The West Michigan-bred, Nashville-based country singer unfurled his ninth annual holiday show at Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Saturday for a jolly “family” of fans. Review, photos.
Holiday Spirit: Frankie Ballard showed plenty of that on stage at Kalamazoo State Theatre. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
“It’s always good to come back to the family,” said the Battle Creek-bred Frankie Ballard as he looked out upon the sold-out Kalamazoo State Theatre crowd on Saturday.
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Fans responded by raising their glasses high to commemorate the singer’s ninth annual “Country Christmas” concert, this year falling on Ballard’s 35th birthday.
Country for a Cause: Ballard’s ninth annual Christmas show raised funds for the T.J. Martell Foundation. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
With a tailor-fit pinstripe suit and his trademark red bandana hanging out of his back pocket, the former Western Michigan University baseball star treated 1,500 of his closest family and friends to hit tunes such as “Sunshine & Whiskey,” “Helluva Life,” “Young and Crazy” and “It all Started with a Beer,” while also bringing his dad, “Big Frank” on stage to join the Wildcat Band for a rendition of Elvis’ “Love me Tender,” the song Ballard’s new bride walked down the aisle to just last month.
“Love Me Tender” wasn’t the only Elvis tune played by the former Bronco: He also broke into “Hound Dog” and “Heartbreak Hotel” later in the show.
Regaling the crowd all night with witty banter and nostalgic tales — like running around with longtime guitarist and high school pal Eddie Robinson — Ballard also tried out a couple of brand new songs on his hometown fans, both of which seemed to go over just fine with those in attendance.
“Nobody tells you the truth like a hometown crowd,” he said as he busted out “Freight Train of Trouble” and “Try, Try, Try,” songs likely to appear on his forthcoming album.
Other highlights from Ballard and the Wildcat Band — which also features Robbie Harrington on bass and Travis McNabb on drums — included crowd favorites such as “Cigarette,” “Drinky Drink” and “Little Bit of Both,” as well as a cover of Johnny Cash’s “Big River.”
Nashville recording artist Patrick Sweany opened the show, a fundraiser for the T.J. Martell Foundation, as has been tradition for the Christmas concert. All proceeds from Saturday night’s show, as well as those raised from a silent auction at the show, are being directly applied to fund sarcoma research.
PHOTO GALLERY: Frankie Ballard, Patrick Sweany at State Theatre
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