"There's still so much more to come": Kenny Wayne Shepherd talks 'Dirt on My Diamonds Vol 2' & More | Interview

"There's still so much more to come": Kenny Wayne Shepherd talks 'Dirt on My Diamonds Vol 2' & More | Interview

Kenny Wayne Shepherd has never been a guy who takes the easy road. Since exploding onto the blues-rock scene as a teenage guitar prodigy, Shepherd has always pushed the boundaries of modern blues-rock, never settling for the status quo. Now, after nearly three decades, the blues guitar great is back with 'Dirt on My Diamonds', Volume Two—the second half of a double album. As Shepherd tells Nick Jennison in this exclusive interview, "there's still so much more to come."

Following the success of 'Dirt on My Diamonds', Volume One, released in November 2023, Volume Two feels like the final piece of a carefully crafted puzzle. The idea for two albums emerged naturally during Shepherd's writing sessions at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

"When I started writing these songs, I began to see two individual identities emerge," Shepherd says. "You'll hear the same spirit across both albums, but the songs, sounds, and grooves are very different." Those grooves were born in one of music's most iconic studios, where legends like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Little Richard once recorded. "The whole reason we went down to Muscle Shoals," Shepherd said, "was to soak up the vibe that's been left in that room for so many decades."

For a musician like Shepherd, who balances reverence for blues greats with his own path, the Muscle Shoals vibe was exactly what he needed.

'Dirt on My Diamonds' represents more than just a collection of songs. It's a mission to push blues into uncharted territory without losing its roots. "I'm not there to party," he said of the recording process. "From the moment I walk in the door until I leave, I'm there to work. I'm a man on a mission, if you will."

Shepherd decided to release 'Dirt on My Diamonds' as two separate albums to let each part breathe, giving Volume One and Volume Two nearly a year apart to create their own space. "I had a visual of those two albums with the same artwork, but different color schemes in red and blue," he explained. "But instead of doing it a year and a half apart, we're releasing both in less than 12 months. It keeps us on the road playing new music."

And make no mistake: Shepherd is a road warrior. Even as he talks about writing and recording, he mentions how this new music keeps his band rolling. "Every time we put a record out, that means another new tour. This music is gonna carry us well into the end of 2025," he says with satisfaction.

With Volume One already in the hands of fans and critics, Volume Two completes the journey Shepherd began back in those Muscle Shoals sessions. The result? A body of work that's cohesive but distinct. Each volume stands on its own, yet together, they make a bold artistic statement.

Opening with "I Got A Woman," the new album comes to life with Shepherd's signature guitar tone, bolstered by a lively horn section. "To me, that's the answer song to 'Woman Like You' on The Traveler," Shepherd says. "He's got the woman now, and she's everything he hoped she would be."

That groove continues with "The Middle," a funky, horn-driven track where Shepherd dips into social commentary, reflecting on the pressures of modern life. "I try not to veer off into politics," he notes, "but that song has a few observations."

For those craving Shepherd's melancholic side, "My Guitar Is Crying," co-written with James LeBlanc, offers an emotional core. "I've had moments where the only thing there for you is your guitar," Shepherd admits. "But in this song, even the guitar is moaning."

Tracks like "Never Made It To Memphis" bring humor, telling the lighthearted story of a man chasing a woman across the country. "It's a pursuit situation that never works out," Shepherd laughs. "But in the end, he winds up with the girl."

"Watch You Go" brings classic blues swagger with a winking guitar solo featuring a "Leslie speaker effect," adding a frantic energy. Meanwhile, "Pressure" explores society's obsession with image and validation. "Everyone is thinking about their social media count," he says. "It's a relentless pursuit of something that's never going to make you happy."

Volume Two wraps up with a cover of ZZ Top's "She Loves My Automobile"—a nod to Shepherd's passion for cars. "I always admired how Billy Gibbons could blend his passions without coming across as cheesy," Shepherd says. It's the perfect high-octane closer to an album that's as much about joy as it is about pushing boundaries.

Part of what makes 'Dirt on My Diamonds, Volume Two' a sonic treat is Shepherd's unmistakable guitar tone. His signature Fender Strat makes plenty of appearances, but what elevates his playing are the amps and pedals he carefully selects for each track.

"At any given time, all my amps were built by Alexander Dumble," Shepherd says, referring to the boutique amplifier genius. "I have 11 different amps that he built for me. Each one's a different sound and circuit."

Shepherd's pedalboard includes the Analog Man King of Tone, an Octavia, a Univibe, and a vintage Vox Clyde McCoy Wah pedal. His attention to detail ensures each track on Volume Two feels distinct yet cohesive.

At 46, Shepherd has seen the industry evolve dramatically. Yet, he remains relevant while staying true to his roots. "I still feel like there's always more to explore musically," he reflects. "We've had tremendous success, and I'm so grateful for that. But I just want to keep pushing the limits."

With 'Dirt on My Diamonds, Volume Two,' Shepherd has certainly done that. It's an album that doesn't rest on its blues laurels. It reaches forward, challenging the listener while staying grounded in the traditions that define his music.

For a guy who could easily coast on past glories, Kenny Wayne Shepherd is still hungry, still looking for the next great riff, the next emotional hook, the next opportunity to evolve. And if Volume Two is any indication, he's just getting started.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd's "Dirt on My Diamonds',' Volume Two is available to stream on all major platforms worldwide via Mascot/Provogue Records.

For more information on Kenny Wayne Shepherd, please visit: kennywayneshepherd.net