Ally Venable: Rising Blues Star and Inspiration for Young Musicians
Ally Venable, the 23-year-old Texas-born blues guitarist and singer, has taken the music world by storm, proving herself as a force to be reckoned with in contemporary blues. With a musical career spanning nearly a decade, Venable has released multiple albums, including the acclaimed Heart of Fire, which reached number two on Billboard’s Blues Albums chart. Her latest album, Real Gone, showcases not only her exceptional musical talent but also her vision for inspiring the next generation, especially young girls.
A Path to Blues Stardom
Venable’s love for the blues started at a young age, sparked by an unexpected encounter with Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texas Flood album when she was just 12. Introduced to the genre by her father, Venable became captivated by Vaughan’s playing style and emotional delivery. From there, she dove into learning guitar, influenced by the likes of Buddy Guy and other blues legends.
“I just connected with it,” she explains. “Seeing Stevie play made me want to pick up the electric guitar, and from there, I started learning his songs and then moving on to Buddy Guy’s music.” Venable’s ability to learn by ear helped her grow quickly as a musician, and by her teens, she was already performing live shows anywhere she could—from coffee shops to crawfish stands.
Her playing style, marked by a combination of traditional blues influences and a modern flair, has won the admiration of many established blues musicians. Buddy Guy and Joe Bonamassa, both legends in their own right, appear on Real Gone, each contributing to tracks that highlight Venable’s growth as both a guitarist and a vocalist. On the track “Texas Louisiana,” Venable and Guy seamlessly intertwine vocals and guitar solos, creating a dynamic performance that showcases their unique musical chemistry. Meanwhile, Bonamassa’s soulful playing shines on “Next Time I See You,” complementing Venable’s emotive voice.
Breaking the Mold: A Role Model for Young Girls
Despite her rapid rise to success, Venable remains grounded in her mission to inspire others, especially young women. “I want to be an inspiration to young girls,” she says, recalling the moments when she sees young fans lining up after her shows to ask for autographs or simply to talk. “If I can be a role model to girls and get them to pick up the guitar, then I’ll feel like I made a real impact.”
Venable’s commitment to her craft and her desire to break the mold of what’s expected in the blues scene have made her a standout figure. She talks about how she likes “breaking rules” and how, early on, she wasn’t aware of the “rules” of the industry—she just went ahead and started releasing music. Her boldness and determination have allowed her to carve her own path, and her ability to inspire young women to follow suit is a testament to her character.
Real Gone: A Testament to Growth
Venable’s latest album, Real Gone, represents a new chapter in her musical journey. Produced by Tom Hambridge, the album was written in just two days, a testament to the synergy between Ally Venable, Hambridge, and songwriter Rich Fleming. “I handed the reins to Tom this time,” Venable explains, describing how it allowed her to focus on her performance and let go in the studio. The result is her most polished and cohesive album to date, filled with standout tracks like the half-acoustic, half-electric “Blues Is My Best Friend” and the driving blues-rock title track.
Her instrumental prowess is particularly evident on this record, where Venable’s guitar playing never feels repetitive. She credits much of her stylistic development to influences like Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, and of course, Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as her affinity for the wah pedal, which she uses to add a “glide” to her playing. “It’s like this other frequency,” she says, describing how the wah allows her to tap into a different dimension of her musical expression.
Collaborations with the Best
Working with blues giants like Buddy Guy and Joe Bonamassa on Real Gone was a dream come true for Ally Venable. Her collaboration with Guy on “Texas Louisiana” was particularly special, as the two shared the studio and exchanged musical ideas in a way that felt like a passing of the torch. “It’s a pretty magical thing working with Buddy,” she says. “We have a dialog with our guitars—we’re friends, and we’ve toured together.”
Venable’s experience with Bonamassa was equally enriching, though more structured. Bonamassa’s part on “Next Time I See You” was recorded separately, but his presence on the track complements Venable’s performance, resulting in one of the album’s standout moments. “It’s Joe Bonamassa, you know?” Venable laughs, explaining that she didn’t want to take away from his contributions.
A Bright Future
As Venable continues to rise in the blues world, her ambition remains clear: to push the genre forward while also serving as an inspiration to future generations. Her combination of technical skill, emotional depth, and dedication to her craft has earned her a place among the top contemporary blues artists. As she embarks on this new chapter, it’s clear that Ally Venable’s journey has only just begun, and her influence is already being felt by a new wave of musicians.
With Real Gone, Venable not only solidifies her place in the blues but also sets her sights on making a lasting impact on the next generation of guitarists—especially young women looking for a role model to show them that they, too, can break the rules and succeed.
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