Matt Ballenger is the guitarist and harmony vocalist for both Steve Sizemore Group and RockHouse. When he isn’t playing with SSG or RockHouse, you can find him doing session work, writing songs for his projects, putting the finishing touches on his upcoming solo guitar/vocal release “String Theory”, or running the consoles of MediaBrain Records as recording engineer and producer.

“I’ve been very blessed musically,” he says. “I couldn’t ask for better bands to be playing with right now. In its first year, RockHouse has quickly matured and shows amazing potential. I'm very excited about the RockHouse debut album release. I'm also very happy to be playing with the guys in the Steve Sizemore Group. We first started working together at the 2008 Abbey Road on the River festival which is the second largest Beatles festival in the world. We had the chance play alongside Pete Best [original Beatles drummer] and a long lineup of incredible bands and musicians from around the world which was a huge honor. The festival showed a great chemistry both personally and professionally with the guys in SSG, so I was thrilled at the opportunity to continue that relationship. Also my studio, MediaBrain, is nearly finished recording Steve Sizemore Group’s latest album which I am very proud to be a part of. SSG is going to have a killer release. I can really feel myself growing as a musician as a result of all the recent activity which is tremendously satisfying.”

Though recognized as a youthful newcomer, Matt Ballenger carries the mature attitude of a seasoned musician that hopes to contribute his unique interpretation of his favorite artists to the rock scene. Never satisfied with his playing, he aims to continuously improve. He credits fellow Lexington guitarist Ben Lacy as his chief influence. “I studied under Ben briefly, but his impact was profound,” he says. “What I took most from Ben was his intense and never-ending drive to better his playing. The guy is one of the most amazing players I have ever heard yet he is simultaneously so humble and open to learn. He changed my thinking completely. That is the way I approach music - as a lifelong commitment to mastering a craft. I never miss an opportunity to learn.” Other instrumental influences include John Petrucci, Steve Morse, Steve Vai, Steve Howe, Neal Schon, Steve Lukather, Al DiMeola, Eric Johnson, Ty Tabor, Alex Lifeson, even Miles Davis, and many others. Songwriting influences include Neal Morse, Lennon/McCartney (& Harrison too!), Gilmour/Waters, Page/Plant, Stevie Wonder, and more.

Music appears to be a natural outlet as creativity is an essential endeavor for Matt. “As beings created in the likeness of the Ultimate Creator, it is logical that we should feel an intense desire to fulfill a creative need,” he says. That thinking isn’t only applied to songwriting and guitar playing. In the fashion of Brian May and Tom Scholz, he extends his creative efforts into the realm of science and engineering as an inventor credited with 26 patents. “Well, it is important to be well rounded,” he declares.

Apparently so… Matt is a proud alumnus of the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics Minor. He is a native of Lexington, KY where he lives with his wife Emily and their two border collies Melody and Beans. In his spare time, he enjoys history, movies, football, UK athletics, science, and most importantly spending time with family.

Keep an eye on this up and coming talent as he is sure to soon make an impact.