Jimmy can music make a difference?
Yes.
Terry Bar introduces us to Green Bay based musician Bob Ballsley.
And the 76 year old has taught thousands to play guitar
and shared his songs around the world.
He was also recently honored with two sold out shows
at the Charlton Theater in Green Bay.
Tribute concerts celebrating Bob's life and music.
Here's Terry with Bob's incredible story.
And why for him?
It's really about the music.
Right in the heart of the circle.
Hell, hell, snap of every single day.
With three days since I shot him.
Can't believe how good it feels.
Left him lying whenever deserts.
Left him laying near the sand,
and he won't call for your granted.
I am pleased to welcome to our show today, Bob Ballsley.
I like to describe Bob as singer, songwriter, guitar player,
guitar teacher, and overall amazing musician and man.
Bob, thank you for joining me today.
Hope this is my pleasure, dear.
We are listening to Across the Rio Grande.
What can you tell us about this song?
This was written about my former wife.
She had a stalker instead of, you know,
actually doing anything about it.
I wrote a song of...
Why do you?
And when I've seen you play,
you always have kind of a grin on your face.
What is it about music that gives you such joy?
It takes me away.
Nothing else I can think about when I'm playing.
It just entirely takes over my being.
Do people understand that?
Or do you hope when they're listening to you play,
they feel that same way?
I think I can take them away for a while, yes.
You know, and we're talking right before universal music day.
It's kind of described as a day meant to bring peace and harmony
to the world through music.
Do you feel like that's another part of music peace and harmony?
Oh, absolutely, absolutely.
And community as well.
Music ties us all together.
Tell me your backstory, if you will.
How long have you been playing?
And when did you start?
My mother was a choir director at a church.
So I was singing from two years old.
That's when I started really enjoying music.
Because I could do it.
Yeah.
And she showed me how, which was absolutely lovely.
And then I started teaching guitar at about 11 years old.
Wait, not learning it.
You were teaching it.
Yes.
I lived in Madison as a time.
And my teacher didn't want to teach beginners.
So after he had trained me some,
he was giving all his beginner students.
That's incredible.
It was amazing to make that sort of easy money
at 11, 12 years old.
You have traveled for music
and somehow you landed in Green Bay.
Where have you gone?
Have you had some favorite shows?
And then what brought you to Green Bay?
My parents had a door county cabin,
which I spent some time at.
Actually, I've been around the world twice.
I've been to about 44 countries.
And given concerts working for...
Oh, it gives them guitar and fender as well.
They would have me demonstrate their products.
How did that feel to actually have these amazing people
who are creating these guitars asking you
to tell people about the guitars?
It's pretty amazing.
They made me guitar to my specifications,
which I still have, of course.
Oh, that's great.
It's been quite a life.
I would say South Africa, Brazil, Thailand,
all those places are amazing
because they love guitar music.
Talk about universal music and the language.
It's just a whole language of its own.
Are you still playing as often as you can today?
I'm playing this very Thursday.
When I had a tribute show in Green Bay
and it included almost every professional good band
and they covered my songs.
It was really extraordinary.
And I knew all of these are my friends
in different bands or the teaching part
for me was so important
because I got to share things
that I know with people
that really appreciated learning it.
And I wrote a couple of books about this too.
We're going to end this with the song in my life.
What is this about?
Why did you write this?
I wrote it for all the people that have been good to me
and listened to my music and played with me.
In my life, I'm so glad that I knew you.
And all the things you helped me through.
In my life.
In my life.
In my life.
In my life.
I could never ask for more
every time you open doors.
In my life.
And so it goes.
This time closes in
places we have been.
I do it all again.
In my life.
I never could have found the way.
Said the things I had to say.
Got them through another day.
I'm so happy that you stay.
In my life.
And so it goes.
This time closes in
places we have been.
I do it all again.
In my life.
I could have never found the way.
Said the things I had to say.
Got them through another day.
I'm so happy that you stay.
In my life.
If it's local music from Wisconsin,
it's heard here.