I was born in Kinston, North Carolina, on April 19, 1948. My family and many of my relatives lived on French Lane, where many of the poorest white folk of Kinston lived.
My grandparents, Vaden and Addie Powell were devout Christians. They out-lived four of their ten children.
Dad, Allen James Ball, aka "Jay" and "AJ", moved our family from Kinston, in 1955, to Greenville, N.C. We lived there for only a few months, moving to Washington, N.C., where we lived until 1972. In 1972, we moved back to Kinston.
I played in junior and high school band, in Washington; and started playing in my Dad's band, at Whichard's Beach, when I was 13-years old. I volunteered to join the army, on September 12, 1966, at Ft. Bragg, upon graduation.
I attended Little Creek Naval School of Music, in Norfolk, Virginia, from November 1966, until May 1967. I was then stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C., with the 440th Army Band. There, I played in the 440th jazz band as well. The jazz ensemble toured eastern North Carolina, playing in high schools, including my alma mater, Washington, N.C. My tour of duty ended on September 11, 1969, after which I enrolled at East Carolina University, in Greenville, N.C., December 1969.
I've struggled since then to become a successful songwriter, working as a professional musician since 1971.
After an unremarkable nine-month stint as a college student, ( I didn't take algebra, algebra took me!)I dropped out of college to manage, and perform in, a 7-piece, variety music band.
Since my Mother became plagued by seizures, in 2004, and later cancer, in 2009, I've been full-time care giver for my Mom, and my Dad, (Dad died on July 10, 2008), in Britthaven of Snow Hill nursing home, at age 86.
Mama just turned 83 on May 14, 2010. On June 10, 2009, a Kinston oncologiist, from India, prophesied my mother's death, saying she had "six months to live." The prophesy was delivered in a startling, cold, unsympathetic manner. The oncologist never once smiled during his meeting with my Mom, my brother, and me.
Thoroughly disgusted with "smiling-boy," I found oncologist Dr. James N. Atkins, of Goldsboro, N.C. He's a wonderful doctor, greatly admired by everyone who's had the fortune to know him or be treated by him. He bears a remarkable resemblance to Dr. House, on the TV series of the same name. The similarities end there. He's a gifted professional who, along with superb treatment, offers hope to his patients, as much as is reasonable and realistic.
Jackie Gore is well-known in the field of beach music and music styles beyond. He's an exemplary performer, guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Jackie is recording a beach music song of mine, "Cuddle Up". Johnny Barker, superb keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and producer, is producing the song. Jackie wrote the beach music anthem "I Love Beach Music". Johnny wrote the beach music classic "Summertime's Calling Me". I'm looking forward, with much anticipation, to hearing the song, which I've placed in such capable hands. Despite the fact that they, like me, are musicians and ne'er-do-wells, they are gentlemen and just plain, good ol', North Carolina boys. They remind me of the guy who said: "I put my pants on, one leg at a time, like everyone else. The only difference is: I write hit songs".
My home recording of "Cuddle Up" has, as of today, Friday, May 21, 2010, amassed 25, 267 views, since August 21, 2009 {A lot for an unknown artist with a poorly recorded, home-recorded demo}.
Jackie and Johnny are part of the new beach music group, Legends of Beach. You can find their videos on youtube. You can find my videos on youtube, as well, at the URLs below:
ALLEN BALL ~ CUDDLE UP {Posted August 21, 2009}
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUa6g0BMITE
ALLEN BALL
http://www.youtube.com/user/19271948
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