In this week's episode we're featuring the second album (of three) for Michigan's Larry Ballard: "Honky Tonk Heaven Is A Hell Of A Place To Be" (1976). "Discovered" and produced by the legendary Pete Drake, there is precious little information out there about Larry Ballard's three albums for Capitol in the 70s. The second of those, however, features some of the finest country singer/songwriter material you've never heard of. With audible ties to multiple genres a la Gary Stewart of the same era, it's no surprise to learn Ballard has a background in rock 'n' roll. Once the switch to country came, Drake assembled a fine studio group to back Larry Ballard and the steel strains of Paul Franklin are simply delightful. Pictured in a cafe corner booth on the front of the album nursing a half-empty beer, cigarette in hand staring wistfully out the window, such classic country imagery doesn't lead us astray: "Honky Tonk Heaven" has plenty to like for listeners willing to dig past the big names in the record bin.. and it makes you wonder why Ballard seemingly disappeared after 1977.
Ep. 602 - Hugh X. Lewis - Country Fever
Ray Pillow - Even When It's Bad It's Good!
Sean Burns - Lost Country
Red's Country Ladies
Pat Patterson - Most Requested Country Songs
Stoney Edwards - Land Of The Giants
Sonny Burns: 1959-1968
The Derailers - Full Western Dress
The Whites - Whole New World
Hoot Hester - On The Swingin' Side
I Can Almost See Houston: The Complete Howdy Glenn
BONUS: Interview with Scott B. Bomar on "The Complete Howdy Glenn"
Gene Davis: California Country King
Johnny Dollar - Down Life's Highway
Randy Kohrs & The Reel Deal - Now It's Empty
George Dearborne - Old Brown Bottle
All Request Show #2
Caution! Eddie Bond Music Is Contagious: The Hard Country Side Of A Rockabilly Star
Conway Twitty - Darling, You Know I Wouldn't Lie
Melba Montgomery - The Original Nugget Sessions (1962)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Irish Songs with Ken Murray
Immediately Kinfolk
Turned On
Resident by Hernan Cattaneo
Markus Schulz presents Global DJ Broadcast