Not too many people are seen walking down the street carrying a harp.

The Ironton Council for the Arts will be bringing Californian harpist Greg Buchanan to the Ohio University Southern Bowman Auditorium 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

"I don't think we've ever had a harpist," ICA member Bruce Davis said. "It's not like putting a trombone in a case and walking away. They're difficult to move."

Davis said he has not heard Buchanan play live, but said he was impressed after hearing him play through files available on his Web site.

Buchanan began playing the harp at age 9 and spent four years in the United States Naval Band before entering the southern California music scene. According to his biography, Buchanan's life then descended into alcoholism, drug abuse, dabbling in the occult and brief experiences with the law. He left the music scene in 1981 and entered college to get his life in order.

During this time, the biography continued, a friend invited Buchanan to a Christian concert, which led him to convert to Christianity. He has now entered a "harp ministry" to spread the religion.

Buchanan is also the first harpist in the world to own and play the electronic grand harp, which was developed and hand-crafted by Lyon and Healy of Chicago. During performances, he performs on this as well as a Celtic and a Davidic harp.

Davis said Buchanan's variety of musical styles, which include classical and Christian, make him attractive to a potential listener. Besides that, the fact remains that most people in this area have probably never heard a harpist play live, he said.

Tickets will be sold at the door, with $7 prices for adults and $6 for seniors and students.