Blues Guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd Keeping Busy In 2025
Coming to Charleston With Experience Hendrix Tour, Plus New Music & Tour With Legendary Bobby Rush
Jeff Walker, Entertainment Writer
Although his father helped fuel his interest in music, American blues rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd professes meeting the great Stevie Ray Vaughn at age seven (1984) helped stoke the fire. "I was already drawn to the guitar, but meeting Stevie Ray lit a spark in me that hasn't gone out since. The passion and the intensity to which me played was phenomenal." 
While Vaughn passed (1990) just six short years after the two met, Shepherd extends credit where credit is due. "Stevie Ray made me want to be the best guitarist I could be. He's easily one of my biggest influences ever."
Having dedicated his craft to blues, at 47 Shepherd dispels any notion that it was his main interest growing up. "I'm sure there are many who might assume that's all I listened to. Truth is I was drawn to all types of music and still am. My dad was in radio, so I was exposed to rock, country, R&B, and jazz." Although his admiration runs full tilt, not so with his signature instrument. "However, when it comes to playing guitar, the blues come to me naturally."
His gift didn't come without commitment. "I taught myself the first couple of years, and we had a family friend who showed me a couple things." He goes on to say. "Believe it or not, our middle school had a guitar teacher. It was more about beginning the guitar and reading music. By the time I took the class I had already mastered the basics, but I still took something away from it."
He took a few lessons from a guy at a music store but ultimately opted for the 'school of hard rocks' when it came to the guitar. "While other kids were playing sports or getting together after school, I was just going home and practicing for hours at a time. Since I picked up the guitar at an early age, I established my own method of playing, so I went with it." 
Determination paid off. By 13 Shepherd was gaining industry attention, signing a record deal by age 16. Two years later at the tender age of 18, he released his solo debut 'Ledbetter Heights' with the album spending 20 weeks topping Billboard's blues chart. Recognition and respect followed.
Shepherd's 2007 CD '10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads' was also released as a DVD documentary film. The dual effort features Shepherd on a 10 day venture, meeting iconic blues pioneers with the intent of spotlighting veterans of the music genre.
He admits the journey was epic. "Absolutely. In my view, it's monumental." Although Shepherd performed 'The Thrill Is Gone' with the legendary BB King and jammed with the Muddy Waters Band on Shepherds 'Grindin' Man', the project was a means of paying tribute to less familiar artists. "I wanted to use my platform to help shine the light on a few unsung blues heroes who never broke out into the mainstream. Guys like Neat Pattman and Cootie Stark." 
Shepherds project was well received. '10 Days Out' which includes 15 tracks was nominated for two Grammys including Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video and Grammy Award For Best Traditional Blues Album at the 50th Grammy Awards, winning the 2008 Blues Music Award for Best DVD and the 2008 Keeping the Blues Alive Award under the category of Film, Television or Video. "One of my most rewarding recordings to date. Several of the artists have passed since the album came out, and I'm fortunate I had the opportunity to perform with them."
Over his nearly three decade career Shepherd has released 13 studio albums and two live albums, taking seven singles into the Top 10 blues charts, as well as holding the record for one of the longest-running albums on the Billboard Blues Charts with 'Trouble Is' from 1997. 'Blue on Black' from the same album reached number one on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.
In 2013 Shepherd teamed up with veteran artist Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash) and renowned keyboardist, producer, and session player Barry Goldberg to form The Rides, billed as an American blues supergroup. Two well respected Woodstock era musicians joining forces with one of the modern day blues guitar greats.
They trio released 'Can't Get Enough' in 2013 and 'Pierced Arrow' in 2016, with both topping the blues charts. They planned to record again until a worldwide pandemic arose. "Covid put the brakes on the third album. And then I moved out of California to Tennessee. so we didn't get together as often."
Sadly Goldberg who has worked with a who's who of rock passed away in January of this year. "A tremendous loss. Of course Stephen had a longer history with him, but we both loved Barry. He was so gifted. We all bonded right from the beginning as friends and as musicians." Now that Goldberg is gone, what does that hold for The Rides. "I don't know. He was integral to the band and our sound. I don't know at this juncture."
Shepherds latest release 'Young Fashioned Ways' dropped recently (March 21st) teaming him up with 91 year old three-time Grammy® Award-winning blues legend Bobby Rush. The new album includes 10 tracks featuring Shepherd’s trademark guitar work and Rush’s soulful vocals, as well as his rhythm guitar riffs and harmonica expertise. 
According to Shepherd, he couldn't be more proud of the project. "It's an authentic blues album. It's new blues for the modern age. Bobby is a living legend." How it all came about. "He played one of my blues festivals. We hit it off right away. The chemistry between us was awesome." Shepherd adds. "I said, we should do an album together, and he said he was thinking the same thing." The two will head out on tour together during the month of May and early June. https://www.kennywayneshepherd.net/tour
Charleston blues rock fans will have an opportunity to see Kenny Wayne Shepherd when he visits the North Charleston Performing Arts Center as part of the Experience Hendrix tour on Tuesday April 8th. The tour is a unique opportunity for fans to experience the music and legacy of Jimi Hendrix, considered one of the greatest guitar players of all time.
As it does every time out, the tour assembles some of best blues rock guitarists and musicians from the recording industry, with Shepherd no exception. "I'm both humbled and honored to take part. Say what you want, but Experience Hendrix is a testament to one of the all time greats. What's even more amazing is that we only experienced Jimi for just three or four years before he left us."
While the Experience Hendrix Tour was conceived back in 1996 in Hendrix' native Seattle, it began to take shape in the early 2000's with concerts held coast to coast every year or every other year. A few of the iconic artists that have taking part include ex-Guns `N' Roses lead guitarist Slash, Ace Frehley of KISS fame, Matchbox 20's Kyle Cook, Indigenous, Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones), Carlos Santana, plus Stephen Stills and former Hendrix bandmates Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox.
While not all perform, among the 24 active artists listed on the Experience Hendrix website include veterans such as Shepherd, Zakk Wylde, Dweezil Zappa, and legendary Chicago bluesman Buddy Guy. "There is a lot of great talent connected with the tour." Shepherd goes on to say. "And there's a lot of younger artists still coming into their own, like Marcus King, Samantha Fish, and Dylan Triplett. The beauty is, we all respect the legacy that is Jimi Hendrix, and we're committed to honoring his musical legacy every night on stage."
Kenny Wayne Shepherd has played Charleston on several occasions, often with his own band, and has fond memories. "I love Charleston. Usually I'm riding on the bus all night, waking up when we arrive at the next tour stop. I'll take time to roam around, have lunch before an afternoon sound check. But I really love Charleston. It's an amazing city and I'm really drawn to the architecture. Love returning to Charleston year after year." 
The 2025 Experience Hendrix Tour began its 27-date tour in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 11 and ends April 12 in Atlanta, GA. The Charleston stop takes place Tuesday April 8th at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. For more or tickets visit
For more on the history of Experience Hendrix visit https://www.experiencehendrixtour.com/
