KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD
TO PERFORM AT WCU APRIL 21

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd will perform his mix of blues with a hard rock edge at Western Carolina University on Friday, April 21, at 8 p.m.

The concert will take place in the Ramsey Regional Activity Center and the doors will open at 7 p.m.

Shepherd is “Mr. August” in this year's Rolling Stone Magazine calendar for the year in rock and is featured on the CD “Les Paul and Friends: American Made,” along with other renowned guitarists, such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Keith Richards.

At age 13, Shepherd began receiving critical acclaim as a guitarist, due in part to extensive touring. He recorded his first album “ Ledbetter Heights ,” which is certified gold, while he was still in high school. Two years later, Shepherd released the Grammy-nominated “Trouble Is . . .,” which featured the hits “Slow Ride” and “Blue on Black” and is certified platinum.

Shepherd's third album, “Live On,” also was nominated for a Grammy and his reputation as a live performer continued to grow due to constant touring across the globe. His fourth CD, “The Place You're In,” is the first to feature Shepherd singing lead vocals, as well as playing guitar.

“I had a real moment of clarity,” said Shepherd. “I suddenly saw myself up on stage, fronting the band, singing and playing guitar. I finally locked in on how those two elements can work off each other.”

General admission tickets for the April 21 event are $15 for arena seats and $20 for floor seats. WCU students with valid identification can purchase arena seats for $10 and floor seats for $15.

To purchase tickets, call the Ramsey Center box office at (828) 227-7722, or go online at http://ramseycenter.ticketsxchange.com .