David Ball left high school as a proficient stand-up bass player, easily able to adapt to country, bluegrass and swing. Leaving Texas for Nashville, his publishing contract failed to realise any commercial success in the 1980's despite his Hank Williams-esque resigned but evocative country balladeering style
Ball's breakthough album, and full debut, Thinkin' Problem didn't appear until 1994, but the CD did rack up sales, and was certified double platinum in 1995. Success again faded with a brief resurgence in 2001 with the smash hit Riding with Private Malone.