Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2016, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from David Ball, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 15 November 2016.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to David Ball who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Scott Metko (Management / Media Contact for David Ball), without whom this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’ from David Ball would not have been possible.
David Ball
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 15 November 2016
‘I remember the first time I heard Gene Watson’s ‘I Don’t Need A Thing At All’ (written by Joe Allen) on the radio and was captivated by his singing. I’ve been a fan ever since.
It’s a big honor to have him sing one of my songs (‘A Girl I Used To Know‘).
Thanks T. Graham Brown for ‘pitching’ it’
Thank you, David Ball, for your support of Gene Watson.
About David Ball…
David Ball was born on Thursday 9 July 1953 and grew up in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
David Ball was born into a large musical family headed by his father, William ‘Billy’ Ball, a Baptist minister, and his mother, Bessie Ball, a pianist.
Later, David Ball moved with his family to Spartanburg, South Carolina where his father was pastor of Fernwood Baptist Church. David Ball eventually learned to play guitar after persuading his parents to buy him one. Having written his first song in seventh grade, David Ball played it in a school talent show with a band he had formed, The Strangers.
Afterwards, David Ball played upright bass in various local youth groups and also the school orchestra.
Together with friends, David Ball took part in various bluegrass and country music festivals in The Carolinas.
By the time David Ball had left high school, he had a gig playing bass in Uncle Walt’s Band, a trio headed by Walter Hyatt, who relocated to Austin, Texas in the mid-1970s, in an attempt to make a mainstream breakthrough.
David Ball subsequently focused on a solo career, moving to Nashville, where he was signed to a publishing contract.
David Ball saw the release of three singles for RCA Nashville Records in the late 1980s. However, they failed to provide a solo breakthrough and a projected album was shelved. The experience did at least serve to introduce David Ball to producer Blake Chancey, son of country producer Ron Chancey.
In the spring of 1993, Blake Chancey called Warner Bros. Records director, Doug Grau, on David Ball’s behalf. A new recording contract followed.
On Tuesday 14 June 1994, David Ball saw the release of ‘Thinkin’ Problem’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1994), which included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Thinkin’ Problem’ (written by David Ball, Allen Shamblin and Stuart Ziff) (No.2, 1994) / this track also reached No.40 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1994
‘When The Thought of You Catches Up with Me’ (written by David Ball) (No.7, 1994)
‘Look What Followed Me Home’ (written by David Ball and Tommy Polk) (No.11, 1995)
‘What Do You Want with His Love’ (written by David Ball and Larry Jeffries) (No.48, 1995)
‘Honky Tonk Healin’ (written by David Ball and Tommy Polk) (No.50, 1995)
David Ball’s ‘Thinkin’ Problem’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1994) also included the following tracks:
‘Blowin’ Smoke’ (written by David Ball, Tommy Polk and Billy Spencer)
‘A Walk on The Wild Side of Life’ (written by Wayne Walker)
‘Down at The Bottom of a Broken Heart’ (written by David Ball)
‘Don’t Think Twice’ (written by David Ball)
’12-12-84′ (written by David Ball, Tommy Polk and Billy Spencer)
Personnel involved in the recording of David Ball’s ‘Thinkin’ Problem’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1994) included the following:
David Ball (lead vocals, background vocals, acoustic guitar)
Glen Duncan, Rob Hajacos, Hank Singer and Blaine Sprouce (fiddle)
Sonny Garrish and Tommy Spurlock (steel guitar)
Owen Hale (drums)
Larry Marrs, Suzy Ragsdale, Stephony Smith, Harry Stinson and Cindy Richardson Walker (background vocals)
Brent Mason and Stuart Ziff (electric guitar)
Steve Nathan (piano)
Verlon Thompson (acoustic guitar)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
David Ball’s ‘Thinkin’ Problem’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1994) reached No.6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1994, No.53 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1994, and No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1994, and was certified ‘Platinum’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of one million copies in the United States.
Although David Ball had recorded an eponymous album for RCA Records in 1988, ‘David Ball’ (RCA Records, 1994), prior to the release of ‘Thinkin’ Problem’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1994), the RCA album was not released until Tuesday 22 November 1994.
David Ball’s self-titled album, ‘David Ball’ (RCA Records, 1994), included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘We’re Steppin’ Out Tonight’ (written by Billy Wallace) (No.46, 1988)
‘You Go, You’re Gone’, which was written by David Ball, Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) and Mark Wright (No.55, 1989)
‘Gift of Love’, which was written by David Ball and Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) (No.64, 1989)
David Ball’s self-titled album, ‘David Ball’ (RCA Records, 1994), also included the following tracks:
‘If She Were Mine”‘ (written by Buddy Cannon and Pamela Brown Hayes)
‘Message In A Bottle’ (written by David Ball and Walter Hyall)
‘All Over Me’ (written by Tracy Parker and Jimmy Wooten)
‘Listen To My Heart’ (written by David Ball and Allen Shamblin)
‘No More Tears’ (written by Buddy Blackman, Vip Vipperman and Ted Hewitt)
‘Texas Echo’ (written by David Ball) / this track was re-recorded by David Ball in 1991, and was included on ‘Amigo’ (Dualtone Records, 2001)
‘Waitin’ For Somebody New’ (written by Don Schlitz and Roger Brown)
‘I Was Born With A Broken Heart’ (written by Jim McBride and Aaron Tippin)
‘Smokin’ Cigarettes & Drinkin’ Coffee Blues’, which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982)
However, despite the release of three singles, ‘We’re Steppin’ Out Tonight’ (written by Billy Wallace) (No.46, 1988), ‘You Go, You’re Gone’, which was written by David Ball, Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) and Mark Wright (No.55, 1989), and ‘Gift of Love’, which was written by David Ball and Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) (No.64, 1989), david Ball’s self-titled album, ‘David Ball’ (RCA Records, 1994), was not released by RCA Records until Tuesday 22 November 1994, by which point David Ball had been signed to Warner Bros. Records for the release of his breakthrough album, ‘Thinkin’ Problem’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1994).
In 1995, Liberty Records released ‘Come Together: America Salutes The Beatles’ (Liberty Records, 1995), a tribute album to The Beatles, which featured covers of various Beatles songs; David Ball performed ‘I’ll Follow The Sun’, which was written by John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 – Monday 8 December 1980) and Paul McCartney.
On Tuesday 25 June 1996, David Ball saw the release of ‘Starlite Lounge’ (Warner Brothers Records, 1996), which included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Circle of Friends’ (written by David Ball and Billy Spencer) (No.49, 1996)
‘Hangin’ In & Hangin’ On’ (written by Terry McBride, Ray Herndon, Billy Thomas and Gary Nicholson) (No.67, 1996)
‘I’ll Never Make It Through This Fall’ (written by David Ball and Billy Spencer) / this track was released as a single in 1996, but it did not chart
David Ball’s ‘Starlite Lounge’ (Warner Brothers Records, 1996) also included the following tracks:
‘I’ve Got My Baby On My Mind’ (written by David Ball)
‘What Kind of Hold’ (written by David Ball and Tommy Polk)
‘Bad Day For The Blues’ (written by David Ball and Tommy Polk)
‘If You’d Like Some Lovin’ (written by David Ball and Tommy Polk)
‘No More Lonely’ (written by David Ball and Tommy Polk)
‘I Never Did Know’ (written by David Ball and Dean Dillon)
‘The Bottle That Pours The Wine’ (written by David Ball and Allen Shamblin)
Personnel involved in the recording of David Ball’s ‘Starlite Lounge’ (Warner Brothers Records, 1996) included the following:
David Ball (acoustic guitar, lead vocals)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Steve Buckingham (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Mark Casstevens (harmonica)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar, pedabro)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano)
Dann Huff, Brent Mason, Brent Rowan and Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (upright bass)
Alisa Jones (hammer dulcimer)
Liana Manis, Louis Dean Nunley (Thursday 15 October 1931 – Friday 26 October 2012), John Wesley Ryles, Dennis Wilson and Curtis Young (background vocals)
Joey Miskulin (accordion)
Farrell Morris (vibraphone, percussion)
Don Potter and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass guitar)
Hank Singer (fiddle)
Joe Spivey (fiddle, mandolin)
David Ball’s ‘Starlite Lounge’ (Warner Brothers Records, 1996) reached No.44 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1996.
In 1997, Bob Dylan invited David Ball to join artists Jerry Garcia, Bono and Willie Nelson to celebrate ‘The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers: A Tribute’ (1997). It was also in 1997 when Bob Dylan became the first rock music artist ever to receive Kennedy Center Honors, considered the United States’ highest award for artistic excellence; David Ball joined Bruce Springsteen that evening, as they sang in tribute.
On Tuesday 13 July 1999, David Ball saw the release of ‘Play’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1999), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Watching My Baby Not Come Back’ (written by David Ball and Brad Paisley) (No.47, 1999)
‘I Want To With You’ (written by Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens) (No.67, 1999)
David Ball’s ‘Play’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1999) also included the following tracks:
‘What Do You Say To That’ (written by Jim Lauderdale and Melba Montgomery)
‘Hasta Luego, My Love’ (written by Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride and Jennifer Kimball)
‘A Grain of Salt’ (written by David Ball and Monty Criswell)
‘Lonely Town’ (written by David Ball)
‘Going Someplace To Forget’, which was written by David Ball and Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021)
‘For You’ (written by David Ball and George McCorkle)
‘I’m Just A Country Boy’ (written by David Ball and Dennis Morgan)
‘When I Get Lonely’ (written by David Ball and James House)
Personnel involved in the recording of David Ball’s ‘Play’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1999) included the following:
Al Anderson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
David Ball (lead vocals)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar, lap steel guitar)
Bob Britt (electric guitar)
Chris Carmichael (fiddle, background vocals)
Glen Caruba and Tom Roady (percussion)
Mark Casstevens, Anthony Crawford and James House (acoustic guitar)
Joe Caverlee, Wes Hightower, Liana Manis and Dennis Wilson (background vocals)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Owen Hale, Wayne Killius and Lonnie Wilson (drums)
John Barlow Jarvis, Steve Nathan and Pete Wasner (keyboards)
Brent Mason (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, gut string guitar)
Al Perkins (Dobro, steel guitar)
Alison Prestwood and Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Robby Turner (steel guitar)
David Ball’s ‘Play’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1999) reached No.60 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1999, and No.21 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1999.
On Tuesday 18 July 2000, David Ball saw the release of ‘Super Hits’ (Warner Brothers Records, 2000), which included the following tracks:
‘Thinkin’ Problem’ (written by David Ball, Allen Shamblin and Stuart Ziff) (No.2, 1994) / this track also reached No.40 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1994
‘Watching My Baby Not Come Back’ (written by David Ball and Brad Paisley) (No.47, 1999)
‘Look What Followed Me Home’ (written by David Ball and Tommy Polk) (No.11, 1995)
‘When The Thought of You Catches Up With Me’ (written by David Ball) (No.7, 1994)
‘What Do You Want With His Love’ (written by David Ball and Larry Jeffries) (No.48, 1995)
‘Lonely Town’ (written by David Ball) / this track was an album track in 1999
‘Hangin’ In & Hangin’ On’ (written by Terry McBride, Ray Herndon, Billy Thomas and Gary Nicholson) (No.67, 1996)
‘I’ll Never Make It Through This Fall’ (written by David Ball and Billy Spencer) / this track was released as a single in 1996, but it did not chart
‘Circle of Friends’ (written by David Ball and Billy Spencer) (No.49, 1996)
‘Hasta Luego, My Love’ (written by Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride and Jennifer Kimball) / this track was an album track in 1999
On Tuesday 2 October 2001, David Ball saw the release of ‘Amigo’ (Dualtone Records, 2001), which included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Riding With Private Malone’ (written by Wood Newton and Thomas Shepherd) (No.2, 2001) / this track, which also reached No.36 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2001, was promoted to American country music radio stations by John Northrup, who undertook all the syndicated radio work for the single
‘She Always Talked About Mexico’ (written by David Ball and Wood Newton) / this track was released as a single in 2002, but it did not chart
‘Whenever You Come Back To Me’ (written by David Ball and Allen Shamblin) / this track was released as a single in 2002, but it did not chart
David Ball’s ‘Amigo’ (Dualtone Records, 2001) also included the following tracks:
‘Amigo’ (written by David Ball and Kostas)
‘Missing Her Blues’ (written by David Ball and Luke Reed)
‘Loser Friendly’, which was written by Paul Craft (Friday 12 August 1938 – Saturday 18 October 2014), Michael McGrew and Wood Newton
‘Linger Awhile’ (written by Harry Owens and Vincent Rose)
‘Trying Not To Love You’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘New Shiner Polka’ (written by David Ball)
‘Texas Echo’ (written by David Ball) / this track was a re-recording of a track which David Ball originally included on ‘David Ball’ (RCA Records, 1989), his self-titled debut album in 1989
‘Swing Baby’ (written by David Ball and Wood Newton)
‘Just Out of Reach’, which was written by Virgil Freemont Stewart (5 August 1907 – Sunday 10 July 1988)
‘When The Devil Wants To Wrestle’ (written by David Ball)
Personnel involved in the recording of David Ball’s ‘Amigo’ (Dualtone Records, 2001) included the following:
Audrey Ball, Stephen Hill, Randy Khors, Kim Morrison and Wood Newton (background vocals)
David Ball (lead vocals, background vocals, acoustic guitar)
Vince Barranco (drums, percussion)
Chris Carmichael, Kenny Sears and Joe Spivey (fiddle)
Dan Frizsell (bass guitar)
Steve Larios (steel guitar, Chromatic harmonica)
Scott Miller (trumpet)
Billy Panda (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Jeff Taylor (piano, accordion)
David Ball’s ‘Amigo’ (Dualtone Records, 2001) reached No.11 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2001, and No.120 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2001.
Following the release of ‘Amigo’ (Dualtone Records, 2001), David Ball exited Dualtone Records in 2002.
In August 2004, American Roots Publishing / Emergent Music Marketing / Thirty Tigers released ‘Beautiful Dreamer – The Songs of Stephen Foster’ (American Roots Publishing / Emergent Music Marketing / Thirty Tigers, 2004), a various artists collection, which celebrated the music of Stephen Foster (4 July 1826 – 13 January 1864).
David Ball was the featured vocalist on ‘Old Folks At Home (Swanee River)’, for which he won a Grammy Award in 2005.
On Tuesday 16 November 2004, David Ball saw the release of ‘Freewheeler’ (Wildcatter Records, 2004), which included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Louisiana Melody’ (written by David Ball and Allen Shamblin) (No.59, 2004)
‘Happy With The One I’ve Got’ (written by Wood Newton and Rand Bishop) / this track was released as a single in 2005, but it did not chart
‘Too Much Blood in My Alcohol Level’ (written by Wood Newton and Mark Alan Barnett) / this track was released as a single in 2005, but it did not chart
David Ball’s ‘Freewheeler’ (Wildcatter Records, 2004) also included the following tracks:
‘Nobody Told Me’ (written by Gary Cotton and John Wiggins)
‘Tell Me With Your Heart’ (written by David Ball and Chris Carmichael)
‘I Can See Arkansas’ (written by Wood Newton and James Nihan)
‘Desert Luau’ (written by Danny Baker)
‘Mr. Teardrop’ (written by David Ball)
‘Yours Truly Blue’ (written by David Ball and Chris Carmichael)
‘A Girl I Used To Know’ (written by David Ball) / upon the recommendation of T. Graham Brown, this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Real Country Music‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2016)
‘Violence & Lies’ (written by Wood Newton)
‘Freewheeler’, which was written by Jesse Winchester (Wednesday 17 May 1944 – Friday 11 April 2014)
Personnel involved in the recording of David Ball’s ‘Freewheeler’ (Wildcatter Records, 2004) included the following:
David Ball (lead vocals)
Vince Barranco and Milton Sledge (drums)
Chris Carmichael (fiddle)
J.T. Corenflos (Wednesday 6 November 1963 – Saturday 24 October 2020) (electric guitar)
Dan Frizsell, Billy Linneman and Alison Prestwood (bass guitar)
Mike Johnson (pedal steel guitar)
Kim Morrison, Wood Newton and Russell Terrell (background vocals)
Billy Panda (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukulele)
Mike Rojas (piano)
Jeff Taylor (piano, accordion)
On Tuesday 27 March 2007, David Ball saw the release of ‘Heartaches By The Number’ (Shanachie Records, 2007), which included the following tracks:
‘Pick Me Up On Your Way Down’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) / the original version of this track was recorded by Charlie Walker (Tuesday 2 November 1926 – Friday 12 September 2008); Charlie Walker’s version of the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1958, and was subsequently included on ‘Charlie Walker’s Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1961)
‘Stop The World & Let Me Off’, which was written by Carl Belew (Tuesday 21 April 1931 – Wednesday 31 October 1990) and W.S. Stevenson (1900 – 1978) / the original version of this track was recorded, as a non-album single for Four Star Records, by Carl Belew, in 1957
• this track was also recorded, as a non-album single for Decca Records, by Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 – Tuesday 5 March 1963) in January 1957; Patsy Cline’s version of the track was subsequently included on ‘Patsy Cline’s Golden Hits’ (Everest Records, 1962)
‘Heartaches By The Number’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1959; Ray Price‘s version of the track was subsequently included on ‘Ray Price’s Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1962)
‘Sweet Dreams’, which was written by Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003) / the original version of this track was recorded by Don Gibson for RCA Victor Records in 1955, and it reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1956
• this track was also recorded by Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996), who recorded it for Capitol Records in 1956, when it reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart; Faron Young’s version of the track was subsequently included on ‘This Is Faron Young’ (Capitol Records, 1959)
• this track was re-recorded by Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003), who included it on ‘Sweet Dreams’ (RCA Victor Records, 1960); Don Gibson’s re-recording of the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1960, and No.93 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1960
• this track was also recorded by Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 – Tuesday 5 March 1963) on Tuesday 5 February 1963, and was intended to be included on ‘Faded Love’, an album for Decca Records, which was never released; Patsy Cline’s version of the track was subsequently included on ‘Patsy Cline: The Last Sessions’ (MCA Records, 1988)
• this track was also recorded by Emmylou Harris, who included it on ‘Elite Hotel’ (Reprise Records, 1976); Emmylou Harris’ version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in December 1976 / January 1977
‘Please Feed The Jukebox’ (written by David Ball) / this track was the only original song included on the album
‘There Stands The Glass’ (written by Russ Hull, Audrey Grisham and Mary Jean Shurtz) / the original version of this track was recorded by Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), who included it on ‘The Wondering Boy’ (Decca Records, 1956); Webb Pierce’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for twelve weeks between November 1953 and February 1954
‘Faded Love’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975), John Wills and Billy Jack Wills / the original version of this track was recorded by Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys, whose version reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1950
‘What’s Going On In Your World’, which was written by David Chamberlain, Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018) and Red Steagall / the original version of this track was recorded by George Strait, who included it on ‘Beyond The Blue Neon’ (MCA Records, 1989); George Strait’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1989
‘Half As Much’, which was written by Curley Williams (Wednesday 3 June 1914 – Saturday 5 September 1970) / the original version of this track was recorded by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), whose version reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1952; the track was subsequently included on ‘Hank Williams’ Memorial Album’ (MGM Records, 1953)
‘Please Help Me, I’m Falling’, which was written by Don Robertson (Tuesday 5 December 1922 – Monday 16 March 2015) and Hal Blair / the original version of this track was recorded by Hank Locklin (Friday 15 February 1918 – Sunday 8 March 2009), who included it on ‘Please Help Me I’m Falling’ (RCA Victor Records, 1960); Hank Locklin’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for fourteen weeks between May 1960 and August 1960, and No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1960
‘I’m Walking The Dog’ (written by Clifton Grimsley and E.M. Grimsley) / the original version of this track was recorded by Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), who included it on ‘Webb Pierce’ (Decca Records, 1955); Webb Pierce’s version of the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1953
Personnel involved in the recording of David Ball’s ‘Heartaches By The Number’ (Shanachie Records, 2007) included the following:
David Ball (lead vocals)
Brad Clancey and Owen Hale (drums)
Perry Coleman (background vocals)
Steve Gibson and Chris Leuzinger (electric guitar)
Mike Johnson and Tommy White (steel guitar)
Larry Paxton (bass guitar)
Joe Spivey (fiddle, acoustic guitar)
Lyle Lovett recorded David Ball’s ‘Don’t You Think I Feel It Too’ and included the track on ‘Natural Forces’ (Curb Records / Lost Highway Records, 2009).
On Tuesday 20 April 2010, David Ball saw the release of ‘Sparkle City’ (Red Dirt / E1 Entertainment / E1 Music / Koch Records, 2010), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘Hot Water Pipe’ (written by David Ball) / this track was released as a single in 2010, but it did not chart
David Ball’s ‘Sparkle City’ (Red Dirt / E1 Entertainment / E1 Music / Koch Records, 2010) also included the following tracks:
‘Country Boy Boogie’ (written by David Ball)
‘Just Along For The Ride’ (written by David Ball)
‘Tulsa’ (written by David Ball)
‘Maybe Tomorrow’ (written by David Ball)
‘What’ll I Do If I Don’t Have You’ (written by David Ball and Lawrence Russell Brown)
‘Smiling In The Morning’ (written by David Ball)
‘Back To Alabama’ (written by David Ball)
‘On Top of The World’ (written by David Ball)
‘Houston Again’ (written by David Ball and Lawrence Russell Brown)
‘So Long’ (written by David Ball and Lawrence Russell Brown)
Personnel involved in the recording of David Ball’s ‘Sparkle City’ (Red Dirt / E1 Entertainment / E1 Music / Koch Records, 2010) included the following:
Troy Cook Jr. (guitar)
Billy Pierce (bass)
Scott Metko (drums)
On Monday 21 November 2011, David Ball saw the release of his first ever collection of Christmas music, ‘The Greatest Christmas’ (Public Records, 2011).
In addition to a few holiday favourites, six compositions were brand new David Ball classics. As a special Christmas present to his fans, David Ball also included previously unreleased versions of two of his biggest hit singles.
David Ball’s first ever collection of Christmas music, ‘The Greatest Christmas’ (Public Records, 2011) included the following tracks:
‘The Greatest Christmas’ (written by David Ball, Paul Overstreet and Rob Crosby)
‘When Christmas Comes’ (written by David Ball)
‘Everyone Knows Christmas Is Coming’ (written by David Ball)
‘I Heard The Bells’ (written by Henry W. Longfellow, John Calkin and David Ball)
‘It’s Christmas Time In The Blue Ridge Mountains’ (written by David Ball)
‘Islands Calling’ (written by David Ball)
‘Santa Send Some Texas’ (written by David Ball)
‘I’m Getting Nothing For Christmas’ (written by S. Tepper and R. Bennett with additional words and music by David Ball)
‘Riding With Private Malone’ (written by Wood Newton and Thom Sheperd) / this track was an acoustic version of a track, which David Ball recorded in 2001, and included on ‘Amigo’ (Dualtone Records, 2001); David Ball’s original version of the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2001, and No.36 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2001
‘I’ve Got A New Thinking Problem’ (written by David Ball, Allen Shamblin and Stuart Ziff)
Personnel involved in the recording, at Toolshed Studios in Nashville, of David Ball’s first ever collection of Christmas music, ‘The Greatest Christmas’ (Public Records, 2011), included the following:
David Ball (acoustic guitar, bass guitar, percussion, vocals)
Troy Cook Jr. (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals)
Scott Metko (percussion)
Billy Pierce (bass guitar)
David Ball continues to honour the military by teaming up with the charitable organization, Operation Troop Aid. The 501c3 send care packages to deployed United States troops. Operation Troop Aid merchandise is available for purchase at every show, with 100% of sales benefiting the charity. David Ball also appeared in a national television campaign in support of the organisation.
In 2013, David Ball became one of the first living members to be inducted into the Historic Spartanburg Music Trail in his hometown of Spartanburg, South Carolina, joining other notables, including Hank Garland (Tuesday 11 November 1930 – Monday 27 December 2004), Don Wesley Reno (Monday 21 February 1927 – Tuesday 16 October 1984), Buck Trent and The Marshall Tucker Band.
David Ball has also made appearances in multiple episodes of RFD-TV’s ‘Country’s Family Reunion’, which is available on DVD. David Ball was featured in ‘God Bless America Again’ in 2014, ‘A Tribute To Ray Price’ in 2015, and ‘Honky Tonk Reunion’ in 2015.
In October 2015, David Ball made his debut on ‘Larry’s Country Diner’.
Gene Watson recorded David Ball’s ‘A Girl I Used To Know’ and included the track on ‘Real Country Music‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2016).
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, in November 2016, David Ball was writing and recording new original material.
In 2018, David Ball saw the release of ‘Come See Me’ (Public Records, 2018), which included the following tracks:
‘Maybe We’ll Wind Up In Love’
‘I Got A Broken Heart In The Mail’
‘Jeannie’s Back In The Bottle’
‘Papa Goes To Jail’
‘Better Days’
‘Come See Me’
‘Beaumont Dent & Alignment’
‘Get Your Arms Around This Broken Heart’
‘Pretty Baby’
‘Are You Lonesome For Me’
‘Lettin’ Go’
‘Little Ranchero’
‘4 O’Clock Waltz’
‘Come Closer’
• Visit David Ball’s official site at davidball.com
• Like David Ball on Facebook
• Visit David Ball’s You Tube Channel at youtube.com/DavidBallMusic