Kenny Wayne Shepherd
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
POSSIBLE COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT |
| If you have just labeled this page as a possible copyright infringement, please add the following to the bottom of Wikipedia:Copyright_problems/2006_November_21/Articles * {{subst:article-cv|Kenny Wayne Shepherd}} from [http://www.wholeearthfestival.net/wefkennywayneshepherd.htm]. ~~~~ |
 The previous content of this page appears to infringe on the copyright of the text from the source(s) below and is now listed on Wikipedia:Copyright problems: Do not edit this page until an administrator has resolved this issue.
Unless the copyright status of the text on this page is clarified, it will be deleted one week after the time of its listing. |
|
|
|
Kenny Wayne Shepherd or KWS (June 12, 1977-) is an American blues musician. Shepherd was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. Self-taught, he began playing guitar at age 7, figuring out Muddy Waters licks from his father's record collection.
(Information below copied from http://www.wholeearthfestival.net/wefkennywayneshepherd.htm) Thanks to his father's career in radio, Kenny Wayne Shepherd was exposed to a wide variety of music while growing up. But the flashpoint came when Kenny was taken to see a Stevie Ray Vaughan concert. At age of 13, he was invited onstage by the New Orleans bluesman Bryan Lee and Texan bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan. Witnessing the Texan's performance from atop an on stage amp case, the boy experienced a powerful and profound transformation, and in short order he decided on music as a career.
Using his own contacts in the record business, Shepherd's father and manager, Ken Shepherd (a Shreveport celebrity and DJ) helped his son land a major-label record deal with Giant Records. Rumor is Ken Shepherd also introduced Valerie Bertinelli to Eddie Van Halen. In 1995, his debut album was entitled Ledbetter Heights and featured original material and a few covers.
According to http://www.wholeearthfestival.net/wefkennywayneshepherd.htm "His music reflects a striking maturity and unequaled rock instincts. Combine these artistic abilities with a young man who is a product of the same cultural realities that others his age face, and you have the voice of blues rock for a new generation. Having enjoyed two straight #1 Blues albums, a string of #1 mainstream rock singles, two 1998 Billboard Music Awards for Rock Track of the Year ("Blue on Black") and Blues Album of the Year (for "Trouble Is..."), and a 1999 Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance ("Trouble Is..."). Kenny's powers as a guitarist, songwriter, arranger, and performer have only strengthened over time, making him without question the dominant guitar voice in rock for years to come."
Years later, Kenny surpassed all expectations with his second Giant album "Trouble Is...." Featuring lead singer Noah Hunt and produced by Jerry Harrison (LIVE), "Trouble Is..." accomplishes exactly what Kenny set out to introduce blues rock to a new generation. After the release of Trouble Is.... in October of 1997, Kenny and the band earned a 1999 Grammy nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance and picked up a BMI award as well. The album topped Billboard's Blues charts for two years straight, while three singles -- "Slow Ride", "Blue On Black", and "Somehow, Somewhere, Someway" -- were all #1 radio singles. In fact, "Blue on Black" was one of the most-played singles of the year, and voted rock song of 1998 in such prestigious trade publications as Billboard, R&R, and Album Network.
Over the past few years, the band has toured with the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Van Halen, Aerosmith, and Bob Dylan, reaching even wider audiences worldwide. They played over 200 shows in 1998, including debut tours of Australia and Japan and a return visit to Europe where Kenny headlined an evening at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival (he also joined B.B. King, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Musselwhite, and Keb' Mo' on stage there for an unforgettable multi-generational blues jam). Kenny also starred in a Gap commercial, while Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair (magazine) were among the many national magazines to run extensive spreads. Critics were effusive in their praise, with Vanity Fair (magazine) lauding his guitar playing as "both ferocious and restrained", and the Godfather of Soul, James Brown himself, calling Kenny "one of the wonders of the world."
BB King is also a big fan of Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
Kenny has also played with Dr. John, Double Trouble (Stevie Ray Vaughn's band), Doyle Bramhall II of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Arc Angels, who is touring with Eric Clapton in 2006; and Arion Salazar, bassist of Third Eye Blind.
Taken from www.tendaysout.net: On January 16, 2007, KWS is releasing a documentary movie titled "Ten Days Out- Blues from the Backroads." It shows him playing with blues legends such as Jerry "Boogie" McCain; Neal Pattman; Cootie Stark; Buddy Flett; B.B King; Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown; Bryan Lee; John Dee Holeman; Etta Baker; Henry Townsend and Honeyboy Edwards; The Howlin' Wolf Band with Hubert Sumlin, Henry Gray, Calvin Jones, and Wild Child Butler; The Muddy Waters Band with Pinetop Perkins, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and Bob Margolin through out the south. Shepherd set out with a home court advantage, by hiring the team who had helped make Live On such an outstanding effort: Producer Jerry Harrison, himself a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, (his production credits include the Violent Femmes, Live, Big Head Todd & The Monsters; he was a member of the Talking Heads and the Modern Lovers), bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton, the rhythm section known as Double Trouble that came to fame behind Stevie Ray Vaughan. Partial proceeds of this project are being donated to Music Maker Relief Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to helping impoverished blues artists.
Contents |
[edit] Accomplishments
- While in high school, recorded first album Ledbetter Heights in 1995 which was certified gold by the RIAA.
- Has sold millions of albums worldwide.
- Three straight No. 1 blues albums.
- String of No. 1 mainstream rock singles.
- Two 1998 Billboard Music Awards for Rock Track of the Year ("Blue On Black") and Blues Album of the Year (Trouble Is...).
- Two Grammy nominations, one in 1998 for Trouble Is... and the other in 2000 for Electric Lullaby.
- Shepherd also was awarded the 1999 and 2001 Orville H. Gibson Awards for Best Blues Guitarist.
[edit] Personal life
Shepherd, raised a Methodist, has recently converted to Catholicism, quit smoking, and has begun living a more balanced life, as part of his resolve when he married Hannah Gibson, eldest daughter of actor Mel Gibson, on September 16, 2006 [1]. Shepherd has two sisters, Kim an elementary school teacher and Penny an attorney.
[edit] KWS's guitars and musical equipment
[edit] Discography
- Ledbetter Heights (September 19, 1995)
- Trouble Is... (October 7, 1997)
- Live On (October 12, 1999)
- The Place You're In (October 5, 2004)
- 10 Days Out: Blues From the Backroad (Scheduled to be released on November 14, 2006)
[edit] Discography- Appears on
- Various Artists - Music Maker Presents Drink House to Church House: Songs & Stories from the Roots of Ame (2006)
- Various Artists - Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas (2005 Reissue) (2005)
- Susan Tedeschi - The Best of Susan Tedeschi: Episode One (2005)
- Les Paul & Friends - American Made World Played (2005)
- Original Soundtrack - Summerland (Image) (2005)
- Various Artists - KFOG Live from the Archives, Vol. 12 (2005)
- Various Artists - WCCC Live at Planet of Sound (2005)
- Various Artists - Powered by Fender: The Players (2003)
- Various Artists - Harley Davidson Roadhouse Blues (2003)
- Various Artists - Rolling Stone Presents: Blues (2002)
- Various Artists - Double Shot of the Blues (2001)
- Various Artists - The Songs of Bob Dylan, Vol. 2: May Your Song Always Be Sung (Australian Edition) (2001)
- Various Artists - The Songs of Bob Dylan, Vol. 2: May Your Song Always Be Sung (2001)
- Various Artistis - KGGO: Kiss This CD!!! (2001)
- Various Artists - KFOG Live from the Archives, Vol. 8 (2001)
- Original Soundtrack - Three Thousand Miles to Graceland (2001)
- Various Artists - Pure Blues (2001)
- Original Soundtrack - Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
- Various Artists - Loaded with Hits (2000)
- Mark & Brian - Little Drummer Boys (2000)
- Various Artists - KFOG Live from the Archives, Vol. 7 (2000)
- Various Artists - No. 1 Blues Album (1998)
- Various Artists - Modern Blues (1998)
- Various Artists - Hard Rock Cafe: Modern Blues (1998)
- Wynonna Judd - The Other Side (1997)
- Bryan Lee - Live at the Old Absinthe House Bar: Friday Night (1997)
- Various Artists - Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas (1997)
- Various Artists - Singin' the Blues (Drive Archive) (1996)
- Various Artists - Michael: Music from the Motion Picture (1996)
- Original Soundtrack - The Fan (1996)
- Various Artists - Fender 50th Anniversary Guitar Legends (1996)
[edit] Notes
- — Kenny Wayne Shepherd Playing the Birchmere, Alexandria, VA/ Washington, DC
- — Kenny Wayne Shepherd at Les Paul's Ninetieth Birthday Bash
[edit] External links
- Official Website
- Official MySpace site
- Official site of his DVD Documentary Project Ten Days Out: Blues from the Backroads
|
|
| Fixed Members |
|---|
| Joe Satriani | Steve Vai |
| Invited Guitar Players: Eric Johnson | Adrian Legg | Kenny Wayne Shepherd Robert Fripp | Michael Schenker | Uli Jon Roth | John Petrucci | Yngwie Malmsteen |
| Discography |
| Albums and DVDs: G3: Live in Concert | G3: Rockin' in the Free World | G3: Live in Denver | G3: Live in Tokyo |
