Dallas, Texas, October 1, 2025
News Summary
Kenny Wayne Shepherd is set to embark on a major tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Ledbetter Heights. The tour will begin in Dallas, Texas, and consists of nearly 40 shows across the United States, with performances highlighting the entire Ledbetter Heights album and selections from Shepherd’s extensive career. Special guests will join on selected dates, and tickets will go on sale beginning with pre-sales soon.
Dallas, Texas
Overview
Kenny Wayne Shepherd has announced a major tour to mark the 30th anniversary of his debut album. The tour, titled the Ledbetter Heights 30th Anniversary Tour, will kick off on February 19, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. The tour is scheduled to continue through spring 2026, with performances at various theaters and performing arts centers across the United States. The tour will cover a total of nearly 40 shows, concluding on June 13, 2026, in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Key details and ticketing
Tickets for the tour will go on sale starting with a special artist pre-sale on September 30, followed by venue pre-sales on October 1, and a general on-sale on October 3 at 10 AM local time. Multiple pre-sale windows are planned to give fans early access before the general public on-sale.
Performance features and special guests
Attendees will hear Ledbetter Heights performed in its entirety, along with other highlights from Shepherd’s extensive 30-year career. Vocalist Noah Hunt, who has featured on all of Shepherd’s albums since the debut, will perform during the tour, providing a long-awaited performance of Ledbetter Heights material live.
Special guests joining Shepherd will include Jimmie Vaughan in Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee, and Eric Johnson in Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The mix of guest artists is scheduled on specific dates in select cities.
Route and venues
The announcement indicates a spring 2026 run at theaters and performing arts centers, with specific tour dates set for cities including Oklahoma City, Memphis, Atlanta, Nashville, and several locations in Florida, Illinois, and Michigan. The itinerary begins in Dallas, Texas, and finishes in Bossier City, Louisiana, after a run of nearly 40 shows.
Background on Ledbetter Heights and Shepherd’s career
Shepherd’s debut album, Ledbetter Heights, released in 1995, achieved Gold status within months, then Platinum by early 1996, and helped elevate him to No. 3 on Guitar World’s list of top blues artists, following only B.B. King and Eric Clapton. The album was originally recorded while Shepherd was still in high school and reflects years of influence from iconic blues artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. Shepherd wrote or co-wrote nearly all tracks on the album, which was named after a neighborhood in Shreveport, Louisiana, honoring local blues legend Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter.
Later work and collaborations
Over three decades Shepherd has continued to develop his sound and collaborate widely. He has a discography that includes 12 solo albums and two albums with the supergroup The Rides, featuring Stephen Stills and Barry Goldberg. He has toured with major acts such as Bob Dylan, Van Halen, The Rolling Stones, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. More recently, Shepherd collaborated with blues icon Bobby Rush on a double album titled Dirt on My Diamonds Vol. 1 & 2.
What to expect at shows
The anniversary tour mixes a complete performance of the 1995 debut with selections spanning Shepherd’s three-decade career. The announced lineup includes guest appearances on select dates and the long-time presence of Noah Hunt on vocals. Performances are planned at theaters and performing arts centers, emphasizing a stage setup suited to both the full-album presentation and additional career highlights.
Where to get more information
The official website for Kenny Wayne Shepherd will have additional information and details regarding the tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Ledbetter Heights 30th Anniversary Tour kick off?
The tour, titled the Ledbetter Heights 30th Anniversary Tour, will kick off on February 19, 2026, in Dallas, Texas.
How long will the tour run and where does it conclude?
The tour will cover a total of nearly 40 shows, concluding on June 13, 2026, in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Where will performances take place?
The tour is scheduled to continue through spring 2026, with performances at various theaters and performing arts centers across the United States.
Will the album be played in full?
Attendees will hear Ledbetter Heights performed in its entirety, along with other highlights from Shepherd’s extensive 30-year career.
Who are the special guests on the tour?
Special guests joining Shepherd will include Jimmie Vaughan in Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee, and Eric Johnson in Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets for the tour will go on sale starting with a special artist pre-sale on September 30, followed by venue pre-sales on October 1, and a general on-sale on October 3 at 10 AM local time.
What is notable about the original Ledbetter Heights album?
Shepherd’s debut album, Ledbetter Heights, released in 1995, achieved Gold status within months, then Platinum by early 1996, and helped elevate him to No. 3 on Guitar World’s list of top blues artists, following only B.B. King and Eric Clapton.
Who will perform on stage with Shepherd?
Vocalist Noah Hunt, who has featured on all of Shepherd’s albums since the debut, will perform during the tour, providing a long-awaited performance of Ledbetter Heights material live.
Where can I find more tour information?
The official website for Kenny Wayne Shepherd will have additional information and details regarding the tour.
Tour summary
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tour title | Ledbetter Heights 30th Anniversary Tour |
| Kickoff | February 19, 2026, in Dallas, Texas |
| End date | June 13, 2026, in Bossier City, Louisiana |
| Number of shows | nearly 40 shows |
| Performance scope | performances at various theaters and performing arts centers across the United States |
| Album performed | Ledbetter Heights performed in its entirety |
| Key guests (selected dates) | Jimmie Vaughan (Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee); Eric Johnson (Jacksonville; Fort Lauderdale, Florida) |
| Ticket sale timeline | artist pre-sale on September 30; venue pre-sales on October 1; general on-sale on October 3 at 10 AM local time |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Des Moines Register
- Rock and Blues Muse
- WNYPapers
- The Urban Music Scene
- Google Search: Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
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