A lot of child prodigies don’t grow up to be adult prodigies—or even particularly well-adjusted adults. But guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd has maintained a successful, varied career since the tender age of 13, when he signed his first record deal. Shepherd started out as a blues phenom, wowing audiences with his guitar skills and anchoring a full band for his 1995 debut album Ledbetter Heights, released when he was just 18. As Shepherd matured, he took his sound in more of a rock direction, and eventually took over vocals in addition to guitar for his 2004 album The Place You’re In.
Since then, Shepherd has balanced rock and blues, as well as vocals and guitar, with blues projects like 2007’s 10 Days Out: Blues From the Backroads, on which he collaborated with underappreciated blues veterans, alongside his more rock-oriented solo albums. These days, he splits the vocal duties with his longtime collaborator, singer Noah Hunt. More than 25 years after signing that first record deal as a kid, Shepherd has grown into a respected and hard-working performer, and he still sounds like a prodigy when he picks up the guitar.
The Orleans, 8 p.m. March 10-11, starting at $29.95 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
