Louisiana native Kenny Wayne Shepherd has covered a lot of ground in his near-quarter-century career, and his new album The Traveler is a consistently compelling manifestation of Shepherd’s multiple talents. Both a world-class guitarist with deep roots in the blues, and a singularly charismatic songwriter and performer, Shepherd has built an incredibly accomplished resume that reflects his lifelong love for the blues.
Recorded in Los Angeles, while the band was on a break from their uncompromising tour schedule that left them road-tested and ready to rock, The Traveler showcases some world-class musicians: vocalist Noah Hunt, drummer Chris “Whipper” Layton (formerly of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Double Trouble), bassist Kevin McCormick, and keyboardists Jimmy McGorman and Joe Krown. The album features ten songs including eight new originals co-written by KWS and some of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters, plus incendiary covers of Buffalo Springfield’s “Mr. Soul” and Joe Walsh’s “Turn to Stone.”
“Because of my family, my friends, and my fans I’ve been able to explore the depths of music and chase songs wherever they may lead me,” says Kenny Wayne. “We’ve been able to do things and go places that were once just a dream, and it’s all because of the music and the people who support it. The Traveler is a return on their investment.”
