MORGANTOWN — At 41, acclaimed bluesman Kenny Wayne Shepherd has more than 20 years in the music industry under his belt. The Louisiana-born guitarist got his start at 16 and, since 1995, has released eight studio albums and has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards.
On Friday, he’ll bring his awarding-winning sound to the Metropolitan Theatre, when he and his band will take the stage. The show begins at 8 p.m.
Shepherd is supporting 2017’s “Lay It On Down,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums, Rock and Internet charts. Recorded at his home in Shreveport, and co-produced by Marshall Altman, Shepherd told Billboard prior to its release that he “wanted to grab from several different genres.”
Soul, country and rock all make an appearance on the record, an about-face from the traditional blues of 2014’s “Goin’ Home.”
Shepherd wrote “Lay It On Down’s” songs with a variety of co-writers, including longtime collaborators Mark Selby and Tia Sillers, and noted tunesmiths Dylan Altman, Brian Maher, Danny Myrick and Keith Stegall.
“I wanted to play to our strengths, but I also wanted to make an album full of music that people haven’t heard from us before,” he said in a release. “I’m pulling from a lot of different periods and genres on this one.
“I wanted to strike a balance between the heavy emotional stuff and the stuff that will put a smile on your face. A new album should feel new and refreshing, and this one definitely feels that way to me.”
He’ll be joined Friday by opening act the Peterson Brothers Band. Based in Austin, the group is led by brothers Glenn Jr., 21, and Alex, 19, who blend soul, funk, blues and jazz in their improvisation-heavy shows.
- The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band will perform Friday at the Metropolitan Theatre, 371 High St. Doors open at 7 p.m. Show begins at 8 p.m. The Peterson Brothers Band will open. Tickets range from $38-$58 and are available at ticketfly.com. All-ages show.
