Country star Frankie Ballard performs in Bradenton

Frankie Ballard has only been in Nashville for six years, but he's already established himself as a country star.

He's had three successive radio hits -- the current "Young and Crazy" and the gold records "Sunshine & Whiskey" and "Helluva Life" -- and his album "Sunshine & Whiskey" debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.

Besides that, he's been generating a lot of enthusiasm from major music publications. "Rolling Stone Country" called Ballard's music "required listening," and said he has "an entertainer's sensibility."

You can judge for yourself on Friday when Ballard comes to Bradenton for a show at Joyland. Opening the show is one of Manatee County's favorite home-grown country-rock outfits, the Boss Hawg Band.

Ballard came to Nashville from his home in Battle Creek, Mich., in 2009, with an eye toward making it in the music business. His music is country rock infused with blues, with lyrics that draw from his working-class background.

He has opened for major country, pop and rock stars, including Taylor Swift, Jake Owen, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney and his longtime idol Bob Seger. Details: 8 p.m. Nov. 6, Joyland, 5520 14th St., Bradenton. Tickets: $15 advance, $20 at the door. Information: (941) 756-6060, joylandcountry.com.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Country star Frankie Ballard performs in Bradenton ."