 
Since his 2007 debut, Time, Matthew Ballard has been taking his brand of Americana to the road, lighting up dance halls and bars across the Lonestar State. And rather than kicking back on his days off, he’s been working hard at Shine Studios in Austin. The fruit of his labor, Midnight Drive, confidently steers its way onto the airwaves at the end of July 2008 and promises to turn heads with its carefully crafted songs and staying power.
Swirling with pedal steels and twangy guitars that melt seamlessly into lively fiddles and intricate instrumentation, Midnight Drive brings its country chops to the table. For this recording, Ballard calls on the help of some Texas legends, including Redd Volkaert, Cindy Cashdollar, and Paul Pearcy as well as the musical contributions by Justin Douglas. Their presence on the record gives it a commanding stride. The result is an Americana gem steeped in tradition and packed with Ballard’s inventive takes on folk-art conventions.
Midnight Drive highlights Ballard’s songwriting, which features poignant lyrics and infectious hooks. He pulls from a variety of influences, from the laid back swagger of foundational Texas artists like Steve Earle and Guy Clark, to the polished, storytelling style of Nashville greats such as Don Williams.
Texas Music Times - April 2006 - Indie Artist of the Month
"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."
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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.
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