Chances are very good that if you are from Macon County and haven’t been living under a rock for nearly the last 50 years, you have heard of Southern Image and probably seen their sign that reads ‘Southern Image, great country and southern Rock’. The band officially began in 1980, and is still performing, with a few performances coming up this year. Lead vocalist Keith Ballou shares some background and information on upcoming shows.
“I would consider us a country band, but we do cover music from George Jones all the way to ZZ Top,” said Ballou. “Some of our favorites to cover are Alabama, George Strait, Alan Jackson, and those types. Our sign was made by a guy called Lucky Cowboy; he promotes country music and has promoted us for years. If you went to parties and shows around the Nashville area, you saw him, and he was always wearing a big orange foam hat. You can still find him on social media promoting country music.”
Looking back, Ballou recalls the origin of Southern Image.
“We all began playing together in 1979,” said Ballou. “We were initially called The Chaparral. We were a 10-piece band. We had six musicians and four singers. We were kind of like the oak ridge Boys or The Statler Brothers. There was a lot of harmony going on in our music in the beginning. As for the musicians, three, not including me, are in Southern Image. Our piano player quit around 10 months ago, and we really miss him being part of this. He had been with us 25 years. He was the youngest out of the bunch. The lead guitar, bass guitar, drummer, and myself are the original four that started it all.”
“We changed our name to Southern Image in 1980,” said Ballou. “We decided to do so due to the places and music we began playing. We were getting into a bit more traditional southern country and rock and our image just changed. It has worked out well for us ever since.”
Ballou recalled some highlights for the band.
“We have had the privilege of opening and sharing the stage with so many people,” said Ballou. “Diane Davis, who everybody around here remembers, sang with us for about a year or so. She actually signed with a label.”
Ballou shared his affinity for music on a deeper level.
“I always tell people that you would never regret learning how to play an instrument of any kind,” said Ballou. “Even if you aren’t great at it, playing an instrument can help you through even the darkest of times in life.”
Southern Image will be appearing at a few area events in the near future.
“Chris Dyer reached out about playing the Gallatin fair this year, so we will be playing that July 17 and go on around 7pm. We also play The Macon County fair on Aug. 1, at the Martha Wilburn Building and go on around 6:30 or 7 p.m. We play at the Donoho in Red Boiling Springs on Aug. 22, and 23. Those times are 7pm to 9pm for both nights. We are looking forward to it and to seeing everyone come out and enjoying what we do.”
When asked to describe the essence of the band, Ballou had a final and simple answer. “Southern Image is not one person; we are all equal in this and would not be what we are without any one of us," he said.
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