Meet Karen Ballew | Singer, Songwriter, Harpist, & Music Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karen Ballew and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen, why did you pursue a creative career?
This May will be my 20-year high school reunion, but when I look back to this time, I see my first choice in pursuing an artistic career. I devoted a lot of time to studying, and I particularly loved history and literature; however, I also loved participating in my school’s theatre productions and singing with the concert and show choirs. After graduating, I chose to pursue a degree in music because, for me, art and music was a meeting place of all the things I loved. In choir, we sang songs from other cultures and in different languages, we learned about historical events through folk songs and the composers whose works were influenced by them, and music was also math and science with sound waves, rhythm, and intervals! Art is the lived expression of all these things.

Moving to Nashville in 2017 was another stage of growth for me as I was greatly inspired by the songwriting scene and began writing more original music, lyrics, and reflections.

I also love teaching music, which is in itself an art form of nurturing and encouragement. It is a joy to see students access their innate abilities and create something extraordinarily beautiful that is uniquely them! I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to share in someone else’s artistic journey, and I’m thankful for all the teachers who led me to where I am today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am just one amongst many artists who seek to share truth and beauty through art. I love this quote from American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham: “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.”

I think the challenge we all face as artists is distraction and discouragement. We have experiences and truths laid on our hearts that beckon us to contemplate, create, and share. Of course, it can be difficult to tune in and listen to these things. We have a 24-hour influx of news and social media–it’s a lot to take in and process. What I’m gradually learning is to be more intentional about setting aside time for prayer and listening. When I do this, the daily tasks and all the stimulation are held in better balance. I’m able to reflect and create art despite the chaos. And I suppose chaos itself is a great motivator of art. According to my favorite author, Madeleine L’Engle, art is the divine expression of cosmos (a harmonious universe)!

I’m also continuing to write and record songs with my band The Deer’s Cry! We will be performing a concert at Temple Theatre in Portland, Tennessee on Sunday, May 19th at 3 pm. I will be joined by my wonderful artist friends Cherish Hamby (vocals), Amberly Rosen Hoins (fiddle), Kyle Jones (percussion), and Caleb Yang (cello)! I’m excited to continue working with my cousin Madison Thames as she creates original artwork for our music and my husband Brad Ballew who films our music videos!

I’m deeply grateful for the awards and nominations The Deer’s Cry has received. Our song “Rise with the Dawn” was an honorable mention winner in the 28th Annual USA Songwriting Competition, “Morning Light” was a finalist in the 19th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards, and we recently found out that our song “Oh Blessed Light” was nominated as a finalist in the 20th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards!

In May, I’ll be hosting a concert for my singing students through the Nashville Irish Music School. They will be singing solos in the Irish language, Welsh, and English as well as some group singing!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think I would have trouble narrowing down which places to choose! For live music, I love the Grand Ole Opry experience, the Station Inn, Rudy’s Jazz Room, Bluegrass Wednesdays at American Legion Post 82, and the Irish music session at Homegrown Taproom & Kitchen in Donelson. I’d also love to take my friend to a rehearsal with the Nashville International Folk Dancers– They’re such a welcoming group! If my friend wanted to go on Broadway, I’d take them to Acme Feed & Seed and then we could walk along the pedestrian bridge.

There are also some wonderful museums I would like to take them to like the National Museum of African American Music, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Johnny Cash Museum, and of course I’d take them to the historic Ryman Auditorium!

Monell’s in Germantown is a fun place for breakfast, Jeni’s Icecreams is great for desert, and if you’re looking for a place to eat before going to the Opry, I really love Bavarian Bierhaus in Opry Mills Mall! It is locally and veteran owned and operated, and it has a menu of authentic German food, live music, and a joyful atmosphere. Another great place to eat and hear amazing live music is Plaza Mariachi! It’s one of my favorite places!

In between listening to music, eating, and museums, it would be wonderful to walk through Radnor Lake State Park or Long Hunter State Park. They are beautiful! Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is very beautiful as well.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my youth chorus director Betty Karol Wilson and voice teacher Richard Burke! I grew up in Abilene, Texas, and Dr. Betty Karol Wilson directed the Classical Youth Chorus of Abilene. She is such an inspirational teacher! I joined the choir at 9 years old and sang with the group for seven years. Singing together is a remarkable experience, and through that, Betty Karol taught us how to listen to and respect one another, work as a team, and approach challenging music with joy and enthusiasm. She never put limitations on us, but instead approached the learning process with dedication, hard work, wonder, and possibility. We enjoyed singing songs from different time periods and cultures– Betty Karol is the one who planted the seed for my interest in languages and culture!

I started taking private voice lessons from Richard Burke when I was 14 years old. I was a bit of an anxious and shy preteen, but Richard patiently guided me into becoming more confident. He taught me how to project my voice and put my all into a song! I would always come to lessons worried about something that happened at school that day. Music was a time to let all of that go, a time to tap into something bigger than myself and my immediate circumstances. Richard taught me that. He showed me what singing was really about! It wasn’t about being perfect or impressing people. It was an act of service, an act of worship. It was my chance to receive something beautiful from the Universe and to share it with others. It was my chance to be a vessel for God’s love and light. Now when I sing, I let go.

Website: https://www.thedeerscry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedeerscryband/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedeerscryband/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvr3cS-YXq8SyRAcB8g7vJg

Image Credits
Barbara Potter Photography Madison Thames Brad Ballew