Photo: Courtesy of Alligator Records
Texas Roots and Blues Singer, Songwriter and Pianist Marcia Ball Announces Retirement From Touring
On Tuesday, October 28, celebrated five-time GRAMMY Award nominated artist Marcia Ball announced she will be retiring from touring and performing. Recently diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Ball will spend time in treatment and under doctor’s care. Ever a music fan, Ball assures her fans she’ll be “out listening to music every chance I get.”
Read Ball’s full statement below:
As many of you may know or have heard, over recent months, I have been struggling with voice issues and have not been able to perform as I have always done. This has been frustrating for me since performing with my band and my musical friends has been my life.
So, I must now share this with my fans and friends: I had a visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN recently, and I have finally received some answers, though not the ones I had hoped for. I have ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), and I need to share that with my family, friends, fans and many music collaborators and associates.
The support I have received from Kurland, my booking agency, my record label, Alligator Records, all the hundreds of venues I have played at over the decades along with the thousands of fans I have met and become friends with over so many years has been a real joy.
It is impossible to predict how this ALS diagnosis will impact my life fully. At this early stage however, I know that performing is something I can no longer do. I can’t sing.
Sadly, I have canceled all the shows I had confirmed for the foreseeable future. The absolute last thing I want to do is to cancel shows. My sincere apologies.
I will be entering a treatment program at UT San Antonio, and I am hopeful that the progression of symptoms is slow to appear. ALS has no known cure at this time, but there are a few drugs that may be prescribed.
My family, circle of friends, and band mates are providing me support as this news sinks in. Adjustments will be necessary but one thing that won’t change is my love and support for the music community, and you can be sure I will be out listening to music every chance I get.
Thank you for your understanding and allowing me the time and space I need to make these unexpected life adjustments.
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Orange, Texas in 1949 to a family whose female members all played piano, Ball grew up in the small town of Vinton, Louisiana, right across the border from Texas. Seeing an Irma Thomas performance in 1962 and falling under the spell of Professor Longhair’s piano playing convinced Ball to seek out a career in music. She led a couple of early psychedelic country rock bands before pursuing her solo career from her adopted hometown of Austin, Texas.
After her 1978 Capitol Records debut, Circuit Queen, and a series of successful albums on Rounder Records, Ball joined Alligator in 2001. Altogether she’s won eleven Blues Music Awards, fourteen Living Blues Awards, and received five GRAMMY Award nominations. She has been inducted into the Gulf Coast Music Hall Of Fame, the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame and the Austin City Limits Hall Of Fame. The Texas State legislature named her the official 2018 Texas State Musician. As her hometown Austin Chronicle says, “What’s not to like about Marcia Ball?”
Ball’s albums are filled with fresh, original songs, as she easily draws her listeners deep into her music with instantly memorable melodies and imaginative imagery. Her songs paint vibrant musical pictures richly detailed with recognizable characters, regional flavors, universal themes and colorful scenes, both real and imagined. Living Blues declares, “Her originals sound like timeless classics and southern soul masterpieces that no one else can imitate.”
The Boston Globe calls Ball “a compelling storyteller” who plays “an irresistible, celebratory blend of rollicking New Orleans piano, Louisiana swamp rock and smoldering Texas blues.” The New York Times says, “Marcia Ball plays two-fisted New Orleans barrelhouse piano and sings in a husky, knowing voice about all the trouble men and women can get into on the way to a good time.” The Houston Chronicle says simply, “She’s as perfect as an artist can be.”
Marcia Ball website
Love Marcia Ball’s music! Love and prayers!
why don’t i see this announcement anywhere?
Alligator Records sent it out. I received the announcement. Maybe it’s in their site.
Marcia many thanks for the absolute joy you have given to so many. Prayers for you and wishing for the best possible outcome.
Marcia, as a fellow human (and pianist) I am sending thanks for sharing your talents with us all of these years. I’ll be praying and sending you wishes for all good things.
Dear Marcia, You are the absolute best & an example to us all, as a human being, a class act, as well as your music and all it means to us! Thank you for sharing your news with honesty and directness. You are in my thoughts and heart. Much love, as ever, Marian (Leighton Levy)
Beyond sorry, Marcia! Prayers and hugs from Greeley, Colorado! ❤️
Sending hugs and prayers for a successful treatment program, as you battle against this dreadful disease
So sorry to hear this news Marcia. Thank you for entertaining us for so long with your fantastic piano playing and singing. You’ve brought to to so many. Thinking of you and sending prayers for you. ❤️❤️
Marcia, Thank you for being you. Looking forward to having you around for awhile longer. Best wishes.
We’re Jazzfesters and have been enjoying you for 25 years! We even watched a show you did in a circle cruise from NY. Hopefully you’ll be able to bring some of your talents out in another way. Maybe helping young talent with all your experience? Maybe a book? (Peace ,Love,and barbecue for a name). We will really miss you Marsha. Maybe you will have a good spell and maybe a show or 2. Thank you Marsha for all the fun!!
You have spread so much joy over the years. I have seen you perform countless times, always exceptional! I have played your music many more times as a Community Radio DJ in Tampa, Florida and will continue to do so!
Take time for yourself and to concentrate on adjusting to this life change and “Don’t let nobody drag your spirit down “. Sending so much love and strength to you to face this head on and fill your heart with love, grace and music. We are heartbroken.
So sad. Such a great mentor to Carolyn, Shelly and Ruthie.
Been loving you since Freda & the Firedogs and I will never stop. You are blessed and well loved dear one.
For a fellow classmate and lifelong friend, love you always. Praying for you.
Sending you loving thoughts and prayers
A stunning performer ! Praying for a peaceful outcome .
Thanks for the tons of music and inspiration! It means SO much! But your journey is far from over. As this next chapter unfolds, please continue to exude the positivity and good intent that you always have. Your rewards will multiply.
I cried. Though it’s been a very long time since you’ve been to my town, I cherish the memories. Pax Christi.
I was a college student in Austin in the 1970s and Marcia Ball was a big part of the music scene there in that era. She could be seen and heard in the popular venues of the day year round. I really enjoyed her keyboard and vocal talents. Best wishes to her.
Marcia. Love your music. Never miss a concert when you perform in my area. Your genuineness is special.
Love, prayers and a BIG THANK YOU.
My husband and I have always loved your music and send you much love and gratitude for the beauty and happiness you gave us and so many people through your music.
Love her music , love her energy , only Marsha could make that piano talk. Marsha I always looked up to you . You taught me cheers for cheerleader try outs . Prayers for you , Lord look upon Marsha with the eyes of your mercy
Last year, my 68-year-old partner was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease also known as ALS. Speaking and swallowing were two of his challenges. His collapse was swift and catastrophic, and neither the riluzole nor the medical staff did much to aid him., so in July he had the ALS/MND formula, and it changed everything. Within 2 months, he can walk and swallow again! We feel very fortunate to have learned about the Limitless Herb Center ALS/MND herb formula. We got the ALS/MND protocol from ww w. limitless health center . c om