Bluesman Kenny Wayne Shepherd To Play Debut Album in Its Entirety

Kenny Wayne Shepherd celebrates the 30th anniversary of his debut album 'Ledbetter Heights' with a special tour.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:12am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

For the upcoming tour that celebrates the 30th anniversary of his debut album, 1995's Ledbetter Heights, singer-guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd and his band will play the album in its entirety live for the very first time. Shepherd says it's been rewarding to revisit the album, which introduced him and his music to the world and helped create his fanbase that continues to support him after three decades.

Why it matters

Shepherd's debut album 'Ledbetter Heights' was a breakthrough moment for the young bluesman, establishing him as a rising star in the genre. The album's 30th anniversary tour provides an opportunity for Shepherd to reconnect with his roots and give fans a special experience by performing the album in full for the first time.

The details

For the tour, Shepherd has recorded a new version of 'Ledbetter Heights' with singer Noah Hunt, who didn't sing on the original album but will perform the songs live. Shepherd has also added a horn section to his band to enhance the live performances. The album's title pays tribute to the Shreveport, Louisiana neighborhood where Shepherd grew up and blues great Lead Belly. Shepherd wrote or co-wrote many of the songs on the album, crediting his grandmother's poetry as an early influence on his songwriting.

  • Shepherd's debut album 'Ledbetter Heights' was released in 1995.
  • The 30th anniversary tour for 'Ledbetter Heights' will take place in 2026.
  • Shepherd will perform the album in its entirety for the first time on the upcoming tour.

The players

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

An American singer-guitarist known for his blues rock music. He released his debut album 'Ledbetter Heights' in 1995 at the age of 17, which helped establish him as a rising star in the blues genre.

Noah Hunt

The singer who will perform the songs from 'Ledbetter Heights' live on Shepherd's upcoming anniversary tour, even though he did not sing on the original album.

Lead Belly

The blues great whose name and legacy inspired the title of Shepherd's debut album 'Ledbetter Heights', which references the Shreveport, Louisiana neighborhood where Shepherd grew up.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's been amazing and a pretty nostalgic experience to go back to that record. First of all, it's a monumental anniversary for me. It's my debut record. It's the album and songs that introduced me and my music to the world and helped create this fanbase that continues to show up for us after three decades. It's significant. I'm kind of blown away that I was 17 years when I recorded the album and that it still stands up today.”

— Kenny Wayne Shepherd

“I'm a huge blues fan, and I grew up listening to a ton of blues music when I was learning to play guitar. It is the primary foundation of my music. It always starts with blues. I learned so much from guys like Lead Belly. I thought it was appropriate for an album title. It references my hometown. Ledbetter Heights is a part of downtown Shreveport named in honor of Lead Belly, and title ties in my love and appreciation for the blues.”

— Kenny Wayne Shepherd

“She was a poet, and she wrote poems all the time. I used to read her poetry all the time, and it trained me. When I was a kid, I would write poetry as well. It's something that a lot of kids do. The two basic elements are poetry and music. Those are the two fundamental things you have to understand to write a song. I had an early start with that, and I got introduced to great songwriters that I collaborated with on that record. They ended up being longtime collaborators, and I learned a lot from them.”

— Kenny Wayne Shepherd

What’s next

The Ledbetter Heights Anniversary Tour with Kenny Wayne Shepherd performing the album in its entirety will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage.

The takeaway

Kenny Wayne Shepherd's debut album 'Ledbetter Heights' was a landmark moment that introduced the young bluesman to the world and established him as a rising star in the genre. Thirty years later, Shepherd's anniversary tour celebrating the album provides an opportunity for him to reconnect with his roots and give fans a special experience by performing the album in full for the first time.