Kenny Wayne Shepherd marks 30 years of ‘Ledbetter,’ plans 2026 Escondido stop

The blues-rock guitarist released a new album in March, performed at Humphrey’s in September, and is currently celebrating the 30th anniversary of his acclaimed debut, Ledbetter Heights. The milestone includes a newly recorded version of the album due next year and a tour that brings him back to the region, where he’ll perform the record in full at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido on June 23.

“People have a lot of nostalgia when it comes to music from their past; this album had an impact on a lot of people, and me as well,” Shepherd said in a recent interview with Times of San Diego. “This was our introduction to each other. My goal back then, even though I was very young, was to write timeless music that hopefully people would enjoy listening to decades after its release and decades after I’m gone.” 

Shepherd’s musical journey began early. He got his first guitar from his grandmother at age 3, then taught himself to play by rewinding cassette tapes and learning songs note by note. When he was 7, he met one of his idols, Stevie Ray Vaughan, who gave him advice that he still follows today. 

Read the full story at Times of San Diego