From Prison to Praise: How Billy Ballenger’s Music is Inspiring Millions and Changing Lives

Billy Ballenger’s life story is nothing short of a cinematic script, and his music is driven by his desire to speak for the voiceless and inspire those who have a voice. He discovered his love for music at a young age while growing up in Indiana, but his childhood was marred by bullying and other difficulties that led him down a path of bad decisions and consequences. As a teenager, he married and became a father, but he also engaged in substance abuse, violence, and burglary.

His life took a dramatic turn when a SWAT team raided his home, resulting in him and his wife, Jodie, being sentenced to six years in prison and losing custody of their daughter. Before going to prison, Billy started attending church and re-committed his life to Christ. While incarcerated, he studied the Bible and grew in his faith, and after two years, he and Jodie were miraculously released early and reunited with their daughter.

Today, Billy’s journey fuels his passion for sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with audiences around the world, including places like Russia, China, and various venues worldwide. His non-profit organization, Break the Grey Inc., has performed at hundreds of public schools across the Midwest and parts of Canada, and he has shared his testimony and music with over 500,000 listeners at festivals, conferences, churches, camps, and other venues. In 2020, he joined the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular lineup, performing in 31 arenas across the country.

Billy has released several recordings, including six full-length albums and two EPs, including “Walking on Waves” in 2020 and “Tree and the Nails” in 2021. He has also released several singles in 2022, such as “Mercy,” “I Believe it,” “Close to You,” and more. His story has been featured in various leading media outlets, such as the 700 Club, Life Today, 100 Huntley Street, “Weathering the Storm” with Ryan Stevenson, and Home Life Magazine.

With God’s guidance Billy continues to accept opportunities to expand his outreach and reflect the hope of Jesus Christ through his music and speaking.