Singer/songwriter DAvid Ball on Talking Hendrix

This week's guest is Multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and performer David Ball who has just released his highly anticipated new record, Come See Me, on Public Records in January 2019. The single, “Pretty Baby” tells the tale of honky tonkin’ & drinking tequila at a “Mexican place.” As David likes to say, "What more do you WANT?" Recorded at his home in Franklin, TN, this may be David’s most personal record yet. He wrote and produced every song. He describes the music this way: “This is melodic, hooky country music, the kind I grew up on. It’s fun to listen to. This is under-produced, non-corporate country music.” His previous studio release, Sparkle City (2010) was described this way by the Austin Chronicle “...he glides between swing, honky-tonk, blues, and even a touch of Tex-Mex with the ease of George Strait, the difference being Ball composes his own material.” “Hot Water Pipe” was a satellite radio hit from this record. Fourteen of his singles have entered the Billboard charts, including “Thinkin’ Problem” and “Riding With Private Malone,” which made Ball one of the first artists to take an indie single to the Country Top 5. He has recorded a total of seven studio albums, including his platinum certified Thinkin’ Problem. The title track was the top selling country song of 1994. David grew up in Spartanburg, SC where he learned to play guitar but later honed his skills on the upright bass, which led to a gig playing bass in Uncle Walt’s Band, credited as the first Americana act. The legendary trio was headed by Walter Hyatt and also included Champ Hood. A solo career led Ball to Nashville where he signed a publishing deal and later, a recording contract. David’s music came full circle when Lyle Lovett reached back into Uncle Walt’s Band repertoire to include one of David’s early songs, “Don’t You Think I Feel It Too” on his 2009 disc, Natural Forces. A first-ever compilation, titled Anthology: Those Boys From Carolina, They Sure Enough Could Sing, was released by Omnivore Recordings, March 2018. David won a Grammy Award for the song “Old Folks At Home (Swanee River)” from the album Beautiful Dreamer - The Songs of Stephen Foster. (2005) In 2011, David released his first ever collection of Christmas music, The Greatest Christmas. In addition to a few holiday favorites, 6 compositions are brand new David Ball classics! As a special Christmas present to his fans, he’s also included previously unreleased versions of two of his biggest hits. In 2013 David Ball became one of the first living members to be inducted into the Historic Spartanburg Music Trail in his hometown of Spartanburg SC, joining other notables such as Hank Garland, Don Reno, Buck Trent and the Marshall Tucker Band. Look for David in multiple episodes of RFD-TV’s Country’s Family Reunion, available on DVD. He was featured in “God Bless America Again” (2014), “Tribute to Ray Price” (2015), “Honky Tonk Reunion” (2015). He debuted on Larry’s Country Diner, October 2015.David continues to honor our military by participating in fundraisers for veterans’ charities around the country, and playing tribute shows for veterans and active duty service members. On Dec 16 2016, David was honored with the Operation Troop Aid Chris Kyle Patriot Award.

“He has been consistently good for more years than I care to remember…but I wasn’t prepared for just how wonderful a piece of work this is. ” — Duncan Warwick // Country Music People

His Influences of Beatles to Buck Owens in his original music

Loose as a goose with confident, strong vocals. George Jones and Tom Jones rolled into one.
Songs with muscle and at the same time melody, like “Thinking Problem.” Some songs can be two things at once. A sweet sadness that hurts but is somewhat beautiful, like “Riding With Private Malone” and “When The Thought Of You Catches Up With Me.”
With a rich and storied career spanning multiple decades, David Ball STILL remains a breath of fresh air. He is a joy to speak with on a personal level, the "live" show is fantastic and the fans are never disappointed. I wish they still made more of them like that guy.

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