Thursday, May 19th, marks the first time I ever saw Frankie Ballard perform live, and after a stellar show packed with electrifying guitar solos, rock and roll, and some of my favorite Frankie Ballard tunes, it will definitely not be the last.
He took the stage at Irving Plaza in New York City to a room full of energetic and eager fans that immediately joined him in singing the fitting kick off song, “Young and Crazy”. Ballard wasted no time before giving us a taste of his impeccable guitar skills with the extended version, which was a common theme for several of the songs he performed throughout the night.
With his third studio album “El Rio” coming out on June 10, Ballard gave us a taste of his new music with “Cigarette” and “El Camino”. Although both newly released, the entire venue full of dedicated fans seemed to already have every word down.
![“El Rio”](http://<a href="https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/el-rio/id1104511455?at=11l5an&mt=1&app=music" style="display:inline-block;overflow:hidden;background:url(https://linkmaker.itunes.apple.com/images/badges/en-us/badge_music-lrg.svg) no-repeat;width:165px;height:40px;"></a>){kind=link}
He took a few minutes to pay his respects to one of his own idols, Elvis Presley, as he went on to perform an exhilarating rendition of “Hound Dog” and “Heartbreak Hotel”.
He slowed things down with his current smash hit, “It All Started With A Beer”, and one of my favorite tracks off his last record, “I’m Thinkin’ Country”, the perfect song for the New York City country loving crowd to relate to, with lyrics such as:
“But it’s been a couple weeks
since I walked on something but concrete.
This big city’s getting to me,
I’m having hillbilly dreams”
A cover of the Keith Urban favorite, “Love Somebody” was well received, and we showed Frankie Ballard just how much his music means to all of us, as we sang him back his own song, “Helluva Life”.
Another new track, “L.A Woman” off his upcoming record, and some boogie tunes closed the show, and we were left satisfied with a mix of favorites, unexpected covers, and a taste into what his new album will bring.
Frankie Ballard revealed the undeniable passion he has for his craft, and his immeasurable talent with every note sung, and every chord played throughout the night. With his nostalgic choice of covers, and many of our favorites from his own collection, Frankie Ballard had our full attention, and proved to be a must see live.
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