Feature Articles

The Ball Brothers

The Ball Brothers are a relatively new face on the scene. Explain the history of the group to our readers.

The question we get asked most often is: "Are you really brothers?". Yes, we are. We grew up singing in Illinois and lived there until 2001. From 2001-2005 we traveled with our Dad and sang at meetings he preached at. Then in 2006, we moved to Chickamauga, GA and started singing full-time.

You guys, in your short time on the road, have gotten to share the stage with some of Gospel music's most treasured artists like Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and The Martins. What was it like opening for them?

Awesome! For us it was really a valuable learning experience. The Martins taught us how to use the voice and range that God has given us to blend harmonies that only a family group could create. Ernie took time on each date we were with him to mentor us in about every aspect of gospel music.

Who are you biggest musical influences?

We grew up with the Cathedrals being our favorite group. Their music still influences what we do today. We have also been huge fans of the Gaither Vocal Band. Their ability to take songs from from different time periods and make them current has challenged us to do the same.

You guys just released your latest album - Breakthrough - with Song Garden Music Group. Tell us about the new release.

With "Breakthrough" a listener can expect to take a journey through several styles of music woven together by a common message and theme. One of the things that we set out to do from the beginning was to be "unpredictable" musically. For the traditional southern gospel lover, you'll find songs like, "I Wouldn't Miss Heaven", "Everyday, Every Hour" and "It's About the Cross". For those that like a country-flare to their gospel music, listen to "Forgiven". Those that like a more progressive style would enjoy songs like "He Did What I Couldn't Do" or "Tell It Like It Is". It's a variety without being "extreme" in any one direction.

How has the audience and fan reaction been to the new project?

The response has been amazing . . . not just in term of units sold, but from the the people that have come up after a concert or sent an email telling us of how one of the new songs has touched their life. It's also not uncommon for us to look out over a crowd and see a grandparent sitting right next to their grandchild enjoying the same concert and same songs. One church recently advertised our concert as, "music that spans the generations". When we saw that, we knew this project has had the broad appeal that we had hoped for.

What are the long term goals for the Ball Brothers?

One long term goal that we had set several years ago in now in reach. A bus! We've finally found the right one to purchase and will be glad to retire the van. Long term we're working on splitting up our schedule into specific tours. We have already begun putting this into place with our Christmas Tour and Foreign Tour, but in the coming years this will be expanded. We try to be careful with setting too many goals, because sometimes our goal are God's boundaries. We would love to see our ministry expand to the fullest potential He has for us.

Who would you love to work with some day?

Christian: We would love to sing back-up for David Phelps
Secular: Michael Buble

What has God been teaching you lately?

Patience. Sometimes we push really hard for the things that we want now, not realizing God has something better for us waiting around the corner to reveal in His timing.

Any additional information you would like to share?

Sure. Come out and see us on our Christmas Tour with Roy Webb.

http://www.theballbrothers.com