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By: Michael D. Vogel

© August 21, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved.     

Published in:

Venica Magazine – January 1998

Americans like their guitar-based blues-rock to have some sort of geographical identification. Whether it’s New York’s underground, Los Angeles’ club scene, the Jersey shore or even Chicago’s house music–these are all places that can easily be located on the map. Lately, though, bluesy guitar rock has started pouring out of places not normally associated with those that are part of the cultural mainstream, cities like Seattle, Athens, GA, and Shreveport, LA, to name a few. The latter of which, to be sure, is an unlikely place to find any type of major trend (that is, unless you consider places like the Mall Of America a relevant and major trend in today’s society.) In general, though, most guitarists tend to think of the traditional places like LA, New York or even Austin as the strongholds of good old, guitar-driven, blues-rock.

To the casual observer, the blues seem somewhat of a periodic musical form. That is, it seems to have ebbed and flowed in popularity throughout every decade, defined by certain musicians or bands who manage to take the music to a whole new level. Yet music influenced by the blues is constantly being played, recorded and performed on a daily basis. Jonny Lang, Robben Ford, Corey Stevens and Ian Moore are but a sample of the new generation of blues-based rock guitarists. But for mainstream Rock Radio and its various sub-formats (Active and Adult Rock) there’s been an increasing interest in the blues, and that interest shouldn’t just begin with Robert Johnson and end with Stevie Ray Vaughan, with the occasional side excursion through Muddy Waters and B.B. King. There are always players bubbling up just under the surface, attracting regional and even national acclaim for their mastery of the blues.

In a perfect world then, where talent, contribution and historical significance are rewarded with fame and fortune, Kenny Wayne Shepherd should be next in line to inherit the riches of King Solomon’s gold mines. Shepherd is a true master of the blues guitar in terms of technique, versatility, output and overall musical maturity.

 I read somewhere once that a great player is not defined by someone who has an ability to master the instrument alone, but one who takes the instrument and incorporates it into their own personal being, making it an extension of their own heart and soul,” states Shepherd while taking a break in Arizona from his journey across the country, “and I agree with that.” But inspiration can be a funny thing. Some guitarists, like Jimi Hendrix, claim their muse comes to them in waves, like being struck by a lightning bolt right out of thin air. Others, like Carlos Santana and Buddy Guy, play from the heart and not from the head. It’s instinctual and not something tangible or easily ruled out. A true musician really has no method for what he plays–merely a passion to share and an ability to communicate clearly through music.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd–the “Tornado” from Shreveport–has helped to rekindle the blues in the 90s much like Clapton, Page and Beck did in the late 60s and 70s. With his own band, as well as the additional support of Double Trouble, Shepherd simmers, steams and rocks the blues so as to attract a crowd of serious concert-going fanatics, ranging in ages from their late teens and up. His unadorned guitar lines alternately caress and blister, easily whipping the unassuming into a mass frenzy. His sophomore album, Trouble Is…, continues the high octane deluge he started on Ledbetter Heights by echoing the influences of B.B. King and Jimi Hendrix, all the while updating the blues for a new generation of guitar fans.

The image of Shepherd, with his long blonde hair and Stratocaster in tow, is not only one of a certifiable guitar wizard, but one of a deeply spiritual man committed to the religion and philosophy of the six-string.

“It may sound corny or a bit cliché, but it’s the music itself that keeps me on the right track. Of course, there is also some sort of ‘outside’ force, like divine inspiration, that has also helped me along. But the focus itself has always revolved around a passion to write and record music.” His persona, when coupled with his otherworldly technique, is almost daunting to his peers, not to mention his audience. It may even be his aura of mysticism, the transcendent quality of his music, that’s made him somewhat of an enigma to newer and more casual listeners. “I play the guitar and people seem to appreciate it. That’s what I always asked for and that’s exactly what I got.”

To even more fully understand Kenny Wayne Shepherd, one must understand his early inspirations. “From as early back as I can remember, I was always fascinated by musicians. The emotional responses that were evoked by their soulful music really had a profound affect on me. The music itself, though, seems to play out differently for me than it does for others. I can remember jumping up and down on my grandfather’s bed listening to ZZ Top’s Fandango album. Even at such an early age, I was able to memorize the guitar parts and the tried to emulate them on my own guitar. But it wasn’t until I got my first real guitar, at seven years of age, that I was really able to play what I was hearing. The rest, as they say, is history.”

When you’re the new wunderkind in town, comparisons to past greats are as inevitable as death, taxes and a double-bogey. In the case of the now-20-year-old guitarist extraordinaire, both the press and public alike most often evoke the names of the Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan when attempting to describe the sounds he seduces out of his vintage Fender Stratocasters.

Although he’s flattered to be in such immortal company, Shepherd states, “Sometimes things manifest themselves because they are talked about so much. I am always asked whether I felt the pressure of recording a second album and if it was going to live up to the expectations and surpass the previous album. Due to my own naiveté, at first I didn’t know what they were talking about. But, because this question is constantly asked, you ultimately tend to find yourself stressing out.

“As far as pressure goes,” Shepherd humbly adds, “I really try not to get caught up in all that. When I was a kid I dreamed about being on the cover of Guitar Player magazine or having my name mentioned with the likes of Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker and B.B. King. I’m just a guy from Shreveport doing what I love to do–playing guitar. Because I have been on both sides of the fence now, I really feel appreciative for what has happened to my music and me. Every player knows something different, which is what makes each player so unique. I truly appreciate the position I’m in, playing guitar and making music, so I don’t really put those kinds of pressures on myself. I am confident in my abilities as a player, because I have been onstage with some of these all-time greats. So, I’m just going to keep playing the best way I know how.”

Trouble Is…, the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band’s sophomore release for Revolution Records, displays a somewhat more versatile sampling of KWS’s musicianship than the impressive yet decidedly Stevie Ray sound of the band’s first album. This is due in part to natural growth and maturity as a person and as an artist, as well as a change in the vocal representations of the band.

“The change in vocals adds a lot more authenticity to the sound of the music. For the Ledbetter Heights album, my first singer Corey [Sterling] came from a totally non-blues based background, whereas Noah [Hunt], who handled the vocals for Trouble Is…, has a firm knowledge of roots rock and the blues. Unfortunately, you couldn’t pin Corey down to sing any blues standards simply because he doesn’t know any. But, on the other hand, Noah seems to be able to pull them out anytime due to his exceptional understanding of the music. To top it off, the best part about it is that even the way he sings and pronounces things sounds more Southern. Together, they add up to a perfect mixture of guitar and vocals.”

Although, when pressed about his own vocal contributions, Shepherd exclaims, “It will happen sooner or later. Although I do cover some of the background vocals on Trouble Is…, I don’t think I’m to the point where I would be comfortable handling all the vocal duties for a full record. It comes down to a growing process, where maybe on the next album I may sing lead on a few songs, but definitely not the full record. To me, singing is an important aspect of creating music because it would help bring more to my total performance. But at this moment it is only something that I am going to pursue in small steps. Unfortunately, singing doesn’t come as naturally as playing a guitar. This is somewhat surprising considering the only musical talent on my father’s side of the family was singing.”

Reflecting on his own heroes, the Strat-master states, “I’m in good company and therefore not really worried about it. For example, look back at the careers of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan or Eric Clapton. All three of these guys played guitar for many years before they got behind the microphone and started singing.”

The other key player aiding in the progression of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band is producer Jerry Harrison, who’s just recently finished producing an album with Big Head Todd & The Monsters. Although he’s most known for his own music in the alternative genre, most notably with the Talking Heads, his roots trace back to a Milwaukee blues band where he began his career. “Jerry is amazing. He adds a whole flavor that wasn’t present before. By introducing a whole new dimension, Jerry is able to capture a sound that is rawer and more edgy in feel and sound that wasn’t part of the music before.”

To talk about the music and the genre itself, Shepherd is very clear about the place blues have in today’s modern rock radio world. “As far as the entire genre itself,” the Louisiana native exclaims with a level of excitement growing in his voice, “the blues are getting bigger than ever! One of the main reasons I can think of, when I think about the wider acceptance to this music is that it is a return to real music. What I mean by that is there are real people playing real instruments. Alternative music has the benefit of coming out of the 80s when music predominantly featured drum machines and big keyboards. Personally, that is one of the most appealing aspects of alternative music: it is the antithesis of the music that preceded it.

“As with the cyclical nature of music, people’s tastes returned to real instruments instead of sound bites and computer loops. As a result there was a huge explosion on the country music scene. The rise in popularity of country music was amazing. Fortunately not all music has the benefit of a second time around.” Demonstrating a perspective wise beyond his 20 years, Shepherd continues, “Take disco for example, there might be some initial interest in some places but for the most part, it tried to make a comeback and it failed. The ‘big-hair’ thing of the mid/late-80s is also trying to make a comeback. The difference is that they aren’t doing the same type of music they were making back then–they’ve changed it up. The blues have also gone through many cycles of being on top and at the bottom of the music scene, as well. It is just the natural evolution of the various types of music created.

“There is always a lot of musicianship involved, but there are also more ways of getting your point across without using loud, distorted guitars. The music is supposed to be intense and filled with emotions that people can relate to, but not necessarily to the point of screaming in your face. At its most basic point of definition, isn’t that what the core of the blues is all about? A serious groove with some musicianship behind it. The blues, similar to other kinds of music, tells of real people’s problems and emotions. At the same time, though, it’s music that makes you feel good. But, with the way everything is defined and labeled, the reality is that everything seems to fall into some sort of category. I wouldn’t necessarily say the Trouble Is…, is a straight ‘classic’ sounding blues record, because it definitely is not! The evolution of the music can best be described as a modern mixture of the blues and rock & roll. Combined together, this album really rips!”

Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s soulful guitar playing is part and parcel of his rare ability to communicate intimately with his audience, by transforming any size concert venue or car interior into a small living room where every listener feels as though the music is being played exclusively for them. His powerful connection with his supporters are captured throughout Trouble Is…. With a virtual treasure chest filled with sophisticated-yet-down home music including such soon-to-be staples like “True Lies” (Shepherd’s favorite), “Blue On Black,” the cover of Dylan’s “Everything Is Broken,” Hendrix’s “I Don’t Live Today” and “Slow Ride,” which is currently a Top 5 track at Rock Radio.

The best way to experience Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s regal power is, of course, to see him live, where he can truly dazzle and amaze. Perhaps the most impressive characteristic about Shepherd is that he continues to push himself hard by constantly searching out new avenues to help stretch his playing abilities; however, his true playground will always be the live stage. He can hold an entire audience spellbound with a single melodious run. What he and his band have achieved is of no small feat: focusing the spotlight on the junior Shepherd’ s uncanny knack for guitar and at the same time avoiding the eons of struggle that many musicians suffer through. “I don’t want people to just listen to my music,” declares Shepherd, “I want them to hear it. Having people appreciate what I do is the ultimate satisfaction for me. I think there’s a big explosion happening in blues-based music, and it’s very exciting. I’m glad to be a part of it. I want to help turn my generation on to it. I want to help keep the blues alive for them and eternity!” ^m^ 

Origin:                                                                      Website: 

Shreveport, LA                                                       www.kennywayneshepherd.net 

Line-Up:                                                                                     

Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Guitars & Vocals            Jimmy Wallace – Keys               

Noah Hunt – Vocals                                                            Robert Emerson – Bass 

Joe Nadeau – Guitar                                                           Sam Bryant – Drums 

Guest Musicians: 

Chris Layton – Drums                                                        Reese Wynans – keys 

Tommy Shannon – Bass                                                    James Cotton – Harmonica 

About This CD: 

This is Kenny Wayne’s sophomore CD, following up on the heels of Ledbetter Heights which sold in excess of 500,000 copies and spent an amazing five months atop the national blues chart. 

Discography:  

Trouble Is… (Revolution, 1997)                                       

Ledbetter Heights (Revolution, 1995)               

Produced By: 

Jerry Harrison 

Label: 

Revolution 

© August 21, 1997. Michael D. Vogel.  All Rights Reserved. This originally appeared on the Vogelism blog at https://www.vogelism.com, authored by Michael D. Vogel. This article may be shared or reprinted as long as this entire copyright message, including the source location of this article, accompanies it.