's extremely sophisticated," Pagetta said of rural Missouri. "There's a lot of interesting art that's going on and a lot of people trying to rebuild their downtown areas."

Pagetta visited Cape Girardeau once about three years ago, playing a show at Grace Cafe. After playing once in Cape Girardeau to a lukewarm reception, Pagetta wasn't hurt.

"It was a first show in an area that didn't know who I was. All things considered, it went quite well."

Now those local ties are bringing him back to Cape Girardeau to promote his new album "Joywood," an independent release that has garnered rave reviews in Nashville and around the country.

Those who check out Pagetta's show this time will see him perform in what may be the most unusual venue in Cape Girardeau -- a place called The Mission, located on Mill Street.

The Mission is an old church owned by local artist Charlie Kent. Kent isn't sure exactly how old the building is, but dates it to at least the 1920s or '30s.

Atmosphere is what gives The Mission its eccentricity. Kent and his group of friends have worked to pile all manner of strange, antique objects into the one large room of the old church's first floor.

Wrought-iron chandeliers dot the ceiling, looking like something out of a medieval banquet hall. The stage, like the floor, is made of distressed wood, reminiscent of an old west saloon. An antique upright piano sits in one corner and smashed chairs fastened to old window screens hang here and there. Some lighting is provided by vintage suitcases fitted with lightbulbs, other light comes from candles or Christmas lights.

The Mission has been home to Christmas parties, Halloween parties and a couple of concerts since Kent bought the place in the late 1990s. Kent's friend, Gail Lowrance, said that one musician who played there, Robert Hoyt, called it his favorite venue out of all the places he has seen across the United States.

Pagetta said he's looking forward to playing at The Mission, since he loves quirkiness. And the relaxed and rustic atmosphere of the place will likely make a fitting backdrop for Pagetta's folksy rock.

After hearing Pagetta's music, it might come as quite a surprise to learn he's not from the American Heartland of the Midwest or from the rugged western frontiers. It carries the twang of contemporary folk and country mixed in with pop hooks and, on his latest album at least, some spells of rocking out.

Pagetta actually got his start with a metal band called Horror Time while in New Jersey, but soon started playing acoustic-based contemporary folk tunes inspired by Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and John Gorka, a sound that would carry him to Nashville.

Before "Joywood," Pagetta had actually done a complete turnaround from his early days by putting out an all-acoustic album. Then he returned to his rock roots, plugging in and playing with a full band on most of the rhythm-driven numbers on "Joywood."

"I put out a record before this one that was all acoustic, so this was a huge change to go full rock band on the new record," said Pagetta. "I got my start playing in rock bands, so when I finally got to do a record of my own with a full rock band it was great."

While Wednesday's show will feature some of the music from his new album, it will still be mostly acoustic. Pagetta said he may pick up the electric for one or two songs, but since he'll be playing solo, acoustic will dominate the set. But that's the way he prefers it.

"When I play in Nashville or New York I play with a full band. With acoustic shows it's a lot easier to change up the set list more and tell stories and make it more intimate. When you're playing with a full band you have to stick to the songs the whole band knows and pausing to talk between numbers can be awkward."

This allows him to create a better connection with the audience, the singer said.

"There's a lot of storytelling that goes on, because I tell the stories behind how the songs came to be," said Pagetta. "There's a tradition of the singer-songwriter-troubadour thing that goes back to Woodie Guthrie. That's sort of what you get -- you get the songs and you get the story behind the songs."

Pagetta is eager for the chance to play in Cape Girardeau again. The audiences, he says, are also better in small towns.

"In Nashville, everybody's a musician, so it's hard to get people to come out to see you play. When you go to play small towns. it's a real treat. People pay attention, and I enjoy talking to them and learning things. That fascinates me."

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182