Honky Tonk Tales

Take a journey through country music’s past in this week’s episode of This Week in Country Music History (November 3 – 9). We spotlight the 1962 renaming of Billboard’s country singles chart, remember Johnny Horton’s tragic passing, celebrate Stonewall Jackson’s half-century Opry milestone, and acknowledge key birthdays including Chris Lane and Grand Ole Opry pioneer George D. Hay. Dive into the s...

This week in Country Music History (October 27 – November 2): Willie Nelson earns his first platinum album, Reba hits #1, and Garth Brooks releases No Fences . Plus, Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, and The Highwaymen all make history. From outlaws to love songs, this week’s packed with country gold. TexasRadioOne.com #CountryMusicHistory #ThisWeekInCountryMusic #WillieNelson #GarthBrook...

This week in Country Music History (October 20–26) — we’re spinning back to Loretta Lynn’s fearless #1, Alabama’s record-setting CMA run, and the hits from Charlie Rich, Tim McGraw, Kenny Rogers, and Gretchen Wilson. Plus, Chris Stapleton’s Traveller begins its rise, and we celebrate some country legends’ birthdays. A little twang, a little truth, and a lotta great music. Big Fork Brands brings bo...

This week in country music history covers a wild, telling stretch across October 13–19. We revisit the night Charlie Rich lit the CMA envelope , Tammy Wynette’s first #1 , and the birth of Melba Montgomery . We head into Nashville late nights with Loretta Lynn ’s recording, and into TV’s early country spotlight with Willie Nelson on Austin City Limits . We also honor Dallas Harms , whose Canadian...

This week in country music history takes us from Johnny Cash’s prison roar to Garth Brooks’ shaky Opry debut , and everywhere in between. On October 6, 1969 , At San Quentin hit #1, cementing the Man in Black’s outlaw legend. Just a few years later, George Strait scored his very first chart-topping album, and in 1996, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill tied the knot to become country’s royal couple. Add in...

Step back through the years with us as we explore the biggest milestones in country music history from September 29th through October 5th . From the birth of Clarence Ashley in 1895 and the very first televised Grand Ole Opry in 1950, to Loretta Lynn’s fiery Don’t Come Home A’Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind) , Vince Gill’s 1990s award-show dominance, and the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary c...

From the auto plants of Flint, Michigan to the neon glow of America’s honky-tonks, Whitey Morgan has carved his own lane in country music. In this 2 part story on Honky Tonk Tales , Jimmy takes you on a rowdy ride through Whitey’s blue-collar roots, his band The 78’s, the long nights and longer highways, and the albums ( Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels , Sonic Ranch , Hard Times and White Lines ) tha...

From the auto plants of Flint, Michigan to the neon glow of America’s honky-tonks, Whitey Morgan has carved his own lane in country music. In this 2 part story on Honky Tonk Tales , Jimmy takes you on a rowdy ride through Whitey’s blue-collar roots, his band The 78’s, the long nights and longer highways, and the albums ( Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels , Sonic Ranch , Hard Times and White Lines ) tha...

Step back in time with The Rock Pod as we uncover the biggest milestones in country music history from September 22nd through the 28th . From the launch of Farm Aid with Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young, to Hank Williams’ final recording session, Garth Brooks’ CMA dominance, and Jeannie C. Riley shaking up small-town gossip with Harper Valley P.T.A. — this episode is packed with unfo...

On this Part 3 episode of Honky Tonk Tales , Jimmy finishes the dive into the controversial, and unbelievable life of David Allan Coe — the outlaw’s outlaw. From prison yards to biker bars, from Tennessee Whiskey to You Never Even Called Me By My Name , we cover the highs, the lows, and all the stories Nashville never wanted you to hear. Grit, laughs, and honky tonk history. Stream it now wherever...

On this Part 2 Episode of Honky Tonk Tales , Jimmy continues the deep dive into the wild, controversial, and unbelievable life of David Allan Coe — the outlaw’s outlaw. From prison yards to biker bars, from Tennessee Whiskey to You Never Even Called Me By My Name , we cover the highs, the lows, and all the stories Nashville never wanted you to hear. Grit, laughs, and honky tonk history. Stream it...

On this Part 1 episode of Honky Tonk Tales , Jimmy dives deep into the wild, controversial, and unbelievable life of David Allan Coe — the outlaw’s outlaw. From prison yards to biker bars, from Tennessee Whiskey to You Never Even Called Me By My Name , we cover the highs, the lows, and all the stories Nashville never wanted you to hear. Plenty of grit, laughs, and honky tonk history. Stream it now...

This week in Country Music History, we’re looking back at some of the most iconic moments between September 15th and September 21st . From the birth of legends like Roy Acuff, Hank Williams, and Trisha Yearwood, to the release of the first Bristol Sessions recordings, to Garth Brooks’ record-breaking chart debut, these stories shaped the sound of country music forever. Plus, we dig into one of the...

In this episode, Jimmy takes you down the gypsy highway with one of Texas music’s most colorful legends — Jerry Jeff Walker. From his restless beginnings as Ronnie Crosby in upstate New York, to the New Orleans drunk tank where Mr. Bojangles was born, to the rowdy Austin dancehalls that gave rise to ¡Viva Terlingua! — this is the story of a songwriter who lived as wild as the songs he sang. So gra...

#honkytonktales #countrymusichistory #countrymusichalloffame #countrymusic #podcast

From Patsy Cline’s unforgettable voice to Hank Williams’ career-changing audition, this week in country music is packed with history! We’re celebrating the birthdays of Patsy and legendary songwriter Harlan Howard, revisiting Carrie Underwood’s fast-rising hit “Cowboy Casanova,” and looking back at the day Hank Williams first auditioned for Fred Rose at Acuff-Rose Publishing. Join us for stories,...

Loretta Lynn’s story is country music at its rawest—full of grit, heartbreak, sass, and triumph. In this episode of Honky Tonk Tales , Jimmy takes you from her humble beginnings in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, to her groundbreaking reign as the Queen of Country Grit. You’ll hear about her hardscrabble childhood as a coal miner’s daughter, her whirlwind teenage marriage, and the $17 Sears guitar that...

From the Florida swamps of Apopka to the neon lights of Nashville, John Anderson carved out a career as one of the most distinctive voices in country music. In this episode of Honky Tonk Tales, Jimmy takes you on a journey through Anderson’s early days roofing the Grand Ole Opry, his first break with “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal,” the million-selling smash “Swingin’,” and the career-saving maste...

From Tex Ritter to Shania Twain, this week in country music has it all! We celebrate Jo Dee Messina’s birthday and her record-breaking run, remember Tex Ritter’s 1945 No. 1 hit, and mark the final broadcast of the legendary Louisiana Hayride. Plus, Hank Williams records “Moanin’ the Blues,” Shania blows out the candles, and Gentleman Jim Reeves is remembered. It’s a full week of milestones, memori...

From Tex Ritter to Shania Twain, this week in country music has it all! We celebrate Jo Dee Messina’s birthday and her record-breaking run, remember Tex Ritter’s 1945 No. 1 hit, and mark the final broadcast of the legendary Louisiana Hayride. Plus, Hank Williams records “Moanin’ the Blues,” Shania blows out the candles, and Gentleman Jim Reeves is remembered. It’s a full week of milestones, memori...

In this episode, Jimmy takes you on a winding ride through the life and legend of Willie Nelson — from his humble beginnings in Abbott, Texas, to his reign as the red-braided outlaw poet of country music. Packed with wild backstories, behind-the-scenes tales, and the songs that changed the genre forever, this episode explores Willie’s rise as a songwriter, his Outlaw Country revolution, his Hollyw...

This Week in Country Music History – Aug 18–24: George Jones plays NYC, birthdays for Clay Walker, Lee Ann Womack, Kacey Musgraves, and Kenny Rogers, plus remembering Fred Rose — and the week Elvis recorded “Love Me Tender.” #CountryMusicHistory #TexasRadioOne #HonkyTonkTales #CountryMusic #Podcast

From the cotton fields of Colt, Arkansas to the velvet-draped stages of Nashville, Charlie Rich defied genres and expectations at every turn. In this in-depth episode, Jimmy dives into the life and legacy of the soulful piano man who blurred the lines between country, jazz, rockabilly, gospel, and blues. You’ll hear the story behind early hits like “Lonely Weekends,” his Sun Records years, his str...

Step back in time with us for This Week in Country Music History, August 10th through the 16th! From Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin’” topping the charts to George Strait’s very first No. 1, we’re covering the milestones, the legends’ birthdays, and one toe-tappin’ fun fact you might not know. Whether it’s Kenny Chesney finding his beach, Trisha Yearwood’s movie hit, or remembering the King himself,...

She kicked in the doors of Nashville at 13, ran wild with the outlaws, broke hearts, broke rules, and still came out swingin'. In this deep dive, Honky Tonk Tales tells the unfiltered story of Tanya Tucker — the spitfire who turned scandal into stardom and setbacks into stage anthems. Hosted by Jimmy, this episode dives headfirst into Tanya's rise, her infamous romances (lookin’ at you, Glen Campb...