A rule-breaker breaks through

On the heels of her 2021 number-two album, blues phenom Ally Venable steps up to the big leagues with Real Gone.

- By Joe Bosso

ALLY VENABLE HAS been releasing records for nearly half her life - which is saying something considering the fact that the guitarist and singer is all of 23 years old. "Nobody told me that I couldn't start putting out records when I did, so I just did it," she says. "Thank goodness I didn't know about any of these supposed rules, because they probably would have held me back." She laughs, then adds, "Of course, I do like breaking rules."

Over the past decade, the Les Paul-toting Texan has become a hot commodity in contemporary blues circles. Her 2021 release, Heart of Fire, hit number two on Billboard's Blues Albums chart, and she's proved to be a reliable draw in concert. But as she graduates to the big leagues, Venable makes it clear that she has more aspirational goals in mind.

"I want to be an inspiration to young girls," she says. "I'm starting to see it. After my shows, I'll sign stuff at the merch table and there will be a line of young girls who want my autograph or to talk to me. It's so cool. 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."