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Biography
So it turns out that you can get legitimate talent from talent shows, who knew?! Turns out that all you have to do is keep them as far away as possible from smarmy British TV Types (one shiny gold star goes to anyone who knows who I’m subtly referring to here), and have other, legitimately talented people judging them instead. Preferably people who actually can do the thing that they’re critiquing other people about. However, it’s a lose-lose situation for whoever puts on the talent show in the end. Since in pretty much all cases legitimately talented people transcend the story of how they found fame and become famous for what they do, rather than where they came from.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the story of country music sensation Frankie Ballard. Music was in his heart and soul from an early age, to the extent that one of his earliest memories is singing Elvis Presley songs with his dad at the tender age of five. However, after at first longing to be a professional baseball player, he picked up the guitar at the age of 18 and started playing and learning with everything he had. By the time he left college, he had his own band and was playing live at least 200 nights a year. All this experience paid off massively, as in 2008 he entered Kenny Chesney’s “Next Big Star” regional talent competition in Michigan and won it with panache, leading to several support slots with Chesney whenever he was in the Michigan area.
Now, for many artists, this would be as big as it got, playing arenas as support act to a name as huge as Chesney’s but that wasn’t enough for Ballard. He kept playing and playing wherever he could and got himself a record deal with Reprise before upping sticks to Nashville full time. Since then he’s had chart success with his singles at first, with 2013’s “Helluva Life” and the following year’s “Sunshine And Whiskey” both charting in the top ten of the Billboard country charts and his second album, also called “Sunshine And Whiskey”, went to the top 40 of the Billboard 200 album charts.
In Frankie Ballard, we have an artist who will stop at nothing to be the very best there is at what he does. He’s already damn close to getting there already, and he’s getting closer with every concert and every new song. Highly recommended.
Live reviews
Country music singer Frankie Ballard may be a relative newcomer to the scene but he has already found his feet onstage and made a major impression with his retro country tones. With his striking appearance and his leaning towards electric guitar, he is making a serious impression on the genre and winning over fans of the swinging 60s inspired sound.
With a signing to Warner Bros and a number of charted singles, the fanbase has been growing organically over the years and now he entertains hundreds of people at a time. He has constructed a solid live band behind him and they are all completely invested in Frankie Ballard. With a suitable swagger he saunters onto stage and greets the fans with a sly smile and launches into 'Young and Crazy'. He runs through the setlist and although he only has a few hits on the Country Charts, the fans are clearly devoted to him as they sing back the choruses in force. He thanks them in his characteristic Nashville accent and they scream even louder through the piercing drum beats. He closes on the final on a cover of country music great 'A Boy Named Sue' by Johnny Cash and his own new hit 'Helluva Life' which brings the house down.
Frankie Ballard has been a country singer for a few years now. He has reached the billboards for his music, and has also been signed. After two albums that I loved from him, I decided to take a chance and see him live. I was surprised at how many people were there, I did not know that other people knew a lot about him that I did. I was also shocked that his voice was the same live as in videos or online, there is no covering up his true talent and he truly has that. He touched my heart and made me feel warm and nice inside, and was also very sweet to all of his fans. He has since released a few singles that i have also loved, and I would definitely go back any time that he were in my city to go see him again. He gave me a good calm experience for country music, which I loved. It was laid back and I had no pressure for anything at all. All his fans were also nice and I loved that everyone could get along and enjoy his great music together. It really felt like a big family was there to support him.
Frankie Ballard is a guitar wielding singer-songwriter from Nashville. He plays a fantastic breed of country rock. He has been signed to both Reprise Records and Warner Bros Records. Three of his singles have charted on the Hot Country Songs charts.
If there is one thing that Ballard is really good at, it is engaging an audience in his music, getting everyone to sing along. He opens with the huge southern rock songs “Helluva Life” which inspires this whole festival audience to jump up and down with their fists in the air pumping along to the four to the floor beat of the drums. The guitars are driven with a gritty tone featuring some epic riffs that are catchy enough to sing along to. “Sunshine & Wakey”, gets this whole audience singing along, with it’s infectious chorus and if that wasn’t enough, the guitar solo is just as catchy with the perfect balance of showing off and musicality.
I have seen Frankie Ballard at his youth of his Career at B93 Birthday Bash.I never buy CD's, but bought his very first which he signed at Whiskey Barrel Saloon in E. Lansing. I knew first time seen how energetic he was, it wouldn't be long someone would sign him & was right! He is SO down to earth. I have followed his Career..now Can it just walk up to him..great thing!! Cannot wait for his 3rd record come out.Pre-order for very nice gifts along with CD day it comes out! He opened for Keith Urban 2017. Like to see him on CMA or CMT award shows to sing to all! You need to see him if haven't already!!
Debbie Bunn
Frankie Ballard is amazing live. If you have never seen him before you have to. I have turned people onto his music just by taking them to see him live. His energy and the band's energy is electric, and intoxicating. The way he plays and gets the crowd going awesome.
What an amazing show. Frankie is a helluva entertainer. Really rocked the place out. He has really sharpened his skills on the guitar. Very impressive. Had a blast but I'm glad this 4 day road trip is finally over
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Frankie Ballard in concert! I love so many of his songs. He is a very entertaining and talented musician! I would definitely see him again if he came to our neck of the woods!
Amazing show! We knew the songs were good, but the performance blew us away! One of the best live acts I have seen and The 9:30 Club was an awesome venue. Very intimate setting with wonderful sound.
Fantastic! On top form, amazing guitarist. Recommend you see Frankie if you like Country music. He is a modern day Eddie Cochran! Looking forward to the next time he plays London