Erin Stevens’ Younger Perspective on Chad McCloskey of the Ball Brothers

A word from Erin…

Today, we turn our attention to one of the most underrated and incredibly talented young men in our industry. Chad McCloskey masterfully fills the baritone position for the Ball Brothers. Aside from the strong vocal abilities the Lord has blessed him with, what matters most is his soft-spoken manner and tender spirit, which is noticeable the moment you meet him. Whether you’ve been a faithful Ball Brothers fan for years, or if you’re newer to their music, this is your chance to get to know Chad a little better.

Erin: Being born in Wisconsin and growing up in Michigan, what did those early days look like once you discovered your love of singing? 

Chad: I come from a very musical family. My dad was the music director at our church, and my mom was heavily involved with various musical outlets such as choir, ensembles, and church specials. Growing up, I was fairly shy musically. I wasn’t particularly fond of the idea of standing up in front of people for anything, let alone to sing. As I got older, I was given somewhat of an ultimatum when it came to music. It was either sing or nothing, so I chose to sing. Once I got over my apprehension of crowds and my incessant fear of critique, I grew to love singing and jumped at the chance to sing whenever an opportunity presented itself. Fast forward 20 years, I now sing for a living, and I love what I do.

Erin: How did you and your wife Sarah meet?

Chad: I’ve actually known Sarah since I was around 10 years old. Her family, while in evangelism, used to come to our church and sing, and my family would occasionally take them out to eat while they were in town. We lost contact over the years, but in 2006, (we) reconnected at the church her dad was pastoring when my family went into evangelism. 

Erin: An early congratulations on the newest addition to your family coming soon. How do you personally juggle being a gospel singer, a husband, and a father to Brooklyn and Mason?

Chad: Thank you. We are excited about the new addition. When it comes to juggling family and work, I find it prudent to keep the two separate. When I’m at home, I always try to focus on my family’s needs above anything else. We have dinner around the table every night and try, if we can, to do an activity together any chance we get. When I’m traveling, I try to focus on the task at hand to ensure I do my job accurately and efficiently, but at the end of the day, I always call home to check in on everyone. Fortunately, with the development in technology, staying in touch with my family while I’m away is pretty easy. 

 

Erin: What are some new and exciting happenings the fans can be expecting from the Ball Brothers for the last half of this year?

Chad: We are currently working on a couple different projects. We have been in the studio working on a new Christmas album. We’re hoping to have it finished and out this year. We are also getting ideas together for some music videos we are hoping to shoot later in the year. 

Erin: With the Ball Brothers’ incredible internet success, how has it impacted your ministry and opened new doors of opportunity?

Chad: The impact from our online success has been substantial at the very least. With the change in the market, almost anything can be accessed online, so we see it as beneficial to cater to that outlet more. Since the views on the Ball Brothers’ Facebook videos have skyrocketed over the last few years, we’ve seen immense growth in our fan base, as well as concert dates. God has truly blessed our ministry and we are so humbled by everything He has done for our group.

Erin: The jazzy, Michael Bublé-influenced tones to your voice are obvious to the listener. Besides him, who else are some of your top musical influences, and who would you normally be listening to?

Chad: I have a pretty wide range of music that I enjoy. I grew up listening to the Gaither Vocal Band, so they are an absolute must in my musical lineup. But I love groups from Journey to MercyMe to the Mullins. Some of the more singular influences would include Marshall Hall, Stevie Wonder, David Phelps, Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra, and Bryan Duncan.                                                                                        

Erin: What’s the strangest thing a fan has ever said to you?

Chad: Where to start? While I was dating my wife, I had a man approach me after a concert asking if I would be interested in his daughter. After I told him I was already dating someone, he quickly took the defense and came behind the product table, got in my face and very angrily asked why I thought his daughter was ugly. I just slowly backed into the crowd in a desperate attempt to get away. Who does that?

 

Erin: Favorite food on the road/favorite food at home?

Chad: Mexican food. It’s a favorite at home and on the road.

Erin: Is there a particular song you sing night after night on stage that has a profound, personal impact on your heart?

Chad: The song “It’s About the Cross” is a definite favorite of mine. The message of the song to me is too penetrating to ignore. It’s an unbelievable and humbling thought that a sinless, perfect Jesus willingly laid down His life for mine. 

Erin: It’s true that music speaks when words fall short. But after all the songs have been sung, how would you encourage that listener out there who has come to the end of their rope?

Chad: I know this sounds cliché – and we hear it all the time – but the most comforting thing to me when I’m at my weakest is prayer. We may not have all the answers, but God does. One passage in the Bible that stands out to me on this particular topic is Isaiah 40:29-31 … “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.”

Closing thoughts from Erin…

Our strength doesn’t come from our own efforts. It comes from Christ. When we’re on the mountaintop, we sometimes forget to give Him the thanks that He deserves. But it’s in our weakest moments that we remember that we are nothing without Christ. He is the breath in our lungs and the fire in our souls. May we not fall prey to forgetting that all glory and honor are due His mighty name. Isaiah 40:29-31 was an excellent reminder Chad gave us. I appreciate his heart, and I’m thankful we have men like him still singing the gospel and spreading the good news for all to hear.

And that’s my take on it.

Until next month, Scoops fans.

Connect with Erin: Twitter – @photosforkeeps Instagram – @photos_for_keeps

Who would you like to see Erin interview next?

By Erin Stevens

First published by SGNScoops Magazine in July 2017

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