Daniel Ballinger, Bluesman - Article from the News & Observer

By DAVID MENCONI

Clayton's Daniel Ballinger had a road-to-Damascus musical experience two years ago, when he saw the movie "Crossroads" (Walter Hill's 1986 riff on the Robert Johnson blues legend). The film starts with a bluesy harmonica run during the opening credits, and that's all it took.

"I heard that and knew, that's what I wanted to do," says Daniel, who is still in the process of transforming himself from blues prodigy to bluesman. He's only 17, but he recently won first place in the traditional blues category of the Triangle Blues Society's annual talent search. He plays with such old-time blues legends as Algia Mae Hinton and John Dee Holman every chance he gets, mostly solo but also as part of his band, Reverend Slick's Barbecue.

You should catch Daniel while you can. After he graduates from high school, Daniel plans to move to Mississippi, Johnson's old stomping grounds. Mississippi, he says, is "where the blues are still alive."

PEOPLE TO WATCH IN THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Now that the old year has ended, we can stop looking back and instead cast our glance at what's arriving. Or, to be more precise, who's arriving. At the end of 2001, The News & Observer's arts critics thought back on all the potential they had seen in a stellar season, then came up with a list of people they expect to go further in 2002. Some we believe to be on the verge of career breakthroughs or becoming more widely known. Two are in their teens and already dazzling enough to turn heads. All of them are growing artistically.

There are no guarantees with a list like this. But it's a good bet that these artists are headed someplace worth going.