Lay It On Down, five-time Grammy nominee and critically acclaimed guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s ninth album, debuts at #1 on Nielsen SoundScan’s Top Blues chart, #1 on both theCurrent Rock Albums chart and Internet Albums chart, #5 on the Top Current Albumschart and #34 on the Top 200. The record is out to critical acclaim on Concord Records.
“[Shepherd] is a guitarist who can easily mesmerize an audience with his playing ability and through his passionate and energetic solos.”
“There’s sufficient nitro-burning, blues-drenched shredding to keep live audiences playing their air guitars. But Shepherd’s obvious attention to and insistence on exceptional material with musical…inventiveness continues to impress, and 22 years into his career raises him and Lay It On Down above his plentiful competition.”
“The gentle ‘Lay It On Down’—which Shepherd co-wrote with ‘Blue On Black’ collaborators Mark Selby and Tia Sillers—certainly represents something different for Shepherd and company.”
“[‘Baby Got Gone’ is] the most rollicking country-infused rock track you’ve heard in a long time.”
“…a king-size helping of Shepherd’s trademark roots-rocking fireworks.”
“Shepherd joined forces with some of Nashville’s best hit songwriting teams to further along his smoking guitar prowess, proving that he’s got musical talent to spare beyond
his trademark technique.”
“This variety, when melded with such tasteful execution, turns Lay It On Down into not only one of Shepherd’s richest records but one of his best.”
“Lay It On Down showcases a more roots-based, Americana sound from Shepherd, and the guitarist was inspired by several genres and musical eras during its inception. The album was recorded super-old-school—live in the studio to analog tape.”
“Some of the sauciest, sweetest lead guitar chops you’ll hear this side of 2017…just listen, and let the riffs just take you away with the wind.”
Recorded at Echophone Studios in Shepherd’s hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana and produced by Shepherd with Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson, Natasha Bedingfield, Kate Voegele), the album was largely recorded live in the studio to analog tape.
“Diamonds & Gold,” the latest single off Lay It On Down, recently premiered via Guitar Player. Additionally, Billboard premiered the record’s title track, while CMT Music premiered the video for the album’s first single, “Baby Got Gone.”
Shepherd’s band on Lay It On Down features long-time band members Noah Hunt and Chris Layton, along with bassist from Shepherd’s supergroup side project The Rides Kevin McCormick and keyboardist Jimmy McGorman. “I’m proud of the album we have delivered to the fans and I think they’ll be excited by what they hear,” notes Shepherd. “The band we’ve assembled did a fantastic job bringing these songs to life and conveying the musical message to the listener. Now we are looking forward to bringing this new music to the live show to watch it develop even more.” Shepherd further discusses the writing/recording process in the new album’s video trailer, watch/share it HERE.Shepherd is currently on a U.S. tour in support of the album’s release. See below for a list of dates.
Lay It On Down finds Shepherd two decades into a recording career that began when he was 16. Shepherd has sold millions of albums worldwide and, in addition to his five Grammy nominations, he has won two Billboard Music Awards, a pair of Orville H. Gibson awards, the Blues Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive award and two Blues Music awards. He’s had six #1 blues albums and a string of #1 mainstream rock singles, and his acclaimed documentary project 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads was the top-selling blues album of 2007. Shepherd’s last release, 2014’s Goin’ Home (Concord Records), debuted at #25 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and spent several weeks at #1 on the Billboard Blues chart.
LAY IT ON DOWN TRACK LIST
1. Baby Got Gone
2. Diamonds & Gold
3. Nothing But The Night
4. Lay It On Down
5. She’s $$$
6. Hard Lesson Learned
7. Down For Love
8. How Low Can You Go
9. Louisiana Rain
10. Ride Of Your Life
2. Diamonds & Gold
3. Nothing But The Night
4. Lay It On Down
5. She’s $$$
6. Hard Lesson Learned
7. Down For Love
8. How Low Can You Go
9. Louisiana Rain
10. Ride Of Your Life
THE KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND LIVE
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August 14
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Annapolis, MD
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Rams Head on Stage
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August 15
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Annapolis, MD
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Rams Head on Stage
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August 16
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Morristown, NJ
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Mayo Performing Arts Center
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August 18
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Portland, ME
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Aura
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August 19
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Northampton, MA
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Calvin Theatre
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August 20
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Derry, NH
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Tupelo Music Hall
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August 22
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Bar Harbor, ME
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Criterion Theatre
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August 23
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Ridgefield, CT
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Ridgefield Playhouse
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August 25
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Harrisburg, PA
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Whitaker Center
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August 26
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E. Providence, RI
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Bold Point Park
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August 27
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Beverly, MA
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Cabot Theatre
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September 1
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Milwaukee, WI
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Harley Davidson Museum
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September 8
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Sacramento, CA
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Crest Theatre
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September 9
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Redwood City, CA
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Fox Theatre
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September 10
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Guerneville, CA
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Russian River Jazz Festival
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September 15
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Cottonwood, AZ
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Thunder Valley Rally
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September 16
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Las Vegas, NV
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Tropicana Theater
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September 18
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Kansas City, MO
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Uptown Theater
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September 19
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Des Moines, IA
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Hoy Sherman Place
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September 21
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Wichita, KS
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The Cotillion Ballroom
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September 22
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Springfield, MO
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Gillioz Theatre
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September 23
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Louisville, KY
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Bourbon & Beyond Festival
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September 24
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Munhall, PA
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Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead
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September 26
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Durham, NC
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Carolina Theatre of Durham
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September 28
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Atlanta, GA
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Center Stage
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September 29
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New Orleans, LA
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Orpheum Theatre
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October 14
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Merrillville, IN
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Star Plaza Theatre
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