Hitmaker Russ Ballard on the Songs That Shaped Rock

What do Kiss, Santana, America, Rainbow, and Ringo Starr have in common?

Russ Ballard.

The name might not always be in neon lights, but the songs? You know them. You love them. And in our latest interview, we got to sit down with the man behind the music for a deep dive into the decades-long journey of one of rock's most quietly influential icons.

In a 30-minute conversation hosted by Dallas Jack and Rich Lynch, Russ Ballard opened up about everything from writing anthems like “You Can Do Magic” and “God Gave Rock and Roll to You” to reimagining his own catalog in his new double album, Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired.

From Lockdown Tapes to New Rock Gems

Russ started writing what would become Songs From the Warehouse during the pandemic. What started as a creative outlet in lockdown quickly turned into an album filled with both brand-new songs and re-recordings of his greatest hits.

Russ doesn’t treat his old catalog like it’s sitting in a museum. He’s reworking it—rewiring it—with fresh energy, modern production, and new emotion.

“It’s not about nostalgia,” Russ told us. “It’s about reconnecting with the spirit of the song.”

Behind the Scenes: The Hits, the Gear, and a Ringo Starr Surprise

This interview isn’t just about the songs we know—it’s about the stories we didn’t.

Ever heard of a Ringo Starr record that was written by Russ Ballard but never released? We talked about that.

Curious what guitar Russ literally drilled holes into to get that sound? Yep—he explains that too.

And that’s not even getting into the collaborations with so many artists over the years.

Wisdom for Artists Coming Up Today

Russ also dropped gems for up-and-coming artists navigating today's scene. From embracing new technology to holding onto the power of simplicity in songwriting, his perspective is a masterclass in staying true while evolving with the times.

Watch the Full Interview

If you’re a fan of classic rock, songwriting, music production, or just great storytelling—this one’s for you.👉 Watch the full Russ Ballard interview on YouTube now

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