Kenny Wayne Shepherd Announces New Album ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Vol. 1’

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Announces New Album ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Vol. 1’

Renowned for ushering American roots into the contemporary era, the five-time-Grammy-nominated guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd has announced his latest studio album, ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 1′, set for release on November 17th via Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group.

Recorded in the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, this project chronicles Shepherd’s journey of musical evolution, touching on stories of loss, redemption, and memorable melodies, all crafted by an elite team of songwriters. As Shepherd himself describes it, “Every record I make is a moment in time. And this is a really special moment.”

The album’s lead single, “Sweet & Low,” encapsulates modern urban influences blended with traditional blues undertones, bringing together the quintessence of Shepherd’s musical expertise. The track offers a fresh perspective on the old-fashioned courting ritual, emphasizing the irresistibly captivating groove. Shepherd recalls, “People I’ve played the album for, they consistently have the biggest reaction to that one.”

“Sweet & Low”

 
Stream “Sweet & Low” HERE

Shepherd takes the lead vocals, infusing the track with raw emotion and his signature guitar licks. The song’s soulful melodies, coupled with his masterful fretwork, create an unforgettable blend that reaffirms his status as a true maestro of the genre.

Approach ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 1’ expecting autopilot twelve-bars and you’ll instead be thrown a volley of curveballs, from the modern urban edge of “Sweet & Low” to the speaker-tearing production from Shepherd and his partner-in-sound of recent years, Marshall Altman. “Working with Marshall, it’s like any productive relationship,” considers the guitarist. “We put our strengths together and push each other.”

Throughout, as the album title suggests, the grit and emotional honesty of these new songs is prized above guitar pyrotechnics (even for one of the modern scene’s most valuable players). Of the ‘Dirt On My Diamonds’ guiding philosophy, “Life has imperfections, and I actually prefer it that way. The imperfections are what make it interesting.”

To understand the direction of travel on ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 1’, it pays to revisit 2017’s ‘Lay It On Down,’ on which Shepherd’s enduring partnership with producer Marshall Altman began. “After ‘Lay It On Down’ and ‘The Traveler,’ this is my third consecutive album working with Marshall, and the evolution almost feels like chapters in a book. To me, this album sounds incredibly fresh, modern and current.”

It all started with the aforementioned session at FAME, where Shepherd and his favorite co-writers threw out the rulebook. “Nothing was off-limits,” says the bandleader about penning songs whose vocal parts would be split down the line between himself and co-vocalist Noah Hunt. “We just wrote non-stop for three days, throwing out songs and letting the good stuff rise to the top. Sometimes with these writing sessions, especially in towns like Nashville, people will set up an appointment, like, ‘OK, we’ll get together from one til three’. But this time, we weren’t under the gun, it was just a bunch of guys having fun writing music. And of course, you feel the history down there in Muscle Shoals. You feel it in the air at a studio like FAME.”

Shepherd will embark on an expansive tour starting Thursday, September 21st at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, MO. This dynamic journey will take fans through iconic venues such as the Orpheum Theatre in Wichita, KS, the Capital One Hall in Tysons, VA, and the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, DE. After showcasing his unparalleled blues-rock prowess across multiple cities, the tour will culminate on Sunday, January 28th with a special performance aboard the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Along the way, fans can also catch Kenny at special events such as the Clearwater Jazz Holiday 2023, ensuring a blend of intimate venues and grand stages. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here

Pre-order ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Vol. 1’ HERE

Dirt On My Diamonds Vol 1.
1. Dirt On My Diamonds
2. Sweet & Low
3. Best Of Times
4. You Can’t Love Me
5. Man On A Mission
6. Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
7. Bad Intentions
8. Ease On My Mind

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Tour Dates See Here