Blues pro young in the tooth

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Blues pro young in the tooth
November 22, 2010
by Mark Smith
Moonee Valley Leader

IN music industry terms Kenny Wayne Shepherd is a veteran.

With six albums in a career spanning 15 years - including the 1997 gold-certified Trouble Is - the guitarist has more than earned his reputation as an established artist.

Yet at 33, he is just a baby when it comes to most blues musicians.

“There’s not too many blues associated with young people,” says Shepherd, who cut his first major label blues album at 18.

“But I come from a generation where there were some others that were young and playing the blues.

“I think part of the thing of me doing it when I was so young is that it kind of gives a kind of youthful approach to the music.

“My music is heavily influenced by the blues but it has a rock influence and it has an edge to it.

“And I think when young people continue to be interested in the blues that’s what helps the music to continue to evolve and it brings new life into the genre.”

Shepherd says he first fell in love with the blues as a boy combing through his father’s record collection.

“The blues music was just the kind that really resonated with me as a kid,” he says.

“When people play the blues properly they are playing straight from the heart.

“And I think that is something that anyone can relate to.”

Shepherd’s career as a blues artist - he has been ranked by Guitar World behind only B.B. King and Eric Clapton in popularity - has allowed him to rub shoulders with those who inspired him including B.B. King.

“It’s a tremendous honour to play with so many of the people I’ve looked up to,” he says.

“But it’s a reward for all the hard work to feel like maybe I deserve to be up there with all these guys.

“One of the greatest things from those opportunities is the personal relationships that have evolved from that.

“B.B. King has become like a father to me.”

Shepherd has just released a new live album recorded at Chicago’s House of Blues.

The album Live in Chicago features live versions of his back catalogue along with blues classics recorded with guest artists.

“It’s a good introduction if you’ve never seen or heard us before because you’ll get a taste of what I’m about as a musician,” he says.

Shepherd also hopes to reward Australian fans with a tour early next year.

“The last time I toured was in 2000, so I’ve been pressing my manager to get there as soon as possible,” he said.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Live in Chicago is out now through Roadrunner Records.