Yates McKendree is Making a Scene

August 25, 2025

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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Yates McKendree

Producer Kevin McKendree puts it best: “Because of Yates’s lifelong dedication to blues and roots music, he’s developed a direct line from his soul to whatever instrument he picks up. When he sings and plays, you don’t just hear it—you feel it. On these recordings, you’ll hear him on guitar, drums, bass, upright bass, and organ. Beyond all that talent, he’s my son, and the joy of my life is making music with him. The musicians on this album are also our closest friends. We hope you feel that love in every note.”

What you hear on Yates’s records is real music, played by real people—no AI, no pitch correction, no digital tricks.

Yates’s debut album, Buchanan Lane, became a critically acclaimed, #1-charting release that firmly established him as one of today’s most exciting young traditional blues musicians. Produced by Grammy® winner Kevin McKendree, the album features 13 tracks—four originals, including two co-writes with multi-Grammy winner and 2022 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Gary Nicholson.

Born in Nashville and raised in a recording studio, Yates was surrounded by some of Music City’s greatest musicians from the very beginning. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist since the age of three, he quickly grew into a seasoned player. Though only 23, his career already spans more than a decade, with performances at legendary venues like The Bluebird Cafe, The Ryman Auditorium, and Third & Lindsley, as well as tours across North America and Europe. He’s also appeared on national television programs including Imus In The Morning and CBS Mornings.

As a teenager, Yates honed his skills at his father’s studio, The Rock House, where he recorded and engineered sessions for artists such as Delbert McClinton and John Hiatt—who famously told Rolling Stone, “Yates was our secret ingredient.” In 2020, Yates earned a Grammy® Award for his work as both musician and engineer on Delbert McClinton’s album Tall, Dark & Handsome.

In 2023, Yates released Buchanan Lane on Qualified Records, which went on to earn two Blues Music Award® nominations and praise from critics and fans alike. The success of the album sparked high demand for live performances, taking Yates and his band on the road across the U.S. and Europe.

Between tours and his Monday night residency at Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe, Yates found time to craft his follow-up album, Need To Know, set for release on July 11, 2025. Blending deep blues and soul-drenched R&B, the album highlights his remarkable musicianship, soulful vocals, and dynamic guitar playing.

Through his music, Yates McKendree carries forward the tradition of authentic blues with passion, honesty, and soul. At every show, he and his band deliver not just songs, but an experience you can feel.

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