The 13th Hour 1965-1968
Kharon 1974-1976
The James Dean Band 1976-1984
Loose Ends 1985-1988
Step-N-Out 1988-2023
Don grew up in Alabama, to a very musical family. His Dad, Roy Ballard played about every instrument, except Piano. Roy played and was a comedian weekly on regional television as a member of “The Country Boy Eddie Show”. Everyone in Dons family was musical except his mom, which Don would always comment “GOOD! Somebody needs to listen.”
“I’m 9 and a half”, as Don would say, Dad was teaching him acoustic guitar. Don wanted an electric guitar, but his dad told him when he learns to play the acoustic well, he would buy him the electric. Don got his 1st electric guitar on his 10th Birthday.
At 12, Don’s family moved to Hollywood, California. At 14, he started his first band called “The 13th Hour”, and they wrote a song by the same name. They would practice at the Y.M.C.A. The 18-year-old boy that worked there liked the teenagers and told them to set up a Valentines Day dance where they could play. The 13th Hour did and invited the whole school, over 100 kids showed up, they felt like ROCK STARS! Don says, “that started the flame.”
Don joined many bands throughout the years, playing all over Los Angeles and the surrounding areas on ships, yachts and trains, small clubs, large shows, dive bars, charity events, anywhere he could.
In 1971 Don was deployed and served in the Army’s 101st Airborn Division until 1972
In the 80’s he relocated to Seattle, performing in various clubs. After building a brand for himself in Seattle he created, owned and operated “Roadside Studios” which became a hub for local music for many years.
After several years he moved back to the L.A. area. He did studio work with “Bary BAZ Paul '' from the band “The Hard Rock Kids”. He played, wrote and sang on radio jingles for, (at the time) # 1 Radio Show in Tokyo, Japan, produced by “BAZ” featuring American music hosted by famous American D.J’s.
Over the years, Don has written songs and played for other Artists in various genres including Country, Jazz, Rock and Oldies. In recent years Don produced the albums “Pick up the Pieces” & “Out of the Darkness” and is currently working on his third album called Titanium Magnaflux.
