Today we’d like to introduce you to Travis Reid Ball
Hi Travis Reid , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started learning basic guitar chords from my father when I was 6 years old and spent a lot of time trying to play along with Elvis Presley records.
My father’s side of the family were all musically talented, from eastern Kentucky, through elementary school I would go with my parents to family get togethers and bluegrass shows where my aunts and uncles would all play and perform.
In middle school I started playing bass guitar to play along with my family members who all played guitars, fiddles, mandolins and drums, was just missing a bass player so my father convinced me to try it out, I haven’t put it down since.
At 14 I was playing in a family based country music cover band around the Columbus area and sometimes north or south as well.
Through high school and after, I played in various country and rock cover bands along with my older brother and sometimes my niece.
I went through a spell of not playing music after getting married and beginning a family with my wife and kids, working with my brother in the sheet metal industry, local union 24 , which I am proudly still a part of today.
After my parents passed away, I used songwriting as a way of managing my grief over their loss.
I was never a singer, always just a backing bass player, but I started my own project under my own name, writing, singing and recording, pushing myself to learn and improve.
I studied so many of the classic country performers I remember as a kid, trying to learn song structure and vocalisation, artists like Buck Owens, Waylon Jennings, Marty Robbins and so on.
I listen to all forms of music, rock, metal, punk, but I always go back to the 60’s and 70’s sounds I heard playing on my parents record player as a kid.
Since starting my project, I’ve turned it into a LLC, had two number one songs on various Indy county charts across the United States, had my songs played on Indy radio stations throughout Europe, Canada and Australia and played throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and New York City.
My next performance will be at The Underdog August 24 in Nashville TN.
My music is on most streaming services.
I’m by no means famous, but I’m proud of the things I’ve accomplished while maintaining a family life, full time job and handling my music business.
As a independent artist, I’m thankful for anyone who gives me a piece of their time, to listen to the words I write and put to song, it’s more valuable to me than any dollar amount.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Confidence held me back in my younger days, never thought I was good enough to perform on my own.
I still don’t think I’m really good, there are so many people just within the Columbus Ohio area that are far more talented than me.
I challenged myself to make the most with what I am and create my own style.
Not a true singer, more of a stylist, but I found something that works and people who come out and watch a show always have a good time and enjoy what I bring to the table.
Plus I surround myself with great people on and off the stage who play in my band, they help create a package that works for what we do!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I could go multiple ways with this.
For the last 7 years, I’ve put a ton of time in on the artistic and creative side, writing songs, developing a singing style and a stage performance, all while maintaining a career in the sheet metal industry as a employee and supervisor for a south side Columbus fabrication shop.
Mostly 8 to 10 hour days in the shop with weekends, and evenings spent at rehearsals or gigs.
My earned vacation time is used in four day blocks for travel mini tours in the spring, summer and fall.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Number one is I always try to treat people as good as possible.
I never judge or really care about a person’s lifestyle, religion or political views.
I enjoy meeting people, a major reason I play out live.
Life is stressful, I want folks who come to one of my shows to forget about any worries they may have and just enjoy the moment.
I love talking to new people and hearing their stories as well, I’m always excited traveling to a new city or new venue I’ve never played just to meet as many new people and friends as I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.travis-reid-ball-music.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travisreidball/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/troublerooster?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Twitter: https://x.com/travisb55183190?t=qBNQ8N8F9HRazL8Fgny8Pw&s=09
- Soundcloud: Check out Travis Reid Ball on #SoundCloud https://on.soundcloud.com/e2Cqj
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1wlQR8FAyyy8EFGIt1PwjB?si=RvDrPJnHQfmb7ZOrSfUC_g
