Dirty Church Clothes

"The site was Sonic Ranch, a remote studio located in a pecan grove on the Rio Grande just south of El Paso, Texas. Of 14 songs recorded in an intense 10-day marathon, nine appear on the album ... named for its birthplace: El Rio."
(Nancy Kruh /  people.com, 11. Mai 2016)

It was his third studio album, the one that Frankie Ballard wanted to break new musical ground with in 2016. "It's a new sound I've been trying to discover for a long time," he said prior to the release during an interview at Warner Music headquarters in Nashville. "I think country music needs this sound. It’s getting back to musicianship and great songs."

But the ambitious project "El Rio" undeservedly became a commercial fiasco and after 3 disappointing singles is also brought the premature end of the a very promising career start for Frankie Ballard, who had scored 3 number 1 hits on the radio (Billboard Country Airplay) chart with his previous album.

Although the Michigan-born musician could be seen live on a pretty constant basis during the following years, he had completely vanished commercially.

It was only on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of his hit album "Sunshine & Whiskey" from 2014 that Frankie Ballard unexpectedly spoke out again on social media in November of 2024: "What can I say, it has been quite some time since I last put out some music, but, boy, does it feel good to finally be here and say that the 'Dirty Church Clothes' - EP -3 songs- for your listening pleasure is out now. So go and check it out and let me know what you think. And stay tuned, because there is a lot more to come."

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Sonically, the three songs sound a little like a continuation of "El Rio". They fit somewhere between country, gospel, blues and rok'n'roll, as his Homepage tries to describe them. "I thought, I'm just going to make a record that I want to make, one that sounds like the music I fell in love with when I first started playing guitar." Frankie Ballard adds.

At the same time believe and faith suddenly seem to have become central elements, with Frankie Ballard's Instagram page giving the impression that he has turned an enlightened preacher who can effortlessly quote from the bible.

In 'Dirty Church Clothes' he emphasizes that it is not about appearance as long as the inner believe is there:

Now I'm catchin' looks when they're passin' the plate,
uh, worse than things they'd never say to my face.
I know they want me in a black suit and tie,

[but] they can dress me how they want on the day that I die.
(Dirty Church Clothes / Frankie Ballard, Tyler Bryant, Caleb Crosby) 

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A fourth new song ('Cussin' In My Prayers'), released on January 17, 2025, also feels gospel-themed when dealing with how to converse with God in difficult times:

Now I still bow my head, ask forgiveness for my sin,
'cause you know damn well I have come unhinged.
But at least I'm hitting my knees, yeah, I'm still checking in.
This life has got me cussing in my prayers again.
(Cussin' In My Prayers / Frankie Ballard, Tyer Bryant)

Frankie Ballard wrote all 4 songs with rock musician Tyler Bryant, who is known as Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown. But also because he is married to Rebecca Lovell, the lead singer of Americana-Blues duo Larkin Poe. At the same time, he produced Frankie Ballard 's new music and released it on his own label Rattle Shake Records.

Reason enough that Rebecca Lovell can be heard as a subtle background voice on 'Cussin In My Prayers' and can also be seen in the accompanying video. Unfortunately, far too subtle.

It is not fully clear yet where Frankie Ballard wants to take us with his new music, especially thematically. But one thing is for certain: musically, he has not forgotten anything, and at the age of 42 he has probably added some wisdom over the past 10 years.