In listening to Kenny Wayne Shepherd, one can tell just which musician had the most influence on this young blue player. The first time I heard him I knew Stevie Ray Vaughan, who he met at age seven, was somewhere in there. According to the Wikipedia article he’s completely self-taught, learning one note at a time from cassette tapes which he constantly rewound. He’s unable to read music.
Born in 1977, he got his first “guitar” at age three, a cheap plastic item his grandmother got with S & H green stamps. After meeting Vaughan, he got serious. To date, he’s recorded six studio albums and one live set. TROUBLE IS… was the first I picked up by him back in December of 1997. Oh, and he’s married to Mel Gibson’s oldest daughter, Hannah, and they have two sons and a daughter.
Blue on Black was one single you heard a lot on the radio back then.
Some other favorites include:
and a ballad:
If Stevie is an influence I’d probably like him. I don’t think I’ve listened to his music, though. I certainly have heard the name.
I’ll have to check him out, as well…I’ve Probably heard him, but the song titles aren’t resonating…
Three for three –have heard the name, but haven’t listened. Will rectify that this weekend because I think his work’ll be right up my alley! Thanks for knocking me out of a musical rut (been listening to some of the same old albums too much!)
Always happy to oblige, Richard. I think you’ll like his music.