Blues-rock guitar hero Kenny Wayne Shepherd has never been one to stand still. On Young Fashioned Ways, he teams up with legendary singer and harmonica player Bobby Rush for a cross-generational record that fuses tradition with reinvention. Recorded live at Memphis’ historic Royal Studios, the album crackles with raw energy and soulful interplay, bridging the past and future of the blues. Ahead of his upcoming show at Napa’s Uptown Theatre, Shepherd opened up about collaborating with Rush, keeping the blues fresh, and why intimate rooms still hold their magic.
Young Fashioned Ways pairs you with Bobby Rush, two Louisiana legends from different generations. What surprised you most about working with him in the studio?
His energy, it’s unbelievable. He works harder than most people decades younger than him. He’s been inspirational to work with, and his experience in the studio and on stage is evident in every performance.
The album was recorded live at Royal Studios in Memphis. What kind of magic does that environment bring to the music?
Royal Studios is a “ground zero” kind of place where legends have created legendary music. You go there because their ability to churn out quality recordings is unquestioned, and you hope that some of that mojo rubs off on you in the process of making your record.
The lead single “Who Was That” landed in the new Mark Wahlberg film. How did that placement come about and what does it feel like seeing your work cross into cinema?
I was approached about writing something for the film, and fortunately, we were able to make that happen with Bobby in the studio. It’s always a thrill to hear your music in a movie, knowing that millions of people are going to experience it.
Some of the songs are reimagined Rush staples. How did you approach putting your own spin on such iconic material while staying true to its roots?
Honestly, I didn’t realize some of those songs had been recorded before. When we went into the studio, Bobby presented a few tracks to me and I added what I could. Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t know the originals, because I might have tried to stay closer to them. Instead, I approached them as new songs, and I think that helped us bring a fresh perspective.
You’ve been playing blues since your teens. What keeps the genre fresh and exciting for you today?
Pushing myself to create and record new and different things. I’m always striving to breathe new life into my music—and hopefully the blues itself—by experimenting with sounds I haven’t tried before.
The title Young Fashioned Ways nods to both tradition and timelessness. How do you see your role in bridging the blues past and future?
That’s something I’ve always done. I’ve always been a student of the blues, but I also like to try new things. Fortunately, my fans have embraced that, and it’s allowed me to reach new listeners who might not have found their way to the blues otherwise.
You’ve played some of the biggest venues in the world. What makes an intimate space like Napa’s Uptown Theatre special for you?
We love coming there. It’s a great venue, and we’ve always had incredible shows. The fans at the Uptown really appreciate the music, and they’ve consistently shown us support by selling the place out whenever we come through.
Between this album and your solo work, you’ve built a genre-spanning career. What’s something unexpected you’d still like to explore musically?
I’m always open to new things and working with new people. Collaborations expand creativity, and I love crossing into genres outside of what I’m traditionally known for. We’ll see what the future holds.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Bobby Rush // Uptown Theatre // 1350 3rd St, Napa, CA 94559 // Monday, September 8th
