Frankie Ballard

Few artists in the history of country music have risen from obscurity to prominence with the speed of Warner Bros. Records guitar slinger Frankie Ballard.

On his debut album for the label, this performer brings a bluesy, rocking edge to the country scene. His talents as a vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist and showman have already made him one of the genre's most memorable new personalities.

In addition to its swiftness, Frankie Ballard's ascent is notable for the seeming ease with which it… Show more has happened. In 2008, he signed with the first song publishing company he ever auditioned for. In 2009, the first time he staged a showcase for record companies, he got a major-label contract.

His first single, "Tell Me You Get Lonely," became a top-five video chart success. His first club tour was with big-time hit maker Uncle Kracker. The first of his songs to be recorded by another artist was by million-selling Billy Currington. All of this took place in 2010.

He began 2011 by staging his debut on the Grand Ole Opry in January. The following month, he issued "A Buncha Girls" as his second radio single. In March, he was announced as an opening act on the U.S. arena tour by country's biggest superstar, Taylor Swift. Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Bob Seger has also chosen him as a concert opener. The boy is on a roll, as they say.

"I totally understand that it doesn't usually happen this way, this quickly," says the singer, songwriter and guitar ace. "I'm so blessed to have a shot."

Frankie Ballard hails from Battle Creek, Michigan. Born Frank Robert Ballard IV, he credits his father and namesake as his formative musical influence.

"He was the gatekeeper," Frankie recalls. "He got me started. He'd sing Johnny Horton songs, Merle Haggard and things like that. He turned me on to Elvis Presley, and I am still a huge, huge Elvis fan. My mom Meg Sullivan Ballard sang around the house, too. They were both country fans."

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