Kenny Wayne Shepherd opens for Van Halen The best of the blues

August 3, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

There’s little doubt the recent passing of legend B.B. King leaves a massive hole within the blues. One person mourning King’s death is guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who as a 15-year-old prodigy toured with “The Thrill is Gone” performer.

“I got to know him very well doing many tours with him,” said Shepherd, calling from Bakersfield, Calif. “He gave me all kinds of advice, but really the biggest thing was our personal relationship in that I was able to see an example of a human being who I wanted to be like.

“He was just such a great example, somebody who has been more successful than most people can ever hope to be and was still like tremendously humble and always made time for people. He was very gracious and a really great example for what I’d like to be when I grow up.”

Over the last two decades, Shepherd has grown up under the tutelage of the greats through inspiration and interaction. There’s his 2007 CD/DVD effort “10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads,” which included a documentary of his meeting blues pioneers such as King, Etta Baker, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown and more.

Then there’s Shepherd’s most recent album, 2014’s “Goin’ Home.” The project found the Grammy Award-nominated guitarist performing material popularized by blues icons such as King, Albert King, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells.

Guests joining Shepherd in the studio for the recording of “Goin’ Home” include Joe Walsh, Warren Haynes, Keb’ Mo’, Robert Randolph and Ringo Starr. If proof was needed the future of the genre is in good hands, Shepherd provided the evidence on “Goin’ Home.”

“This last record was pretty much all traditional blues and basically all cover material, which is like the soundtrack of my childhood,” Shepherd said. “Basically, I was paying tribute to some of the musicians that inspired me to play and do my own versions of some of the songs that I grew up listening to and learning to play guitar to.”

Up next for Shepherd are a multitude of projects. There’s a new album from The Rides (featuring Shepherd with Stephen Stills and Barry Goldberg) due out early next year, as well as his own live DVD concert recording scheduled for release in late 2016. Also, Shepherd said he plans to record a new studio album of original material with his band.

In the meantime, Shepherd – known for radio hits “Blue on Black,” “True Lies,” “Somehow, Somewhere, Someway,” “In 2Deep,” “Shotgun Blues” and “Last Goodbye” – is spending the summer opening for Van Halen. The bill rolls through Northeast Ohio today for a show at Blossom Music Center.

“I knew this would be a lot of fun and the audience would be receptive because they like guitar-centric music,” Shepherd said. “Mine just happens to be in a slightly different vein, heavily blues influence, but it’s a similar audience. I think it’s a great match.”

This actually marks the second time the guitarist had the opportunity to open for the rock legends. The first time took place during the ill-fated Van Halen III period featuring Gary Cherone.

“There a different energy with each incarnation of Van Halen,” Shepherd said. “I think it’s cool that we’ve been able to be a part of two out of the three versions of Van Halen.”

Hmm, perhaps Shepherd could be the one who brings former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar back into the fold?

“I don’t want any responsibility for anything like that,” Shepherd laughed. “That’s up to them. It’s their band.”