Jimi Hendrix Bassist Billy Cox Defends Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Last week blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd had his 2021 nomination for Best Blues Rock Artist by the Blues Foundation and the Blues Music Awards rescinded, and his father Ken Shepherd was kicked off the foundation’s Board of Directors after revelations that Kenny Wayne Shepherd previously owned a replica Dodge Charger similar to the one featured in the popular CBS television show Dukes of Hazzard.
The daughter of blues legend Muddy Waters posted to social media, “It has come to my attention that a winner of the Blues Foundation Award for Best Blues Something or Other proudly displayed a Confederate Flag on his social media pages, drove around with it on his **cking car … Why haven’t y’all descended on the Blues Foundation in droves and demand they rescind that award to that mother**cking racist?”
For his part Kenny Wayne Shepherd explained that he’d retired the car “years ago” and covered the Confederate symbol that sits on top of the car. He said in part, “It was completely against my values and offensive to the African American community which created the music I love so much and I apologize to anyone that I have unintentionally hurt because of it … I want to make something very clear and unequivocal; I condemn and stand in complete opposition to all forms of racism and oppression and always have.“
Nonetheless, the Blues Foundation has stood by their decision to exclude Kenny Wayne Shepherd from consideration for awards, despite Shepherd’s long history of supporting black blues legends, including his Grammy-nominated project 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads from 2004.
Now, a high profile member of the rock and blues community who toured and collaborated with Kenny Wayne Shepherd over the years has come out in support of of the blues guitarist. Billy Cox was the bass player who backed up Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, and later became a member of Hendrix’s “Band of Gypsys” that proceeded The Jimi Hendrix Experience trio. The 81-year-old has also collaborated with Sam Cooke, Slim Harpo, Etta James, and many more. He also performs in Jimi Hendrix tribute bands trying to keep the Hendrix legacy alive.
“The Mrs. and I know Kenny,” Billy Cox said in a statement on Sunday (3-21). “We have traveled many miles together with Kenny, his band and his management. Lots of days and nights together in close quarters. The Mrs. even calls, Kenny and Noah (vocalist KWS Band) her ‘youngins.’ For us that says it all about the kind of person that Kenny is and we know that he does not deserve the ‘cross-town traffic’ that he is caught in … I value Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s talent as an artist, respect and applaud the way he treats his family and fellow man.”
Billy Cox—who is also well-known for collaborating with Charlie Daniels over the years and participating in Charlie’s cross-genre Volunteer Jams—also spoke specifically about The Dukes of Hazzard, and about the hazards of dismantling history in his statement. Billy Cox also spoke about how people should be focused on the real injustices for black artists in music, which is the undervaluing, and underpayment over the years.
The full text can be seen below.
I hope everyone has been doing “OK” since we last talked. In challenging times like these, “OK” is an Ok place to be.
I came out of hibernation because I heard about Kenny Wayne Shepherd having his nomination for Blues Rock Artist of the Year being rescinded by one of those Blues outfits. It seems that the basis of this rescinding is this: Kenny has a replica car like the one in the very popular DUKES OF HAZZARD television show.
I have not talked to Kenny and will not take the liberty of getting off into his head. But I do believe that since Kenny is around our son’s age, he saw a car that was a replica of the car in a favorite tv show that he watched growing up and being a successful musician, he had the money to buy the replica. Why not? I understand he had the controversial flag on top of the car covered….Why the selective outrage? “Who Knows “? I just don’t understand.
Being an African American musician for over 60 years and starting out in Jim Crow south, you must know that I have some deep tire tracks across my back. Most importantly, if one wants to be outraged about something: why not about those black artists from back in the day that have not rightly received recognition or payment for their music? Most of popular American music is based on their contributions. It can be rightly argued. Some of these cats were my mentors, I knew many, played with a lot of them and heard about others. That is my History. I could tell you some stories that would make you pull out a towel. Financial misuse, abuse, being neglected, living and dying broke, while the profiteers continue to live large off naive and vulnerable black artists.
By the way, my son and his friends would watch the show many Friday nights on a big screen television at a local pizza restaurant. His mom and I would be there, all enjoying the show. We are not politically naive or historically ignorant, we saw the flag and heard the name(s) but never did we detect any hint or suggestion that demeaned our culture or our ancestors. Neither do I remember any defending, justifying or attacking either side of the issue(s) and conflict. So, there was no temptation to fight the war again, while watching a television show.
Trust me, we were more than aware but we never- ever stopped to resent or be angry about the car or some of the historical names mentioned and shown. There were “some good ol’ boys” and then there were the comically bad guys. We enjoyed the show, the laughs together and the pizza.
With all that being said, the Mrs. and I know Kenny. We have traveled many miles together with Kenny, his band and his management. Lots of days and nights together in close quarters. The Mrs. even calls, Kenny and Noah (vocalist KWS Band) her “youngins”. For us that says it all about the kind of person that Kenny is and we know that he does not deserve the “cross-town traffic” that he is caught in.
Let us not overlook that this controversy speaks to a BIGGER ISSUE and that is the dismantling of our country’s history. I believe, to avoid and to correct previous mistakes, we must see it all. History must be comprehensive, although most times it has not been. WE OVERLY KNOW THAT…. and…that is why we speak now. To dismantle and to do away with, could make it easier to later claim certain events or atrocities never happened; because, there would be no reminders. Show the history, the good, bad and ugly, warts and all. It can serve as a reminder for us to avoid the pitfalls of human nature and the knowledge that we are obligated to pass on.
American History is filled with great contributors, many were flawed statesmen, geniuses and trailblazers but their flaws should never be the excuse to dismiss or undermine their value. Most especially, I’m reminded of the Master who challenged: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone…”…By the way, we remember all the accusers, turned and left.
It is a spiritual attribute; therefore, Love or its kindreds can never be legislated or forced. Everyone should have the right or freedom to like or to NOT like me, appreciate or NOT appreciate me, agree with me or not agree with me. In that way I’m protecting my expressions by protecting yours.
I value Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s talent as an artist, respect and applaud the way he treats his family and fellow man. All else, Kenny Wayne Shepherd should be STONE FREE to do as he pleases.
Stay Free, The Last Gypsy, Billy Cox-A bass player
March 22, 2021 @ 11:11 am
Wow – that was a beautiful statement. Too bad the cowards in Mumford and Sons don’t have the balls to stand up for their bandmate like that.
March 22, 2021 @ 2:07 pm
“Too bad the cowards in Mumford and Sons don’t have the balls to stand up for their bandmate like that.”
I agree, but I also think it’s too bad the Mumford guy didn’t have the balls to stand up for himself, and instead turtled and knelt before the cancel cult, hat in hadn’t, and apologized. KWS has done the same thing.
Neither had a reason to apologize. When you do that, you give more power to the people trying to destroy you. Stand up and cancel the cancel cult.
March 22, 2021 @ 11:28 am
Thats good to hear(read). It’s too bad that the hateful words of a few loud people will be heard but the kind words of a man who has lived through hate but says good things without a single curse word will be swept under the carpet. This wont make it anywhere else except on this site.
March 22, 2021 @ 11:50 am
Well stated Mr. Cox, well stated.
Kudos to Redbeard and Andy Kaknes
March 22, 2021 @ 12:06 pm
Well said.
March 22, 2021 @ 12:44 pm
1 “tire tracks all across my back”
2 “cross town traffic”
3″ stone free”
like the way he worked those in.
Very nice statement by Billy Cox, who clearly knows what hes talking about, and who played on one of the greatest live concerts in rock, new years eve band of gypsies.
March 24, 2021 @ 8:38 am
Best of all : “Who Knows?”
March 22, 2021 @ 12:48 pm
Billy Cox speaks the truth. It is amazing to see an old legend step up speak in defense for a a younger friend. It still boggles my mind that the Blues Foundation pulled Kenny’s nomination over some dumb s**t like owning a replica of a famous car, especially since he already addressed it’s historical baggage loud and clear, long before any this buffoonery happened. Hopefully Kenny won’t bend over for the crybullies and stand his ground as he did nothing wrong. Mercy Morganfield & the Blues Foundation can go f**k themselves.
March 22, 2021 @ 12:54 pm
The laughable absurdity of the cancel culture.
March 22, 2021 @ 1:52 pm
Very well said.
And thanks Trigger for reporting on this in an objective way.
March 22, 2021 @ 2:29 pm
Fuck Cancel Culture
March 22, 2021 @ 2:54 pm
Was Ms. Morganfield available for comment, or is she too busy consulting her little red book of approved slurs for socially unjust, insufficiently woke men like Mr. Cox?
Maybe Mr. Fox is not really “family.” We should consult the real pure-blood relations. Who would that be?
March 22, 2021 @ 3:11 pm
So I took a little stroll over to Mercy Morganfield’s Facebook page just for the heck of it, and she obviously has a fairly large chip on her shoulder. One post in particular dated March 11th includes such revelatory statements as “The racial hierarchy in America is a system of oppression with wyte people at the top. Blk people have NEVER had the power. So, blk people can be prejudiced, discriminatory, mean, cruel, ignorant, and stupid…..but blk people cannot be racist” and that old chestnut, “If we say ‘not all wyte people’ they can now, mentally, place themselves in the ‘they are not talking about me’ bucket and dismiss the entire thing. How f…ing white of you.” She also claims that she’s no longer a member of the Blues Foundation board, but it’s pretty frightening to think that someone with such perspectives was ever allowed on the board to begin with, much less carried the power (doubtless on account of her association with a legend) to influence others against an actual blues artist. Billy Cox seems to have his head on straight, though I doubt he’d be inclined to take her spot on the board. Based on Ms. Morganfield’s faulty reasoning, we should probably cancel Skynyrd and half of country music in the process. Absolute nuttiness.
March 22, 2021 @ 3:32 pm
Man Billy Cox is a class act
March 22, 2021 @ 5:02 pm
As a black blues and rock musician and fan, I don’t think KWS should have been treated so automatically. It’s clear he has realized the hurt the confederate flag can cause. I must tell you when I see that flag, it hurts and not just a little. Of course, KWS has a right to keep driving that flag around if he wants, but not without hurting people. So he let it go. He made an effort to recognize that hurt and I appreciate that deeply. It ain’t easy to double back and admit a mistake. I wish culture allowed more space for this kind of thing to happen before automatically cancelling somebody. As time goes on maybe it will.
So yes, I’d say Mercy goes too far. But remember, she, like so many of us, is a hurt person who is tired as hell of being hurt. Many folks I know would say Billy Cox is being too accommodating. I probably fall somewhere in between. But either way, that shouldn’t be the main story. The beautiful story here is that KWS recognized that he was engaged in something hurtful and changed. We all could learn from that and he shouldn’t be punished for it.
March 23, 2021 @ 9:55 am
Well said, thanks.
March 23, 2021 @ 4:21 pm
BroLo, if a flag ‘hurts’ you ‘not just a little’, I suggest you get professional help and find out the real reason behind your pain.
Best of luck.
March 22, 2021 @ 6:45 pm
what a great statement…he nailed everything….props to him for standing up to a friend and fellow musician.
March 22, 2021 @ 7:16 pm
Thank you Billy Cox. I’m thinking of King Curtis playing I Stand Accused. Maybe KWS should play it from now on.
If Mercy wants to go after racist white dudes she should look at Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. Willie Dixon got royally ripped off by Led Zeppelin, and so did every other author, most of them Black, whose songs they stole. Ripping off old black blues guys is racist. Go after legit instances of oppression / thievery.
March 22, 2021 @ 11:32 pm
There was another “cancel culture” in America in the 1960’s under the US government’s COINTELPRO program. Billy Cox was the close friend and bandmate of a black brother who got cancelled by some powerful players back in the day…Truth is we wouldn’t be mentioning Billy if it weren’t for that very special and profound person named Jimi Hendrix. When I read Billy’s usual well-spoken eloquence above I cannot escape strong reminder that Billy, unfortunately, is also participating in the unjust cancelling and erasing he eschews when he fails to come forth and speak of the things he witnessed in the last week of Jimi’s life. I have approached Mr Cox several times, as well as others. Myself, personally, as one of the foremost experts on the subject, I am probably the first person on the planet with a right to do so as Jimi’s apparent advocate. However others have also tried and received the same empty result. Billy, and a few other of his close friends and associates, are in a position to do significant historical justice for what is probably the foremost example of the black justice and reckoning he speaks of above. I know and like Billy and admire him and his remarkable insight, so I hope he takes this as it is meant and not insult. However as a person who has suffered because of my loyalty to Jimi and his magical legacy as well as my advocacy for justice regarding his death, I cannot reconcile what Billy writes above with his actions and hope that he finally does the right thing. He has information that will confirm the credibility of other evidence we have gathered through the years that he probably doesn’t even realize. Right now Mr Cox your silence is the biggest cancellation affecting Jimi (short of a certain singer)…It cancels badly needed validation of Jimi and his life that is as tragically close as your words but as tragically distant as your silence. Unfortunately the “speaking now” Billy references above doesn’t include the person who needs to do it the most – himself…
March 23, 2021 @ 4:23 pm
Sigh. Can we get Billy to admit the earth is flat, too?
March 23, 2021 @ 10:08 pm
It’s a serious subject…It isn’t for the non-serious…I’ve spoken to band mates and friends of Billy’s and he’s admitted it in private…Last year when the subject came up on Facebook Billy commented “people aren’t ready for it” (what is Billy saying there Jimmy?)…In 2019 I did a radio program to 3 million in New York City proving the forensic evidence for homicide that was already available in Jimi’s autopsy but the British government never bothered to process…
March 23, 2021 @ 3:25 am
People that constantly see race in everything are the true racists. It’s becoming that plain and simple. If all someone has going on in their life is race and talking about race then look no further than the mirror for the racist closest to you.
March 23, 2021 @ 6:31 am
Billy Cox….a man with common sense. Nice to hear that from him.????????????????
March 23, 2021 @ 7:36 am
Senator Cox, I like how that sounds…
March 24, 2021 @ 4:27 am
It was a friggin’ TV show…where the “heroes” were antagonists to the “Old South”…Boss Hogg.
Get a grip, people!
Meanwhile, Cancel Culture has extended to my next donation.
March 24, 2021 @ 9:50 am
MLK himself could rise from the grave and give his endorsment of KWS and the cancel culture woketards still wouldn’t give him a pass. we are going down a very dangerous path, that I’m afriad that we will never be able to return from. Lets hope these idiots eat themselves out of existence.
March 26, 2021 @ 4:34 pm
As a college student in the late ’70s, I worked for and greatly admired a black gent of Muddy Waters’ generation. His hospitality establishment, located on the black side of town, was frequented by a racially mixed crowd. Many customers were regulars, others new customers. He did not see race, he saw people. This wisdom he shared by example, not preaching nor judging others. I feel Muddy Waters, of whom my boss was a huge fan, would have shared such wisdom. For example, Muddy employed a series of white musicians in his band over decades. I also feel that, were he still alive, he would convert into a teaching moment the unfortunate error his own granddaughter has perpetrated against KWS and others through her social media militancy grounded in social ignorance.
March 27, 2021 @ 9:56 pm
Does she listen to rap music for enjoyment? If so, she is a hypocrite. Rapper and “Activist” Nipsey Hussle had a music video where he and some others robbed a Brink’s truck and fired machine guns at white cops and one of his songs contains THE defaming word after every single line. Real racism can ce defeated if everyone gets on the same page. Owning the general Lee is not racist. Is owning a Tupac album racist because of the language he calls black people?
March 27, 2021 @ 10:02 pm
For what it’s worth, I believe it was the creator of the Dukes didn’t want to use black “bad guys” because he thought it was perpetuating the stereotype. If you do a little research, as I’m going by memory, you’ll find that the show was in favor of boosting black people and the behind the scenes folk made an effort to do so