David Ball (country musician)

Infobox musical artist

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Name = David Ball
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Born = birth date and age|1953|07|09
Origin = Rock Hill, South Carolina, United States
Instrument = Vocals, rhythm guitar
Genre = Country
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = 1988-present
Label = RCA Nashville
Warner Bros. Nashville
Dualtone
Wildcatter
Shanachie
Associated_acts = Uncle Walt's Band
URL = [http://www.davidball.com Official website]

David Ball (born July 9, 1953 in Rock Hill, South Carolinacite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jifqxql5ldae~T1 |title=David Ball biography |accessdate=2008-01-07 |last=Loftus |first=Johnny |work=Allmusic] ) is an American country musician known for his neotraditional style. Active since 1988, he has recorded a total of seven studio albums on several different labels. Fourteen of Ball's singles have entered the U.S. "Billboard" Hot Country Songs charts; his highest-peaking chart entries to date are 1994's "Thinkin' Problem" and 2002's "Riding With Private Malone", both of which peaked at #2.

Biography

David Ball was born into a large musical family headed by his father, a Baptist preacher, and his mother, Bessie Ball, a pianist. Later, he moved with his family to Spartanburg, South Carolina where his father was heading Fernwood Baptist church. David lived in a ranch-style brick-wood house at 104 Emory Road. He eventually learned to play guitar after persuading his parents to buy him one. Having written his first song in seventh grade, he played it in a school talent show with a band he had formed, the Strangers. Afterwards, he played upright bass in various local youth groups and also the school orchestra. Together with friends, he took part in various bluegrass and country festivals in the Carolinas.

By the time Ball had left high school, he had a gig playing bass in Uncle Walt's Band, a trio headed by Walter Hyatt, who relocated to Austin, Texas, in the mid-1970s, in an attempt to make a mainstream breakthrough.

Ball subsequently focused on a solo career, moving to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was signed to a publishing contract. Three singles for RCA Records in the late 1980s failed to provide a solo breakthrough, however, and a projected album was shelved. The experience did at least serve to introduce him to producer Blake Chancey, son of legendary country producer Ron Chancey. In the spring of 1993, Chancey called Warner Bros. Records director Doug Grau on Ball's behalf.

A new recording contract followed. "Thinkin' Problem", his debut album, was released on Warner Bros. Its title track served as the lead-off single, reaching #2 on the "Billboard" country music charts and #40 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album, which received a platinum certification in the U.S., also produced the singles "When the Thought of You Catches Up with Me", "Look What Followed Me Home", "What Do You Want with His Love", and "Honky Tonk Healin'", although these latter two singles failed to make Top 40 on the country charts.

Ball recorded two more albums for the label – "Starlite Lounge" and "Play" – without much chart success. However, he had a smash hit with "Riding with Private Malone", from the 2001 album "Amigo". "Freewheeler" followed in 2004, and "Heartaches by the Number" in 2007.

Discography

Albums

*^A"David Ball" was recorded in 1989 and remained unreleased until 1994.

ingles

*^AFailed to chart.

References

External links

* [http://www.davidball.com David Ball's official website]