I had a chance to talk with Kenny Wayne Shepherd about his upcoming 2025 Tour with Experience Hendrix, a fresh album with blues legend Bobby Rush, and the 30th anniversary of his breakout record, Ledbetter Heights. Oh, and let’s not forget his obsession with muscle cars.
The Experience Hendrix Tour: A Shredder’s Dream
KWS is heading back to Detroit on March 22nd for the Experience Hendrix show at the legendary Fox Theatre. If you’ve never been to one of these gigs, imagine the ultimate guitar jam session with an all-star lineup paying tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Kenny is stoked to be part of it once again.
“The Fox Theatres are some of the most beautiful venues in the country, and the Detroit one is probably the pinnacle,” Kenny said. “It’s crazy to think a lot of them were originally movie theaters.”
He also talked about the wild mix of players sharing the stage, from shredders like Zakk Wylde to the precision of Eric Johnson.
“Eric Johnson literally plays a backwards Hendrix solo note for note,” Kenny said. “That’s next-level dedication.”
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Family, Touring, and Finding Balance
Kenny isn’t just juggling a tour—he’s also balancing life at home with six kids.
“When we first had kids, I tried to be home as much as possible, just doing weekend shows. But eventually, I had to hit the road again,” he explained. “Now, we’ve got a system. Four to five weeks on tour is the max before I need to come back and reconnect.”
And when he’s home? It’s all about family, muscle cars, and stepping away from the music business for a bit.
30 Years of Ledbetter Heights and a New Record with Bobby Rush
This year marks three decades since Ledbetter Heights put KWS on the map. To celebrate, he’s re-recorded the album, but don’t expect an exact replica.
“With Trouble Is…, we recreated it almost exactly. But for Ledbetter Heights, some of the original musicians have passed away, so we took some creative liberties,” Kenny said. “It’s going to be a fresh experience for fans.”
He’s also dropping Young Fashioned Ways on March 21st, a pure blues record with 92-year-old Bobby Rush.
“We had to wait until our schedules aligned, but now we can finally tour together,” Kenny said. “This album is special—it’s stripped-down blues mixed with full-band electric, and it’s raw.”
Muscle Cars, Roadkill Nights, and the Dream Cruise
If you know Kenny, you know his love for muscle cars is right up there with blues guitar. He’s got about 16 cars in his collection, though he admits he’s no Jay Leno.
“Jay’s got two airplane hangars full of cars—it’s like a museum,” Kenny laughed. “I’m living my version of the dream, but that guy’s on another level.”
And speaking of car events, he’s working on making it to Dodge’s Roadkill Nights this summer in Detroit.
“I’ve never made it out to the Dream Cruise or Roadkill Nights, but I’ve been talking to the Dodge guys,” Kenny said. “Fingers crossed I can make it happen.”
Talking Marriage Advice and Meeting Mel Gibson
Kenny also shared some personal moments, including advice from his father-in-law—yes, that Mel Gibson—before marrying his wife, Hannah.
“He told me, ‘Try not to go to bed angry,’” Kenny said. “It’s great advice, and we try to follow it as much as we can.”
As for meeting Mel for the first time?
“I grew up around famous people because of my dad’s radio background, so I wasn’t intimidated,” Kenny explained. “But yeah, some people would probably find it overwhelming.”
Final Thoughts From Kenny Wayne Shepherd
From killer guitar work to burning rubber on the streets, Kenny Wayne Shepherd has a packed year ahead. Between the Experience Hendrix tour, the Ledbetter Heights re-recording, and his new blues project with Bobby Rush, there’s a lot to look forward to.
And who knows? Maybe we’ll see him tearing it up at Roadkill Nights this summer.