Ally Venable Interview
- 11 minutes ago
- 7 min read
"The blues has never been about perfection. It's about telling the truth. When I listen to B.B. King, Buddy Guy, or Albert King, every note has emotion behind it. That's something I try to carry into everything I do. Technique is important, but feeling always comes first for me."
By Linda Cain
Ally Venable Interview
By Linda Cain
The label “child prodigy” is an often overused description, but in the case of
Lone Star State blues-rock guitar slinger Ally Venable, it is entirely appropriate. She began singing in church as a 4-year-old. Inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan’s music, the Kilgore, Texas native first picked up a guitar at age 12. A year later, she formed her own band at age 13.
In 2013, at age 14, she released her debut EP, Wise Man. It didn’t take long before she was hitting the local club stages at only 15-years-old.
Her first indie releases include No Glass Shoes in 2016 and Puppet Show in 2018. Both received charted radio airplay and earned the budding young guitarist a number of East Texas Music Awards and other honors.
In 2018, Germany’s Ruf Records signed Ally and booked her on its European Blues Caravan tour that launched her as international artist. Her 2019 debut on Ruf, Texas Honey, produced by blues-rocker Mike Zito, hit the #2 spot on Billboard’s Blues chart. Kenny Wayne Shepherd played guitar on her next album in 2021, Heart of Fire.
Ally and her band have toured as an opener for Buddy Guy, Shepherd and Canada’s Colin James. She was a featured artist on the Experience Hendrix concert on several tours.
Her recent releases, Real Gone (2023) and Money and Power (2025), include guest artists: Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Shemekia Copeland.
Now at age 27, Ally has established herself as a prolific songwriter who tackles weighty topics, and a powerful vocalist, as well a dynamic performer, dazzling guitarist and popular touring act. She is poised, determined and mature beyond her years; the young artist continues to develop her style and stamp her mark on the future of the blues music that she came to love after hearing Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, B.B. King and other greats as a youngster in her Lone Star State small town.
Chicago Blues Guide editor/founder Linda Cain and Ally Venable exchanged Questions and Answers for a lively interview prior to her appearance on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the North Shore Center in Skokie, IL.
Q. Ally, you hail from the great Lone Star State. Like Chicago, Texas has a rich musical history. Tell us about your upbringing in Kilgore and your musical influences.
I grew up In Kilgore, Texas, where music was always around me. East Texas has such a deep musical heritage, and I was lucky to grow up surrounded by blues, rock, country and gospel. I was introduced to artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King & Buddy Guy. Once I picked up the guitar at 12-years-old, I completely fell in love with it. Texas has always had this fearless approach to guitar playing, and I think that's become part of my own style.
Q. You started playing guitar in venues as a teen. Were your parents strict or supportive?
My parents were incredibly supportive. They believed in me from the beginning, but they also made sure I was safe. They were at every show, loading gear, driving me home at two in the morning, and making sure I could still get up for school the next day. Looking back, I realize how much they sacrificed so I could chase this dream. I definitely wouldn't be here without them.
Q. Texas has given us some dynamite female artists: Sue Foley, Cindy Cashdollar, and Carolyn Wonderland come to mind. Were any of them an influence or inspiration to you growing up?
Absolutely! Carolyn Wonderland especially has been someone l've admired. Sue Foley has always been an incredible guitarist and songwriter! Seeing women who were respected for their musicianship showed me that there was a place for women in blues.
Q. Did you have any mentors along the way?
I've been fortunate to learn from so many people.
Working with artists like Buddy Guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Shemekla Copeland, Joe Bonamassa and others has taught me something different every time. Just being around musicians at that level teaches you about professionalism, humility and always serving the song.
Q. I know you have studied blues history. What have you learned from your forebears?
The biggest lesson is authenticity. The blues has never been about perfection. It's about telling the truth. When I listen to B.B. King, Buddy Guy, or Albert King, every note has emotion behind it. That's something I try to carry into everything I do. Technique is important, but feeling always comes first for me.
Q. How did Thomas Ruf from Germany's Ruf Records discover you? Thomas saw potential in what I was doing and invited me to become part of the Ruf Records family. It opened so many doors for me, especially touring throughout Europe. Ruf has such an incredible legacy in blues music, and it's been an honor to grow alongside the label.
Q. Tell us about your latest Ruf Records release Money and Power.
Money & Power is probably my most personal record so far. It explores ambition, resilience, relationships, confidence and finding your own voice. I wanted it to feel powerful but also honest. Every record reflects where I am in life, and this one captures someone who's learned a lot through experience but still has plenty left to say.
Q. Many of your songs, like the title track and "Unbreakable" with Shemekia Copeland are about female resilience and empowerment. Tell us about your journey as a young lady coming up in a career dominated by male musicians and music business men.
I started very young, so I was often the youngest person in the room and usually the only woman onstage. Early on I realized I couldn't control people's expectations, I could only control my preparation. I wanted people to remember my playing first. Over time I learned that confidence comes from doing the work, staying true to yourself, and not trying to fit into someone else's idea of who you should be.
Q. What strategies have you used to deal with overcoming obstacles, expectations, discrimination and stereotypes?
I've learned to let my work speak for itself. There will always be opinions and assumptions, but consistency wins. I keep showing up, practicing, writing better songs and trying to become a better musician. I also try not to compare myself to anyone else. Staying focused on my own path has been one of the healthiest things I've done.
Q. We are looking forward to your upcoming show on August 22 at the North Shore Center in Skokie.
You knocked us out when you played at the Blues on the Fox Festival in Aurora in June.
You were the only female in the lineup with Trombone Shorty, Eric Gales and Tommy Castro.
Q. Do you often find yourself as the "token girl" at a lot of fests? Or do you encounter other women artists to share the stage with?
It's happened quite a bit over the years, although thankfully I'm seeing more women on festival lineups now than when I first started. My hope is that one day it won't even be something we notice. I just want to be there because I'm bringing something unique to the music. And whenever I do get to share the stage with other incredible women, it’s always special.
Q. I think Thomas Ruf solved that problem by putting together all female package tours.
Those tours were a great experience because they highlighted just how much incredible female talent there is in blues. It was inspiring to share the stage with artists from different countries and different styles, and audiences really embraced it. It showed that great music speaks for itself.
Q. You have had a number of great guest artists on your albums. Buddy Guy did a duet song with you - "Texas, Louisiana." How did that collaboration come about? Buddy has always been supportive of young blues talent.
Buddy has been incredibly generous to young musicians throughout his career. When the opportunity came to work together on "Texas, Louisiana," It was surreal. He's someone I've admired since I was a kid, so to not only meet him but to record with him was a dream come true. He's the kind of artist who genuinely wants to see the next generation carry the music forward.
Q. Have you ever performed in his famous club in Chicago, Buddy Guy's Legends?
Yes I have, and Buddy was actually there! We got to jam, and it was a fun time!
Q. Congrats on being included on the all-star lineup for Buddy Guy's 90th birthday concert in October at Radio City Music Hall.
You must be thrilled to be invited to perform at this very special show. How does it feel?
I’m very excited & honored to perform at this event. Buddy is such an inspiration and I can’t wait!
Q. Who invited you to perform for this historic concert, Ally?
Buddy actually invited me which made the news all the more special!
(Editor’s note: Buddy's birthday is July 30, but when you turn 90, you can celebrate for at least 6 months.)
Thank you, Ally, for taking the time to share your story with Chicago Blues Guide and our readers.
Ally Venable and her band will perform on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the North Shore Center in Skokie, IL.
Artist website: https://allyvenableband.com/
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About the Author: Linda Cain is the Managing Editor/Publisher and Founder of the awarding winning publication Chicago Blues Guide, established in 2008.
