Break the Grey

About

Billy Ballenger was born February 15, 1969 in Franklin, Indiana. He spent the majority of his young life fighting authority and digging himself into a deep pit without the prospect of escape. His birth parents relatively absent from his life, a troubled childhood began. Being bullied at school on an almost daily basis cut Billy's fuse short and he began to push back, becoming violent and disorderly. Early uses of drugs and alcohol propelled him into a downward spiral that eventually led to him buying and selling drugs. As a teenager, he began to systematically dismantle his life piece by piece. Running away from home was the least extreme thing he did during this season of his life. His exodus from the safety of his adoptive parents and into a rebellious environment eventually lead him to juvenile placement at White's Residential and Family Services in Wabash Indiana. It was at Whites where Billy would meet his future wife, Jodie. Both were leading unhealthy lives stacked against the law and eventually fell in love. By age 18, Billy Ballenger was a teenage father and husband sprinting down a corrupt path. He was involved in the teenage party lifestyle, dangerous crimes, and violence.

On September 12, 1988, Billy's lifestyle came to an abrupt end. He and his new wife Jodie had just used the last of their stash of drugs and Billy thought a bath sounded like a good idea. But instead of a relaxing soak, what Billy got was an unwelcome surprise. A SWAT team raided his and Jodie's home, having been dispatched to apprehend Billy for his involvement in the recent violence and burglaries in the area. Still soaking wet, Billy was grabbed and thrown against the wall with the barrel of a 12-gauge pump shotgun pressed against his head. Billy and Jodie were arrested and their young 9 month old daughter Mindy was taken from them. The dismantling of his life was complete. Separated from his wife and his daughter taken from him, Billy would now be looking at the remnants of a wasted life from behind the bars of 4 different prisons. Billy and Jodie were sentenced to 6 years each in the Indiana Department of Corrections.

Faced with the pieces of his life strewn out before him, Billy made a promise to change. Vowing to clean up, he tried tirelessly to gain freedom from prison for himself and Jodie. After another failure in a long string of legal rejections, a judge told Billy to stop asking to get out of prison early. Amazingly, less than 2 months after the Ballengers were told by the court to stop wasting their time trying to get an early release, the judge had a sudden, unexplainable change of heart. Both Billy and Jodie were released from prison one year early. What's more, their daughter Mindy was returned to them with no strings attached. It was nothing less than a modern day miracle. And the Ballengers stood fast to the vow Billy made in prison.

Billy finds purpose in life by helping young people who have dug themselves into the same hopeless pit he found himself in. With a vision for helping others get off drugs and alcohol, Billy shares his story through his many speaking opportunities.

He also finds ways of sharing hope through his music. As a singer-songwriter Billy Ballenger's passion for music came as a young boy living in Taylorsville, Indiana in the late 1970's. It was there he remembers playing old Beatles and Beach Boys records while he slept in order to memorize the lyrics and be able to sing them on his own. Several years after Billy was released from prison his music finally developed into a professional carrier and has led to performances Internationally in China, Russia, the United States and on international television. This has allowed Billy to share his story with millions of people around the world.

After the release of several Cd's his passions eventually came to a head and combined into an organization now called "Break the Grey". Break the Grey tours public schools providing character development assemblies, culminating in high-energy pop/rock concert productions sponsored by local communities wanting to bring hope to today's youth. Since it's beginning in 2005 BTG has exploded. It's grown exponentially, developing a national reach, with an influence across the United States. In 2010, Break the Grey launched an internship program, training young people on how to guide their peers toward a healthier style of living.

Billy Ballenger hasn't had a drop of alcohol or touched an illegal drug since his arrest in 1988. His relationship with his wife is stronger than ever before. His organization is thriving and his music is finding ever-growing success. But more than any of this, Billy is rewarded most when a student comes to him and says, "Thank you for changing my life." And it's this that Billy hopes to hear from every young person searching for help in the public schools all across America.

Personnel

Billy Ballenger: President/Founder/Speaker/Singer
Jodie Ballenger: Vice President/Co-founder
Valerie Norton: National Director of Operations/Event Manager
Priscilla Hamlin: Communications Specialist
Amy Withrow: Director of Internship
Becky Armor: Assistant Intern Director
Jon Childress: Intern
Tiffany Clark: intern
Mikayla Allaback: Intern
Lexi Clow: Intern
Moriah England: Intern
Tena Marsilio: Field Manager
Cindy Eckhardt: Field Manager
Jackie Keiser: Field Manager
Jen Koning: Field Manager
Brad Gemberling: Lead Guitarist for Ballenger
Joey Bendele: Drummer for Ballenger
Chase Reagan: Bassist for Ballenger
Erynn Gemberling: Photographer

Influences

Elvis Presley, The Paper Tongues, Matt Kearney, Train, Rich Mullins, Petra, Carmen, Newsboys, John Mayer

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 45 - 120 minutes

Bill Ballenger can perform in concerts with his band BALLENGER in any kind of setting. Big Concert venues, or community events, TV, Radio, and huge Festivals and events. They have their own sound and light company that travels with them, or you can choose an unplugged version for a calmer set. Ballenger is a pop rock genre, but can Bill Ballenger can sing anything. He does Praise and Worship sets as well.

Bill Ballenger is also a motivational speaker who speaks in a secular setting in public schools across America. He comes into the schools with a crew of college age interns who set up the multi-media presentation (with screens, projectors and back drops) and they perform skits and speak. This end of the organization is called BREAK THE GREY. We do single assemblies, clusters of assemblies, or big events that last a week, with up to 12 assemblies that end in a huge rock concert. These assemblies challenge students to make healthy choices in the areas of substance abuse, bullying, academics, cutting, gangs, and helps them understand their personal worth.
Bill will also schedule individual speaking engagements. He has appeared on Television shows, been on radio, and has 6 CD's to his credit, and is working on his 7th. He has two music videos. Bill also speaks in area churches and youth groups.

Stage/Setup Requirements:
Contact Val Norton, Director of Operations for details. 269-601-8785/ValBTG@aol.com

Additional Notes:
Midwest Sound travels with Break the Grey and Ballenger conducting light and sound. Ballenger will do an acoustical set, however, or an unplugged set. When doing Break the Grey big event weeks, with the big concert at the end of the week, Midwest literally builds the entire stage in the gym of a local High School. This is a big light and sound show and will please the students in any school.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
Contact Val Norton, National Director of Operations, for details. 269-601-8785 / ValBTG@aol.com

Performance Schedule

Past Booked Dates:

11-16-2012 — Break the Grey Banquet
11-15-2012 — Ballenger Concert
11-15-2012 — Assemblies in Plymouth, IN
11-14-2012 — Assemblies in Plymouth, IN
11-13-2012 — Assemblies in Plymouth, IN
11-12-2012 — Assemblies in Plymouth, IN
11-11-2012 — Cornerstone Community Fellowship
11-02-2012 — BTG Banquet - Indian Lake Banquet & Conference Facility
11-01-2012 — Assembly in Vicksburg, Mi
11-01-2012 — Big Event Ballenger Concert, Vicksburg High School, Vicksburg, Mi
10-31-2012 — Assemblies in Kalamazoo, Mi
10-30-2012 — Assemblies in Schoolcraft, Mi
10-29-2012 — Assemblies in Portage, Mi
10-28-2012 — Chapman Memorial Nazarene Church 9:30 am & 11 am, Vicksburg, Mi
10-26-2012 — Billye Brimm Conference
10-25-2012 — Billye Brimm Conference
10-24-2012 — Billye Brimm Conference
10-23-2012 — Branson, MO
10-23-2012 — Branson, MO Radio Interview
10-22-2012 — Branson, MO
10-18-2012 — Assembly at Eastbrook High School, Marion, IN
10-14-2012 — Speak at New Philadelphia 1st AOG, New Philly, OH
10-13-2012 — Follow Up Concert Dover, OH
10-11-2012 — Speaking at ROOTS Youth Group, Paw Paw, Mi
10-05-2012 — TCT WINM TV INTERVIEW, Fort Wayne, IN
10-05-2012 — TCT WITV Interview
10-03-2012 — Meetings/Speaking in Marion, IN
09-23-2012 — Gull Lake Area Community Church, Richland, Mi
09-20-2012 — BTG At ROOTS Youth Group, Paw Paw, Mi
09-18-2012 — Gull Lake High School, and Middle School Assemblies
09-16-2012 — New Hope Community Church, Richland, Mi 10:30 am
09-14-2012 — Banquet at Dutch Valley, New Philadelphia, OH
09-13-2012 — Concert in Dover, OH at Dover High School
09-12-2012 — Garaway High School & Middle School Assemblies
09-12-2012 — assemblies in Tascarawas County, Ohio
09-11-2012 — assemblies in Tascarawas County, Ohio
09-10-2012 — Assemblies in Tascarawas County, Ohio
09-09-2012 — New Life COG - speaking/singing 10 am
09-08-2012 — Ballenger Concert - Marion, IN
09-07-2012 — Assembly at Lakeview Christian School, Marion, IN
09-05-2012 — Ballenger Concert - Life Bridge Church, Fort Wayne, IN
09-03-2012 — Dani Johnson, Next Generation, Radio/Conference Call Interview
09-01-2012 — BTG Open House at Headquarters, Fort Wayne, IN
12-16-2011 — Banquet 6:30 - 8:30 pm
12-15-2011 — Otsego area school assemblies; Ballenger Concert - Otsego HS - 7- 9 pm
12-14-2011 — Otsego, Michigan area school assemblies (3)
12-13-2011 — Otsego, Mi, area school assemblies (3)
12-12-2011 — Otsego, Michigan, Area Assemblies (3)
12-11-2011 — Otsego Church
12-02-2011 — Banquet in Morristown, Tenn
12-01-2011 — Morristown, Tenn, school assembly; Ballenger Concert 7-9 pm
11-30-2011 — Morristown, Tenn school assemblies (2)
11-29-2011 — Morristown, Tennessee area school assemblies (2)
11-28-2011 — Morristown, Tennesee area school assemblies (3)
11-27-2011 — Morristown Church
11-17-2011 — Three Rivers HS & Middle School assemblies; Ballenger Concert at Three Rivers HS - 7-9pm
11-16-2011 — Three Rivers, Michigan, area school assemblies (3)
11-15-2011 — Three Rivers, Michigan, area school assemblies (3)
11-14-2011 — Three Rivers, Michigan, area school assemblies (3)
11-13-2011 — Three Rivers Church
10-28-2011 — Banquet - Nappanee, Indiana 6:30-8:30 pm
10-27-2011 — 2 Assemblies in Nappanee, Indiana, big concert (Ballenger) 7- 9pm
10-26-2011 — Assemblies in Nappanee, Indiana
10-25-2011 — Assemblies in Napanee, Indiana Schools
10-24-2011 — Assemblies in Napanee, Indiana
10-16-2011 — Marantha Fellowship Church, Nappanee, Indiana
09-29-2011 — Morristown, Tenn assembly; Ballenger Concert - 7-9pm
09-28-2011 — Morristown, Tenn, school assemblies (2)
09-21-2011 — Assemblies in schools in Nappanee, Indiana
09-16-2011 — Banquet in Hickory Corners, Michigan at W.K. Kellogg Manor House 6:30- 8:30 pm
09-15-2011 — Assemblies- Gull Lake High School, Gull Lake Middle School, Big Concert (Ballenger) at Gull Lake HS, 7-9pm
09-14-2011 — Assemblies- Galesburg Augusta HS & Middle school, Climax Scotts HS & MS, Alternative Ed
09-13-2011 — Assemblies at Comstock High School, Comstock Compass School, & Northeast Middle School,Comstock Mi
09-12-2011 — Assembly at Battle Creek Youth Challenge Academyy
09-11-2011 — Gull Lake Area Community Church

Experience

2006: 100 gigs
2007: 150 gigs
2008: 120 gigs
2009: 200 gigs
2010: 300 gigs
2011: 475 gigs

Available for Your

Awards Night, Church Service, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Cruise, Funeral Service, Holiday Party, Other, Religious Celebration, Retreat, Seminar, Sporting Event, Workshop