David Ball

David Ball, who is promoting his Christmas CD, makes a stop in St. Joseph at 8:15 p.m. Nov. 29 at St. Joseph High School Performing Arts Center, 2521 Stadium Drive in St. Joseph.

Ball solidified his spot in music history early in his career. As a founding member of the legendary Uncle Walt’s Band (with Walter Hyatt and Champ Hood), Ball cut his chops as a musician, writer and performer.

The award-winning singer/songwriter has enjoyed commercial success in country music with top- charting hits, such as “Thinkin’ Problem,” “Look What Followed Me Home” and “Riding with Private Malone.” He has has performed at the Kennedy Center Honors, on the Grand Ole Opry and has a Grammy Award on a shelf at home.

Not one to rest on his many laurels, Ball continues to tour with his band, The Pioneer Playboys, and has planned several concerts featuring music from his Christmas CD, “The Greatest Christmas.”

Ball said he considers himself a “melody guy” who believes, as John Lennon did, that a memorable melody trumps lyrics every time.

“Great songs have great lyrics and a great melody,” Ball said. “People come in the door with a melody, they may sit down awhile for a lyric, but there aren’t any rules. That’s what makes it interesting.”

Not bound or beholden to genre, Ball’s recent album, “Sparkle City,” is a mix of flavors, including Americana, jazz, Tex-Mex as well as country. His brand of country is rooted in the 1950s with elements of folk.

The big Texas dancehalls of past decades were clearly a great inspiration to Ball’s music, and he has a repertoire of songs longer than a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado.

Ball has played with Bob Dylan and counts among his friends Lyle Lovett, who has recorded Ball’s music and was a longtime fan of Uncle Walt’s Band.

A prolific songwriter, Ball said he prefers to simply write, perform and work out new arrangements with the band that  tours and records with him.

Call (269) 605-0639 for ticket information.