Kenny Wayne Shepherd

The mid-1990s blues-rock sensation was still a teenager when this warning shot went up and immediately took over the airwaves in '95. Sheppard's explosive leads, with an emphasis on feedback freakout, a la Jimi, rather than flashiness, is the draw but Sheppard's determination to remain true to his influences will be a surprise to any detractors.

Plays better blues readymades than he writes, writes better blues readymades than his front man sings ("Born With a Broken Heart," "I'm Leaving You [Commit a Crime]") (Grade - *)