Todd Jamison Ballantyne

I have extremely fond memories of Todd from our ATO days at the University of Texas. While regrettably I was never able to connect with him since then, I am heartened by reading his obit - indeed a life well lived. I especially love that he became an ardent follower of Jesus Christ.
What I will always remember was his smile and laugh; his entire face would light up in an incredibly warm, almost sheepish countenance, full of sunshine, inviting you to join him in his brief moment of wonderful joy. May he rest in peace.

Last night, February 5, 2023, as I was falling asleep, for some reason, I thought about Todd. When I awoke this morning I found the news of his passing years ago.
My guess is no one wii read this, but my prayer is that Todd will know.
I met Todd at ASU in 1970. I can´t remember the exact circumstances, but we ended up playing in a local band together. That experience was rather short lived as I planned on moving to Flagstaff, Az to continue my education at Northern Arizona University.
I was shocked by a knock on my door one evening in April or May. It was Todd. I hadn´t seen him for months. He told me he was heading back to Minot and was putting together a tour band. Would I like to join? Todd, the consummate salesman, explained the earning potential, our logistical plan, and that I would be playing bass guitar in a three piece power band. Without much hesitation I agreed. Within a few weeks Todd picked me up in his corvette and we took off like Tod and Buzz from "Route 66" on a 1500 mile trek to Minot. We were in no big hurry so we decided to make it a scenic cruise. The highlight of the trip for me was stopping at Mount Rushmore and Deadwood City.
When we arrived in Minot we set up our rehearsal studio in the basement of Pat´s office, a two story house that also provided us with bedrooms upstairs. I then met David "Nobby" Jones who would play lead guitar and help me out on background vocals. I had no gear so we drove to Jamestown, ND to a music store Todd knew of where I purchased an Epiphone bass and a Standel amp equipped with two 15" JBL speakers. Nobby had his Gibson ES-335 and grabbed a Fender Twin Reverb amp. We were all set.
We spent the next two weeks putting together a set list comprised of heavy covers by Mountain, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and Cream. Because we improvised all of the instrumental breaks, each song lasted over 5 minutes. Todd´s brother Steve and his friend became our roadies. They previewed each stop on our "tour" putting up flyers and procuring a hall to perform in. For the next three months "Child" was on the road making stops throughout North Dakota, northern South Dakota, and western Minnesota.
It was Todd´s vision and his dream come true. At the end of the summer I headed back to Arizona, Nobby was going to Texas but came along with me to Omaha where I stopped off to see a friend.
That was the last time I ever saw Todd or Nobby. That was the end of "Child". However, those memories will remain with me forever. So, I say "goodbye " to my friend Todd Ballantyne, thanks for the memories.
Please, if anyone sees this and has comments, contact me.
[email protected]

I miss the idea of Todd working in his music hall. I miss the enthusiasm he carried with him. I miss his unique perspective and sense of humor. I miss the drive he put into his quests. I miss his laid back sense of time. I miss his dare-to-dream mentality. Todd left a legacy scattered around with spirit sowed willy-nilly at times but, through it all, carrying a sense of Self that left me in awe sometimes and in stitches at others. I miss him and mourn his loss.

Blessed Heavenly Birthday, Todd. We all love you and miss you.

Gene Zahursky-Klein from Mandan, ND, wrote on Oct. 24, 2018

Being a very early music aficionado and having an insatiable need to follow the multitudes of fine bands that permeated the music scene in the 60's, I was in thrall of Todd's unparalleled drumming. He struck me as no other did. Accidentally sitting next to him many years later at a counter, I was intrigued by this big blond guy pounding out this amazing rhythm on the rail, and of course it was him. A great conversation followed. This was my only "real" interaction with Todd, but he remains one of the greats from my past, and I was saddened to catch his name in Minot paper. I remember all the bands he was in, and still have a "THE SPYDER IS!" button pinned to my bedroom curtain. My sincere condolences to you; it sounds like Todd lived his life perfectly.

I played lead guitar in the Beefeaters my senior year at U.T Austin. I still play, and have a home studio that I write and record in. I woke up in the middle of the night the other day and thought about Todd and how much fun it would be do a project with him, and found his obit in my search to contact him. He and I were best buds in the band and we were the two who played off each other. Everyone should know he was an incredible drummer. His double bass drums carried every song and we would end the evening with the Yardbirds "Train Kept a Rollin" and Todd would end with a drum solo that would leave everyone mesmerized. RIP Todd, and now I am sorry I did'nt call you years ago.

I have memories of Todd going back decades to when he and Brett used to spend their summers as we did at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach on Maui, Hawaii. He and I would spend our days on the beach and always include a long walk the full length of the beach, from one end to the other. It was a perfect time to really talk, to solve the world's problems, and to share. He unselfishly trusted me and told me his challenges and sought my advice, complimenting me on my ability to apparently introspect accurately into his circumstances and relate, offering alternatives and advice that resonated in his heart. He told me that I was the smartest person he had ever met and I objected, trying to convince him that he was humbly underrating himself and that he should look in the mirror. No one ever complimented him like this and it provided the basis of a very close personal friendship that lasted decades and included many walks on the beach, shared meals, and long conversations. I will miss him.

Gary Liebl
[email protected]

Dearest Brett,I just found out today and I am so very sorry for your loss sweetie! Please come to visit me, Alex and Dani and we can pull out some photos.(get info from Alex) Your dad was really way too young, right now this is shocking, yet surely you will see him again in Heaven!Love and Hugs! , Barbara