Frankie Ballard

Frankie Ballard was a country singer for years before rising to mainstream prominence with his old-school take on country music. Ballard was born in the working class town of Battle Creek, Michigan on December 16th, 1982, where he grew up listening to Elvis and Johnny Cash. At this time, however, his primary interest was in sports. He attended Western Michigan University to play baseball, but became increasingly passionate about music. He made a study of country music, relentlessly practicing the guitar. He began performing on stage on his own and with a band, and he made his career as a musician after he graduated. His big break didn't come until 2008, when he won Kenny Chesney's Next Big Star competition in Nashville. After this, Ballard began touring with Chesney, and he was signed to Reprise Records in 2010. His self-titled debut album and the single "Tell Me When You Get Lonely" performed reasonably well critically and commercially. In 2013, Ballard made the switch to Universal Records and released the single "Helluva Life," which reached the top of the country airplay charts. Ballard's second album, Sunshine and Whiskey, was released in early 2014 to positive reviews and brisk crossover pop sales.