Popular country music has, more often than not, fallen a little short of the Lone Star State fan’s expectations. Take, for example, the weekly top 20, or the latest, greatest out of Nashville – sometimes you simply can’t beat the sound that comes straight from the heart of Texas. That being said, there are a variety of Texas music stereotypes that many a listener outside of the state won’t give a listen. As a fan of the genre, I’d have to say they’re closed-off to the experience of what makes a truly great artist. Everyone has their own unique sound, which generally comes from a lifetime of trying, seeing what works, and singing their hearts out. That’s why the Texas Hill Country has a country music scene that’s alive and well, ripe with honky-tonks and filled with the melodic sound of steel guitars. Our region has seen some hard times, and who better to tell that tale than a Texas troubadour themselves?
Lifestyle
The Sound of Texas Music: The Hills Are Alive With Steel Guitars and Honky-Tonks
1. John T. Floore Country Store
Photo: Facebook/Martha Ann Castro
This is an original oldy-but-goody. Floore’s Country Store opened in the 1940s when it could boast that its half-acre dance floor was the largest in south Texas (that was huge!). Since the days when only the latest and greatest played here (who am I kidding – that never stopped!), such Texas stars as Willie Nelson, Robert Earl Keen, and Lyle Lovett have continued to grace its stage and honor guests with their sound. A true Texas Hill Country favorite, this Helotes honky-tonk is a must-see, and your ears will thank you for it.
2. Crider’s Rodeo & Dance Hall
Photo: Facebook/Felix Truvere
Situated in beautiful Hunt, in the Texas Hill Country, Crider’s Rodeo & Dance Hall got its beginnings during a fundraiser on the 4th of July in 1925. From its location on the Guadalupe River, it has since become an annual tradition to visit this honky-tonk, which is family-owned and operated. It opens for summer weekends beginning on Memorial Day. Hosting Saturday-night dances and even rodeos, this cash-only bar features some of the best in Texas country music, which is nothing short of greatness, and that’s how we like it!
3. Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar
Photo: Facebook/Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar
Featuring live Texas music every chance they get, Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar is an honest-to-goodness honky-tonk set in the “Cowboy Capital of the World” – Bandera. This Texas Hill Country diamond-in-the-rough knows how to have a good time, and if you’re looking for genuine, real-deal Texas country music, this is where you’ll find it.