Gary Ballen Interview
By Jonathan Freeman-Anderson

Gary Ballen has been a Valley entertainment staple for almost thirty years. Influenced by music since he was four and working with a variety of genres and performers in his career inspired Ballen to take up live performance of classic songs himself. Ballen is able to perform popular music from almost any genre, and between playing shows at various Valley bars and pubs and private parties, Ballen actively pursues a variety of other creative endeavors.

Valley Scene: Where do you perform in the Valley?

Gary Ballen: I played the Pickwick Pub in Woodland Hills for 25 years, from the early 80's to when it burned down. I currently perform at the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas every Wednesday from 6:30-10:00, the Blarney Cove in Canoga Park every Friday night from 10:00-2:00 and I'm going to be at the Lookout Bar & Grill in the Channel Islands every Saturday starting September 6th. and I will also be at the Crown & Anchor in Thousand Oaks on Sept 6th, 14th & 27th from 4:00-7:00.

VS: How did you get involved with music?

GB: I've been performing since I was in middle school many, many years ago. It is my hobby and my passion. I have always had other gigs around music business, production manager for Air Supply in the early 80's, road managing Lita Ford, Jeff Lorber, Richard Clayderman, followed by tours with Eazy E & NWA, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. I worked at Ruthless Records from '89 till Eazy E died in '95. I currently work with Damon Elliott, a music producer who has worked with Pink, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, etc. I've always been in the music business, and have always played music. It's what I've always wanted to do my whole life.

VS: How did you get to the Valley?

GB: I came out here in 1969 and stayed with my cousin, Jerry Heller who was a big Music agent at the time. I knew then that I would end up out here. In 1978 I moved from Columbus Ohio and managed a rehearsal studio called Big Ed Productions in Northridge. The groups I started working with were Chaka Kahn and Rufus, Three Dog Night, Toto, and The Knack to name a few.

VS: Do you still manage bands?

GB: I had to diversify. My main projects now include "The Untold Truth" a documentary about the Negro baseball leagues; Louis Gossett Jr. is a partner and narrator. We've been given the opportunity to shoot at Dodger Stadium, Go Dodgers! We're going to bring in young icons to talk about the Negro Baseball League, celebrities, athletes, musicians, etc. I'm also working on a South African musical called "African Footprint",
A very cool project.

VS: How do you like the Valley?

GB: A great location. This is where I live, I don't really care about performing in Westwood, Santa Monica. I'm a Valley person and people from here know me now, which is great because the more it picks up the better we'll all do.

VS: Why do you think you get the response from audiences that you do?

GB: I perform what the audience wants and I know lots and lots of songs. My signature songs are Brown Eyed Girl, American Pie, Wipe Out, Hotel California, The No No Song. I take money to start and money to stop which is a story in itself. I go from Boyz in da Hood to Puff the Magic Dragon, Straight Outta Compton to Kumbaya, Gangsta Gangsta to Feelings. I do ton's of Elvis, Beatles, Stones, Eagles.. I gauge my crowd. If there are kids around, I watch my language. I don't take myself seriously, I never have, and we all have a good time.

VS: Is there anything that you won't perform?

GB: I'll try anything…If I've heard it.

VS: How do you feel about the current state of music?

GB: I think the 50's 60's and 70's were the best.

VS: Would you ever want to go back out on tour with a band?

GB: I'm happy not going on tour anymore. I was on tour non-stop for ten years. When I was on tour, I went all over the world and I loved it. I've had some of the most incredible experiences with Air Supply, Lita Ford, NWA and Bone Thugs. It's been an interesting life.

VS: So how has your passion for music affected your family?

GB: My 16 year old prefers underground hip-hop, my 13 year old classic and current rock. The younger one plays bass and sings in a rock band called The Splinterz. They play Hendrix, Chili Peppers, Zeppelin, etc.

VS: Is there anything else about your performances that you wish to mention?

GB: Yes, I've brought in a good friend of mine, Leslie Lewis to sing with me. She does the chick songs, Janis Joplin, Fleetwood Mac, Patsy Cline, etc. She does great harmonies and I love singing with her.

VS: What's your favorite thing about performing?

GB: Pretty much everybody knows every word to every song I do.

VS: What do you say to people who want to hear more of you?
Singing and entertaining is my passion. It's what I love to do. I've made many people happy over the years and I'll continue to do it until I die.

To get more information, go to www.garyballen.com.