If you follow blues guitar, over the past 20 years there are a number of names that stand out: The list begins with Kenny Wayne Shepherd but includes a talented group comprised of the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks, John Mayer, Samantha Fish and more.
Perhaps you’re thinking, “Why should I care? I’m not a blues fan.” But here’s the thing: Most modern music is derived from the blues. If you like Jay Z, Phish, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead, Dr. Dre, Sturgill Simpson, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC or Foo Fighters – you dig music that derives from the blues.
Which brings us to Episode 6 of the Load Out. We speak with Shepherd who is such an accomplished guitarist that Rolling Stone made him a voter on its 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time ranking.
Since being signed by music industry legend Irving Azoff to a record deal at age 16, his career has been nothing short of impressive. Shepherd is a five-time Grammy nominee and has taken seven songs into the Top 10. He also holds the record for the longest-running album on the Billboard Blues Charts with Trouble Is…, which contains his signature hit “Blue On Black.”
And not only is Shepherd helping keep perhaps the most important and influential style of American music alive, but also keeping appreciation alive of many of the greatest blues players ever through efforts like his critically acclaimed and two-time Grammy-nominated DVD–CD project, 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads.
From his garage in Los Angeles with his collection of muscle cars in the background, we talk about his life, career, music and more. So sit back and get to know blues rock great Kenny Wayne Shepherd. And if you want to learn more about the blues and its impact on music today, be sure to visit the National Blues Museum in St. Louis.