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"Matthew Ballard’s current CD is titled Time. It is an appropriate name as it is only a matter of “time” before everyone knows about Matthew Ballard. The CD has some Texas standouts contributing to the 11 great tracks on the record. Matt Powell (Wade Bowen Band), Cindy Cashdollar (Sue Foley Band, Van Morrison, and others), and Ric Ramirez (Two Tons of Steel) contributed to the tunes behind Ballard’s poetry on the record. The real treat of Time is the songs and Ballard wrote all 11 tracks as a solo author and his songwriting is what is most noticeable about Matthew as an artist.
His songs are a blend of regular country music themes and some Texas social history. The best song on the CD is “The Devil in Palestine” that describes the common Texas struggle of those who live off the land and those who become rich by it. It is the same theme in Texas since independence. Ballard tells the story with class and tragedy.
Ballard’s extraordinary songwriting is bound to move him to the top of the pile in Texas music and that is a good thing. Nothing can keep a good songwriter down and Matthew Ballard has the poetic skills that will serve him well. Everyone should keep their eyes and ears on Matthew Ballard." www.texasmusictimes.com, Apr. 2008
"The first studio release from Matthew Ballard is a solid effort grounded in the traditions of the great Texas singer-songwriters. The first few songs could have been written by Robert Earl Keen Jr. — not a bad start — but Ballard strikes his own chords with a collection of heartfelt and simply stated and personal songs about love, loss and yes, even hope. It's a collection of songs that run the gamut of Americana, alt-country, folk, country rock and honky tonk. His musical influences might include Joe Ely or Guy Clark or any of a hundred of the great songsmiths that have come out of the Lone Star state. Ballard has a crack band backing him, including Cindy Cashdollar on steel/dobro and Matt Powell on electric guitar. Eleanor Whitmore provides subtle harmonies and at times haunting fiddle. This could be a portrait of an artist as a young man, with the promise of even greater songwriting to come. This is a CD that keeps growing on you with each listen." Freight Train Boogie, reviewed by Barry Dugan. Mar 2008
"With his debut album, Matthew Ballard hopes to introduce himself into the pantheon of Texas country, a musical heritage which has spawned songwriters as eminent as Guy Clark or Robert Earl Keen, and with the melodic conventions of the tradition determining much of the material here, hints of the work of such titans abound throughout. There are occasional detours into other territories, such as Bakersfield ('Right Train, Wrong Track') and alt-country ('Am to Blame') but mostly, it's a consistent sound...Up-tempo tracks such as the opening couplet of 'Wrapped Up in You' and 'Her Dreams,' offer both drive and euphony, whilst more reflective numbers such as 'Fatigues' and 'One Line at a Time' see the exploration of more innovative harmonic directions...Ballard is especially blessed by the quality of his backing. The production is bright and expansive without being overly slick whilst the instrumentation offers great depth. Eleanor Whitmore is the particular hero here, contributing exemplary fiddle, mandolin and harmony vocals throughout. It is this consummate execution all round which makes the album and although there may not be quite enough unique material to truly distinguish it, with this work Matthew Ballard displays undoubted potential." www.americana-uk.com, Apr. 2008
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Check out Jessie Lee Miller's recording of Matthew's song, If You Asked a Million Times, on her new record -- Waiting.
Yeppers, we've been sooooo busy this last month. We can't wait to come see you play this Summer. May is always packed full of stuff. We had Alyssa's Kinder graduation, then her ballet recital, girl scouts ceremony and lastly her bday party this past Saturday. Now she is in gymnastics and swim lessons for the Summer, but being out of work, does great things to me! Can't wait to hear your new cd! Hope you're doing well!
So good to hear from you! I cannot wait to buy your new CD next month! We need to catch up...been too long. I wanna hear all about it! Things are good here with me - work, work, work - but, havin' fun too. ~D
Hey Matt. We had fun last night. Glad we got to come see you. I'm pretty sure I had toooo much fun, though. :) I wanted to add your song to my profile, but I see you have your settings so that no one can add songs. Is that for preventative piracy reasons? Just wondering.
No problem. I really enjoyed listening to your songs - I like the mix of poignancy and humor. I ordered your cd from Lonestar Music and look forward to hearing it. Oddly enough, I have Jessie Lee Miller's Waiting album on my iPod - I'll have to revisit the song you wrote. Thank you for taking the time to leave me a note.
VOTE DALE WATSON and JOHNNY KNOXVILLE for the CMT Music Awards!!!
DALE WATSON - "Hollywood Hillbilly" (Music Video) Directed by and Starring: Johnny Knoxville We've got some good news! Dale Watson's video for "Hollywood Hillbilly" starring and directed by Johnny Knoxville, has been nominated by the CMT Music Awards for "Comedy Video of the Year."
Also, his music video for "Justice For All" has been nominated for "Supporting Character of the Year" thanks to the role played by James Denton (who many of you know and love from Desperate Housewives).
Hey Matt! Just wanted to show your page some love! Hope things are going well on the Austin circuit! Looks like you are working hard! Awesome! Take care! ~D
Crystal & Brett said you are playing at Adairs tonight. If Marty is there tell him that Cooper said to give you some free beer. Now that you're local Carrie and I will have to come out and see ya. Oh yea, I thought I would post this pick from the last time we saw ya in Austin. Good Luck Tonight...hope you get a crowd.
Salut!!
Thanks for the add and for taking a listen...much appreciated..any comment or feedback would be great..beautiful weather here..anyways I can't believe it's 2008!! Happy New Years from Bangkok :)
Youna
