Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band Schools Charlotte In The Blues
Blues Guitarist Celebrates 25 Years of Trouble Is at Knight Theater
Last night, Uptown Charlotte was transformed into a Louisiana bayou as blues guitarist extraordinaire Kenny Wayne Shepherd put on a masterclass at the Knight Theater. Kenny has been a fixture of the blues-rock scene since he was 16 years old with a career that has earned him seven number-one blues albums and several mainstream rock hits as well as five Grammy nominations and two Billboard Music awards. But it’s not his resume that is most impressive, it’s what happens when he picks up a guitar and his fingers hit the strings that will really bowl you over. Charlotte area music fans got to experience the magic firsthand yesterday as Kenny Wayne and his band of incredible blues musicians made a stop in the Queen City as part of their Trouble Is…25th Anniversary Tour.
Fun Fact: Kenny Wayne was only 16 years old when he inked his first record deal.
The tour celebrates the 25th anniversary of Kenny’s sophomore album Trouble Is, a record that has become iconic in the blues-rock world and as a special treat, for the first time ever, Kenny is playing the entire album live and fans couldn’t have been more excited about it. As the venue started to fill up, the lines for merchandise were moving swiftly, and everyone was getting ready for what they knew would be a spectacular show.
As the venue lights dimmed and the band made their way onto the stage, the audience erupted in appreciation. The stage lights kicked on accompanied by a huge emblazoned Kenny Wayne Shepherd guitar pick at the rear of the stage and we were off with the title track “Trouble Is.” What followed was a musical journey through the album with all the highs and lows and peaks and valleys that go along with it. Oh my! The sweet, sweet sounds of a Fender Strat played by one of the very best to ever pick one up are nothing short of amazing and a delight for the senses.
Fun Fact: Kenny’s very first guitar was a plastic one that his grandmother purchased for him with S&H Green Stamps. (Bonus points if you’re old enough to remember what those are. Triple Bonus is you’re old enough to actually have used them)
Kenny was the epitome of cool, dressed in all black with a black fedora perched on top of his head as he effortlessly taught us all a lesson in the blues. He was simply incredible to watch as he moved as one with his guitar. Kneeling in front of his amps, guitar held out to the side, Kenny took his showmanship to an entirely different level. At one point, he was crouched at the front of the stage and another time he held his right hand up, finger pointing to the sky, as the fingers of his left hand held that note for 10 seconds, 30 seconds, a minute as the audience roared in appreciation and it was magnificent.
Fun Fact: Kenny’s signature song “Blue On Black” was recently covered by the heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch.
Throughout the first half of the show which included the entire Trouble Is album, the level of musicianship on that stage was out of this world. Every single member of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd band is a world-class musician and master of their craft. Lead vocalist Noah Hunt has been with Kenny since 1998 and his signature vocals are a perfect fit for the music and the voice behind all the radio hits that we have come to know and love over the years. Drummer Chris Layton has a storied history in the blues as well as being one of the best shuffle drummers in the business. Back in the day, he joined Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble and worked with Charlie Sexton before being a part of Kenny’s band since his debut album Ledbetter Heights. He has graced the stage keeping time for Kenny Wayne ever since. On keyboards and the Hammond B3 is New Orleans-based Joe Krown who has been with Kenny since 2017 and has performed with the likes of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. Handling the bass lines was none other than Kevin McCormick who is not only a tremendous musician but also a much sought-after producer. Let me tell you when Kenny and Noah exited the stage to let these three guys jam, it was insane, pure unadulterated bliss. Don’t use this time to take a potty break or refresh your drink. You’ll want to stay glued to your seat or on your feet for this incredible jam session.
In between songs, Kenny took the time to tell us a little bit about some of them including all the stories fans shared with him over the years about “I Found Love (When I Found You)” and how he is amazed that a song he wrote when he was 18 years old would become a song that holds a special place in so many people’s lives. He also talked about “Blue On Black” and how Five Finger Death Punch came to him and told him they wanted to do a version of it. Everyone was grooving and singing along to this one for sure.
Fun Fact: Kenny Wayne Shepherd was the opening act for Van Halen on not one, but two tours, in 1998 and again in 2015.
The second half of the show, or expanded encore if you will, featured songs from throughout Kenny’s career including a poignant “Heat of the Sun” and a wild, set closer with B.B. King’s “You’ve Done Lost Your Good Thing Now.” What an incredible night! If you’ve ever heard someone say, “he made that guitar talk.” Kenny Wayne Shepherd is probably who they were talking about because last night Kenny made that guitar talk, sing, cry, scream, and shout!
The Trouble Is…25th Anniversary Tour rolls on with a stop tomorrow night in Durham, NC with dates running through the beginning of April. This is a show you don’t want to miss so be sure and grab your tickets now.
Click Here for the Full Gallery of the Evening!
If you happened to capture any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see.
