One might say that the Mississippi River runs through his veins. Certainly the spirit of traditional blues is the lifeblood of 21 year-old Daniel Slick Ballinger. Influenced by the likes of Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters, the North Carolina native and current Mississippi resident picked up the guitar at the age of fifteen and with it took the torch from a bygone generation and began to run with it.
Before he turned eighteen, Ballinger was honored to share the stage with the likes of Othar Turner and Pinetop Perkins, and more recently with the legendary BB King. During the summer of 2002, a 94 year-old Turner took the young Ballinger under his wing and taught him how to live and breathe the blues, in a house with no electricity or running water. Turner was the last surviving master of the Mississippi back-country fife-and-drum tradition, a primitive take on African-American songs which dates back to the Northern Mississippi hill country culture of the 1800s. Living under such conditions is likely to drive a modern man crazy, but not when you are a young bluesman with an old soul like Ballinger. He and Turner rose early each day and led a simple routine of chores, followed by traveling the gravel roads of Mississippi to perform at juke joints and house parties.
The young Ballinger could never have imagined a better education, though he is truly humble and does not see himself as a prodigy. Everybody does something well, he says. For me, its playing the blues. I can make the people of Mississippi jump up and shout, and they know something about the blues.
Ballinger won the Albert King Award in 2004 for Most Promising Guitarist at the 2004 International Blues Challenge. Now, after a few years of becoming friendly with the road, Ballinger is set to release his debut on Oh Boy Records, a Nashville-based label that is home to singer/songwriter John Prine. The new record was produced by Jim Gaines (Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Thorogood, Steve Miller Band, Journey, John Lee Hooker). Ballinger refers to Gaines as a genius, saying that the renowned producer was able to capture the raw energy of Ballingers live sound.
Slick Ballinger is a young man with simple values, and sets out to make his music reflect that. His gruff but soulful voice and string-snapping guitar style are proof that old-school Delta blues can not only be taught, but can be truly learned and transferred to a new generation.
All of the great artists that ever been, went down in history because of the simplicity of it, Ballinger says. Like Chuck Berry. He pauses, then, like a wise old man, adds a simple sentiment that is the mantra of the young bluesmans life.
Aint no use in making things complicated, he says.
Mercy son! Thanx for the add Slick, and thanx for staying true to the roots! My God dude, you got it goin' on! Much respect, and welcome to my neck of the cyber woods! Peace, Howard Lips
good day your music is great I love the rock one you sing tres well you has a beautiful voice and it is great cool I thank you to have me accepts and I says you good weekend thank you
HEY SLICK! Messaging you from KENNETT, MO!! Met you and the band one night at Viretta's house after a show. Love your music! I'm sure Nancy and Viretta say hello, too!
Hey Slick, I caught your concert on the beach in Somers Point, NJ during the Summer of 06'; You're amazing! How are things going with your music career these days? Let me know if you're performing in the Philly or Jersey area. I would love to see you sing that Mississipi Soul again. God Bless:)
Thanks for the add. I saw you at the Winter Blast of Blues last year, and you put on one heckuva show. You are one talented bluesman, Slick. Can't wait to catch you again.
Oh yeah. That "Rosalie" is terrific, man. Whatever music you choose to sing, you got it going on, Slick. Keep up the good work, hope to catch you live again soon. Cheers, SC
Thanks for the add. Really enjoyed your performance at our annual blues fest last year here in Mountian Home Ar. Hope you make it back again this year.
.. Sugar Mama Blues
