You don’t need to be a motorhead to recognize the name Michael Ballard. He’s the owner of Full Throttle Saloon, the self-proclaimed “world’s largest biker bar” in the heart of Sturgis, South Dakota.
It’s a phenomenon that draws thousands of bikers and thrill-seekers every year during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. However, there’s more to Michael’s story than just bikes, bands, and nightlife.
In this article, we’ll get to know the person behind the famous name, from his early beginnings to how he managed to rebuild his empire from the ground up.
Michael Ballard: Personal Profile
The American reality TV star and businessman Michael Ballard is well-recognized as the owner of a famous biker bar. Yet, many of his fans might not know who he is as a person. To get things started, let’s have a quick look at some of his personal details:
- Full Name: Michael Ballard
- Nick Name: Little Al Capone
- Date of Birth: 19 December 1965
- Place of Birth: Trimble, Tennessee
- School: Dyer County High School
- Profession: Reality TV star, businessman, bar owner, and motorcyclist
- Marital Status: Married
- Spouse: Angie Carlson
- Children: One daughter
- Net Worth: $10 million
- Current Residence: Trimble, Tennessee
Image source: Google
Michael Ballard: Early Life and Childhood
Michael Ballard was born in 1965 in the small town of Trimble, Tennessee. Growing up, he was a mischievous young boy. He had a rebellious nature, so much so that he quickly earned the nickname “Little Al Capone.”
From a young age, Michael was deeply fascinated by bars and nightlife. By the time he was 12 years old, he was sneaking into the local town bar, the Silver Dollar Cafe, through the back door.
This type of exposure, combined with his early discovered love for motorcycles, must have sparked his passion for later creating his own bar.
Michael Ballard: Building the Full Throttle Saloon
Michael always had the mindset of an entrepreneur and reportedly had a cellular phone business at some point before becoming famous. In 1999, he sold this company and took a leap of faith, buying 30 acres of land to bring his old dream to life.
From the start, Michael knew he wouldn’t settle for just average. He wanted to build the largest, baddest biker bar in the world, and that’s exactly what he did. He started from scratch, putting everything into building his empire.
The original Full Throttle wasn’t just an ordinary bar where bikers hang out and drink a few beers. It became famous for its wild entertainment, live concerts, and crazy stunts. The place contained restaurants, stages, a tattoo parlor, and even a wrestling ring.
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During the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the Full Throttle can pack over 15,000 guests each night. As stated by Michael, the bar receives two tractor-trailers full of beer per night. That’s a lot of beer to serve!
Michael Ballard: Reality TV Show
In 2009, Michael’s life got even more interesting when truTV decided to feature him in a reality TV show about the saloon. The show gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of managing such a huge place as well as Michael’s personal life.
Image source: Google
The series introduced Michael, his wife Angie, and their team as they went through the ups and downs of managing the bar. Angie brought her own energy to the show, managing dancers and entertainment while aiding in running the business.
Not only that, but the series also featured notable guests like musician Jesse James Dupree. Quickly enough, “Full Throttle Saloon” became popular among fans of motorcycling and reality TV alike.
Michael Ballard: The Tragic Fire
In 2015, everything Michael Ballard built went up in flames. A malfunctioning refrigerator electrical cord overheated, causing a cardboard box to catch on fire, and things escalated quickly. The massive blaze destroyed the Full Throttle Saloon and sadly burned it to the ground.
For Michael, this was a punch to the gut. The dream he spent years building from the ground up was gone in seconds. The damages caused by the tragic fire were estimated to be around a staggering $10 million.
After six seasons and following the devastating fire, the TV show stopped airing and was canceled.
Image source: Google
Michael Ballard: Distillery Business
In 2013, Michael grew confident in his craft as a liquor business owner. So, he decided to expand his entrepreneurial efforts by launching a moonshine distillery called “Full Throttle S’loonshine” in his hometown.
The place quickly became known for its authentic Tennessee moonshine, made using traditional recipes. The distillery produces a variety of flavors, including peach, blackberry, and vanilla. It also offers tours for visitors where they can experience the entire process of production.
Michael Ballard: Rebuilding the Full Throttle Saloon
When interviewed after the fire, Michael stated that he wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to rebuild the saloon. While insurance helped, the damage was too big to be covered entirely by it. Seeing over 15 years of hard work become ashes was all overwhelming.
However, Michael was never a quitter. With the support of his wife Angie and business partner Jesse JamesDupree, Michael found a new spot just outside of Sturgis, South Dakota, to rebuild the saloon.
Image source: Google
The “new” Full Throttle Saloon was up and running by the time of Rally 2016. It lies about seven miles north of the original Full Throttle location, but it’s bigger and louder than ever.
Michael Ballard: Net Worth
Michael Ballard, the American bar owner and reality TV star, has an estimated net worth of about $10 million. This wealth primarily comes from his success as the owner of the Full Throttle Saloon.
Michael also has gained money from starring in his own reality TV series aired for six seasons on truTV, showing the daily operations of the saloon. Besides that, he also makes quite a profit from his moonshine distillery business, “Full Throttle S’loonshine.”
Michael Ballard: Family Life
Michael is married to Angie Ballard, who helps him greatly in managing the saloon. They’ve been together since 2012 and have a daughter named Emillie Grace Lynn (born in 2014).
Featured image source: Google
