NEW ARTIST SHOWCASE REVIEW: Frankie Ballard




Every once in awhile an artist hits the music scene and the industry is instantly abuzz as the word spreads! Frankie Ballard is that artist. Hitting Nashville last week at 12th & Porter on Monday night he impressed people so much that they booked a second showcase the same week on Thursday. The second showcase was early which more often than not, means few people are able to attend. Not in this case. The room was literally packed shoulder to shoulder and to the ceiling, as this venue has a balcony, and the music industry was out in full force to watch this hot new artist.

The young Ballard is relatively new to the music scene, not getting into it seriously until age 18. His influences of Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard can be heard in his Country / Southern Rock sound. Frankie and his band recently finished recording its first album, "Electric Hillbilly," in which Ballard teamed up with some of Nashville's top songwriters. Its release is scheduled for June 28.

Frankie has already had some major exposure, as he won a chance to perform at Ford Field in Detroit last year with Kenny Chesney on his 'Poets and Pirates' tour and has opened for Shooter Jennings. This is the next Keith Urban. His ability to perform both on his guitar and vocally is a mix Music City has not heard in some time.

Thursday nights song set list included:

Bare Feet

Last Summer

Ridin' Shotgun

My Girls Hotter

Wrong Side

Electric Hillbilly

Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde



For more photos of the showcase visit www.flickr.com/photos/momentsbymoser and for information on Frankie Ballard visit http://www.frankieballard.com/ or www.myspace.com/frankieballard

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