What is honkey tonk blues?

Honky tonk blues is a subgenre of country music that originated in the early 20th century in the Southern United States. It is characterized by its uptempo rhythms, simple chord progressions, and lyrics about the trials and tribulations of everyday life, often with a focus on drinking and heartbreak.

The term "honky tonk" originally referred to a type of bar or establishment where country music was played, often featuring dancing and drinking. The music that came to be associated with these places was called honky tonk music or honky tonk blues.

Artists such as Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb, and Lefty Frizzell popularized honky tonk blues in the 1940s and 1950s. The style went through a revival in the 1970s with artists like Merle Haggard and George Jones continuing to incorporate elements of honky tonk into their music.

Today, honky tonk blues remains a popular subgenre of country music, with contemporary artists such as Dale Watson and Margo Price carrying on the tradition.