David Ball Brings Back the REAL Country
I can remember seeing David Ball, along with Champ Hood and the late Walter Hyatt as Uncle Walt's Band here in Upstate South Carolina during the seventies. The guys were all great musicians, and in later years I would read of each of their individual successes. Ball's major success came in the late '90's with his country Top 40 smash, "Thinkin' Problem." Now, David has released a new album, and he did it his way. The results are astounding. "Amigo" is a sure fire hit, and David Ball is on his way to another major hit. Suite 101 spoke by phone with Ball, a true country gentleman and a top notch talent.
The first thing I wanted to tell you is, I am on all of these discussion lists on the web, like lists dedicated to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, The Allman Brothers, etc. Several of them have had thread discussions about your song "Riding with Private Malone." I think you have yourself a hit there.
I hope so!
What was it like growing up the son of a Baptist minister?
Well, I grew up in a big family, and we didn't gamble and we didn't drink.And we didn't dance a whole lot. Mom listened o music a lot, and I was always free to pursue my interest in music and guitar. Went to church twice on Sunday. I didn't have to go on Wednesday night.
We used to go on Wednesday, but the good part was, ever so often we'd have an ice cream social.(Laughs)
Yeah! that was a big part of it too. We used to go out to Rainbow Lake- it was beautiful.
My family used to go to Rainbow Lake.
Yeah, what a spot.
Were you originally from Spartanburg (South Carolina)?
I was born in Rock Hill, but when I was five my father became pastor at a new church in Spartanburg, Fernwood Baptist Church. So I think I came to Spartanburg when I was about six, so it was almost like being born there. I didn't want to leave Rock Hill though. I really liked it over there, it was great. In school, my first grade, second grade, and third grade were all in one room.
I wanted to ask you about your first band, The Strangers.
That was my junior high school band. That had Bill Brannon on lead guitar, Benny Littlejohn on drums and Haywood Hodges on the bass.
Wow. If you can remember junior high, you're doing better than me! (Laughs) Let's talk about Uncle Walt's Band. How did you come to hook up with Walter Hyatt and Champ Hood?
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