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.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Paula Today discuss a major milestone in modern blues rock, as KWS is marking the 30th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut album, Ledbetter Heights. He wrote and recorded much of it while still in high school, and it went on to achieve Gold and Platinum status, launching him into the national spotlight at just 18 years old. 

Blues-rock guitar legend Kenny Wayne Shepherd is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut album Ledbetter Heights. In this exclusive interview with The Music Room, Kenny reflects on the legacy of the album, the process of re-recording it with his longtime bandmate Noah Hunt, and the upcoming 2026 tour that will bring the full album to the stage for the first time. Read on as we dive into the past, present, and future of one of the most influential modern blues artists.

Listen to the full interview with Kenny Wayne Shepherd on SUNY College Radio

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has been making music since he was 13 years old, but he waited until the ripe old age of 18 to release his debut album, Ledbetter Heights. This week the blues guitarist looked back on his debut album 30 years later, talked about his upcoming Rock covers LP, and his desire for a Country cover of "Blue on Black" with Rob Stone of the Rob + Holly Show.

Guitar legend Kenny Wayne Shepherd, is gearing up for a performance at The Ford on Friday, September 5th alongside Bobby Rush. The show is part of their national co-headlining tour in support of their new collaborative album Young Fashioned Ways– a cross-generational blues record that’s been earning rave reviews.

Bobby Rush—the Chitlin’ Circuit’s most revered gladiator with 10,000-plus worldwide shows and still very much counting—adds a new offering atop his mountain of 400-plus credited records. Guitar ace Kenny Wayne Shepherd—whose high-powered goods have hit the road with Buddy Guy to Van Halen and the Rolling Stones to the 2025 Experience Hendrix traveling circus—also has a new record out.

In March, Bobby Rush and Kenny Wayne Shepherd released their collaborative album titled Young Fashioned Ways. Its intentional multi-generational approach brought together multi-Grammy winning Blues artist Rush, who is 91 years old, and much younger, but well seasoned artist Shepherd, who is also a multi-Grammy nominated artist. The album includes new blues songs that the two wrote together, and also totally new takes on some of Rush’s previous work. The title track, for instance, is based on a Muddy Waters’ song, itself a take on a Willie Dixon original, but on the album retitled “Young Ways.”

Blues legend Rush and guitar aficionado Shepherd bring two generations together to create a collection of high-energy modern-day blues classics.

Listen to Kenny Wayne Shepherd's full interview with Ty the Midday Guy on 98.5 The Beach in Melbourne, FL!

Blues legend Rush and guitar aficionado Shepherd bring two generations together to create a collection of high-energy modern-day blues classics and will take it on the road for a 24-city U.S. Tour starting April 25.

“Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 2 is a real stunner, filled with the same sense of excitement that proclaimed his arrival as the next paragon of blues rock 30 years ago.”

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, along with artists like Joe Bonamassa, Gary Clark, Jr., Walter Trout, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and others, has been a driving force in keeping blues-based rock guitar alive during one of the instrument’s most tumultuous times.

There's an eight-page booklet in Kenny Wayne Shepherd's latest CD, Dirt On My Diamonds volume 2, which includes the lyrics to the seven songs co-written with Kenny. It was impressive to read through them first before listening to anticipate how Kenny will craft the tunes to give them life.

The Album, Out Now via Mascot/Provogue Records, Concludes a Two-Part Blues-Rock Journey

Multi-platinum Grammy-nominated Kenny Wayne Shepherd plans to release Volume 2 of his album "Dirt on My Diamonds" on Sept. 20. Before that, however, fans can catch him July 27 at the Brown County Music Center. Tickets are going quickly.

The multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band is set to release "Dirt On My Diamonds, Volume 2" on September 20th. KWS joins to talk the new record, touring with Van Halen, relationship with Slash, and more!

Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated global superstar Kenny Wayne Shepherd is set to release the highly anticipated ‘Dirt On My Diamonds, Volume 2,’ the follow-up to his acclaimed album ‘Dirt On My Diamonds, Volume 1.’ Slated for a September 20th release via Mascot/Provogue Records, this album continues to solidify Shepherd’s status as a powerhouse in modern rock. Leading the charge is the vibrant single “I Got A Woman” available now.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd electrifies the motor city with a stellar sold out show at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts.

Hailed by critics and fans alike as the 'Guitar Event Of The Year,' the multi-artist celebration known as the Experience Hendrix Tour is set to return this September and October with a 24-date cross-country tour starting in Jimi Hendrix's hometown of Seattle.