Steve’s Place, Thorndale, TX
We gassed, braked and steered our way through the backroads of Milam County. With Olle reading the map and Chris keeping the pick-up steady 65 at the wheel, we soon found ourselves in Downtown Texas, Texas. We’re on the hunt for a little-known honky-tonk that we’ve heard tell of for a long time. We don’t … Read more
Leon’s Store, Rockne, TX
Most every time I put my foot here, something is going on. Today we’re just rolling dice. I’m not much of a dice player, but my new friends help me out. Gary slips me a couple bucks under the table to throw in when I’ve lost my last pot, but it still ends with me … Read more
Circleville Store, Circleville, TX
The old gas pumps in front are all out of use. With the big chains selling cheap gas in the nearby town they are no longer worthwhile. Despite the fact of having no gas, this place has a lot to offer. There’s hardware supplies, fishing bait, groceries, hunting stuff and various objects all over the … Read more
Tolfur’s, Ammanville, TX
Across the road lies St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. In all of it’s glory, it’s a fine example of the painted churches in this area, but we’re not here to attend the church, or maybe we are. It’s another kind of church we’re aiming for, a countryside hangout and meeting place for the locals, … Read more
Matt Hillyer of Eleven Hundred Springs talks about playing at the Honky-Tonks
“When we got started, we played at this place called Naomis and it was just this tiny, tiny little beer joint, a honky-tonk if there ever was one. The kind of place you can by a six pack to go from, the walls are falling apart, the dirt is probably one of the only things … Read more
Dean’s Store, Weinert, TX
Once again, it has proven valuable to hang out in Hunter. Last night we went bar hopping back and forth between Happy Cow and Riley’s, and I can’t remember how many times we crossed those railroad tracks. Between talking to friends, singing along to Gary Stewart on the jukebox and sinking kongnecks someone put an … Read more
Harry’s on the Loop, Willow City, TX.
First thing I notice, stepping out of the car walking towards the screen door of Harry’s On The Loop, is the crackling sound from under my boots. The gravelled parking lot is covered with beer caps from the countless beers visitors from near and far has drunk here, drenching their thirst to the sound of … Read more
Red Steagall talks about Texas Culture.
“I’ve been in country music and western music for over 40 years. And I’ve written a lot of country songs. They are primarily talking about the working man and the society of the working man. And we call them honky-tonk songs and western swing. So I did that for a long, long time. Then I … Read more
Club 21, Uhland, TX
We never intended to go looking for a ghost town but standing at the crossroads in Uhland I find myself in a place that appears to be totally uninhabited. One of the last outposts, something profound that easily goes by unnoticed if you don’t know to look behind the ragged façade of the old buildings. … Read more
James Hand talks about Honky-Tonks
“I started in this business when I was 12 years old and I’m 56 now. A honky-tonk to me is where people go that don’t have the money or even the want too, to go somewhere where people look down on them. Think about a honky-tonk. Everybody is at the same level. If you are … Read more
