Daniel Ballinger wants nothing more in life than to play and sing the Mississippi Delta blues.

"I love the blues and the blues are me," said the 16-year-old Clayton High student, unable to control his enthusiasm. "The blues hit where my soul is. It feels so natural. I just love it."

Every spare moment of Daniel’s life is spent honing his talent. Seldom is he without a guitar in his hands and a song on his lips.

So far, his devotion has paid off. He placed second in Triangle Blues Society and Charlotte Blues Society competitions held earlier this year, and was an opening act at the Peter, Paul and Mary concert held at the Alltel Pavilion in July.

An upcoming Eagle Scout in Garner Troop 323, Daniel began playing the guitar two and a half years ago, and began performing live last November at open-mike nights at various Triangle establishments, including Garner’s Club House Restaurant. He has performed live on Shaw University’s radio station, WSHA 88.9, and has traveled to Mississippi and Tennessee, where he had the opportunity to play with other street musicians on Beale Street in Memphis.

He has met several blues masters, and counts Bob Margolin, a former member of Muddy Waters’ band, as one of his friends.

"On Beale Street you can play for hours at a time," Daniel said. "I opened up my guitar case and people were throwing money in. It was like something you would see in a movie. I didn’t think anything like that went on any more."

Daniel has developed a following in Wake and Johnston counties, but perhaps his biggest fan is his grandfather, Mack Ballinger of Garner, who is constantly updating a scrapbook of Daniel’s performances and accomplishments.

His up-and-coming career has been a family event, including both his mother’s and father’s family. According to Daniel’s father Jimmy Ballinger, Daniel’s mother, Darlene Kramer of Holly Springs, gave Daniel the push that he needed to pursue his goals.

Daniel’s first love was 1950s rock. He styled himself after Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis, but found himself hooked on the blues after watching "Crossroads," a movie in which a teen befriends an elderly blues genius.

"That harmonica sent chills all over me," said Daniel. "I said ‘That’s the blues right there.’ It just hit me when that harmonica started playing. I said, ‘That’s what I want to do right there for the rest of my life.’"

"Daniel’s always been an extremist with everything," said his father, who lives in Clayton. "He’s always done things 110 percent."

"I can feel the music 210 percent," Daniel said.

Daniel writes his own songs and performs songs of others. He prefers traditional blues, playing solo with an acoustic guitar, over contemporary styles that use electric guitars. He also plays the piano and harmonica.

"[He is a] very impressive blues man," one fan wrote after hearing Daniel perform at the North Carolina State Fair. "I am looking forward to a CD by this young man. I will certainly buy it!"

"I think a lot of Daniel’s life reflects in his music," said Jimmy, referring to his own health problems, his divorce from Daniel’s mother, and learning to live with new siblings.

"The best part about this is he’s able to make money and enjoy what he’s doing. The biggest problem I have with Daniel is he won’t play the songs I like enough."

Daniel attended Aversboro Elementary and East Garner Middle schools before transferring to Clayton.

"We never could keep him still in school, but this is one time we don’t have to keep him still," his dad said.