Category Archives: Honky Tonk

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 9 ~ Christopher Seymore

In this episode we get to chat with Christopher about his life, loves and music. He talks about building a community of like minded artists and how being a founding member of the Houston Honky Tonk Society is helping to bring this dream into reality.

Christopher talks about collaborating with artists such South Texas Tweek on songs such as ‘I Can Get off on You’ they first met at the Continental Club in Houston, and even tour managed Tweek while he was supporting Nick Shoulders. Christopher’s new release ‘Cheated On‘ the original song idea was Tweek’s when Christopher was over at his house for Thanksgiving and Tweek had the a killer line and then Christopher worked on the chorus and melody and after 6 or 7 months they had the final song.

It’s fascinating how Christopher, as a songwriter, delves into the depths of human emotions to create compelling lyrics. His ability to tap into the essence of the human condition and express it through the power of music is truly remarkable. Through his songwriting, Christopher has the unique talent to capture the myriad of emotions that define our existence, from profound joy to deep sorrow, and everything in between. This remarkable skill enables him to connect with others on a deeply emotional level, resonating with the experiences and feelings of his audience. The art of songwriting is a profound and beautiful way for Christopher to channel and share the complexities of the human experience, touching the hearts and souls of those who listen to his music.

Old school Honkytonk and Hillbilly music is how Christopher describes his music. Over the course of twenty years Christopher has collected tattoos all over his body. His first was from Famous Gabe from Pensacola Florida at a place called Through The Moon .

Christopher Seymore

Grew up singing in Church with his family and especially on his mothers side they are a musical family. His parents and his Aunts sang to him Old Country songs and hymns in Church. He always enjoyed singing and making up stories and wasn’t completely serious about a life of music until his late teens and early twenties. In Texas and the Two-Step culture is a whole another experience to connect with the audience. A true spiritual experience, as an artist he is developing himself and the challenge is to truly show himself. It’s all about trying to make a genuine connection between artist and the audience.

Dean Dillon, George Strait and Wayne Kemp are all musical heroes to Christopher and is part of his Country education. The development of a local music scene is directly connected to the availability of mid sized venues and the loss of these venues is felt to every independent artist. Stadium venues will always survive as they can bring in the top tier artists.

Nowhere else does anybody play a shuffle except a Texas drummer, there’s something in the air and water that makes Texas music awesome and is an alternative to what passes for county music these days . David Miner, Nicky Diamonds, Sam Turner and the Cactus Cats, South Texas Tweek, Patrick B Ray, Nick Garza’s Get Along and Chasen Wayne are all making music there own way in Texas and it’s totally different from that polished Nashville sound. Tim Bolo, Hannah Juanita, Summer Dean, Brennen Leigh and Sterling Drake are exceptions to the this more commercialised music.

Christopher Seymore

Christopher is working on a new album and has enough material for two albums. He will be back in the studio recording albums, one album is more outlaw and darker and another album has a seventies dancehall honkytonk feel.

So listen into this fascinating podcast with Christopher Seymore and CloudwatcherUno by clicking the link below or streaming on Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 6 ~ Shawn Hess

Shawn Hess speaks with CloudwatcherUno for the latest podcast all the way from Laramie, Wyoming. We talk about Shawn’s music from ‘World Away’, ‘Hey Friend’ and his new album ‘Wild Onion’. Since ‘Hey Friend’ took so long to be released Shawn has got over two years worth of songs that he has written. With ‘Wild Onion’ it’s an album of greatest hits that have never been recorded.

‘Hey Friend’ took two years from start to finish over the pandemic while the songs for ‘Wild Onion’ started to be recorded in August 2023 and released in January 2024. Brian Joseph who runs 6th Street Records used his magic to record these songs (but in his studio in Boulder, Colorado. The Universe aligned to have all the artists from fiddle player, drummer, peddle steel player be able to not only be there for the recording and the whole album was live tracked which means that all the artists were able to play at the same time.

Shawn’s inspiration for his music comes from the beautiful landscape of Wyoming and ‘Tear for You’ is dedicated to his father. On their travels they would stop the car and would immediately be surrounded by the smell of onions and being shown the ways of nature from his father.

Shawn has been playing music since he was 12 years old and in metal bands and psychedelic bands, plated upright bass in a bluegrass band for a long time. He wrote a lot of music for those bands but was never the word guy and it was after a breakup his brother said he should listen to Daniel Romano and it blew Shawn’s mind. Shawn loved classic country music but this was a fresh take on those classic tunes and was a turning point for Shawn and his music.

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Shawn Hess. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S10 Ep 9 ~ Jarrod Dickenson

In this 99th episode of the CloudwatcherUno Podcast we catch up with gentleman troubadour himself Jarrod Dickenson. The wandering minstrel originally hails from Waco, Texas and after spells in New York , this singing sensation has settled in Tennessee. Travelling all over Europe he met his wife and bandmate Claire Dickenson in Belfast and this versatile vocalist has become the special ingredient to his sound on stage and on record.

“Take It From Me” by Jarrod Dickenson

We have a “Big Talk” about Jarrod’s new album, his inspirations and his music. We also talk about Jarrod’s Battle Royale with a major label and the deal that went sour big time when the label did their utmost to sabotage the release of his album “Ready The Horses” but it took a Jarrod and Goliath battle to get the rights back to his own music. Jarrod’s musical riposte to all of these shenanigans is the song “Buckle Under Pressure” which you can hear on his latest album.

“Gold Rush” by Jarrod Dickenson

That wasn’t the only battle that Jarrod has been fighting, complications from Covid-19 left Jarrod with a lifelong health condition. All of this drama has been poured into Jarrod’s music and especially into the latest album. With the help of Jano Rix, Ted Pecchio, J P Ruggieri, Oliver Wood and Ethan Johns this album is a testament to the true grit of this southern artist.

Suave and sophisticated is this southern gem Jarrod Dickenson

Jarrod has recently been to these Isles of Britannia having done a tour of the UK and Europe. He’ll be back over here again to support Amanda Shires in June and performing on stage at Black Deer Festival – Americana & Country Music Festival in June 2023. So do your ears a favour and get you to a gig to listen to this magnificent Texan artist.

Jarrod Dickenson has a fine moustache….sadly it can’t compete with CloudwatcherUno!

Click below to join in with the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Jarrod Dickenson. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S10 Ep 4 ~ Natalie Prauser

Natalie Prauser is a coffee aficionado, songstress and all round fabulous artist. We laugh, gasp and sit back in wonder on how this Kansas native is bringing her honky tonk music to life. Natalie’s album “Til The Sun Comes Up” is a veritable modern classic with all credit to her partner Marty Bush for mixing, producing and mastering the album. Let’s not forget also designing the look of the masterpiece as well.

“Til The Sun Comes Up” by Natalie Prauser

Natalie and Marty first met during Pre Covid times while Natalie was sleeping at a bar that Marty frequented. Plying him copious amounts of whiskey Natalie was determined to connect with Marty and that’s exactly what happened. The result is a relationship that has grown personally and professionally as musicians. There’s a to and fro of ideas and it’s a resource that Natalie draws upon Marty’s musical experience to decide which songs are EPIC and which are so so.

Natalie’s approach to songs varies but there was a time when she wrote “Cocaine” all on her phone while being a bouncer at Westport Saloon in Kansas City. Just imagine a 100 pound Natalie as a bouncer. Natalie’s mom recollects that as a child she was always writing songs and then at 13 she started playing at bars. For Natalie this was one of many paths that she could take, having dropped out of school, when Natalie was 16 she drove everywhere and slept in her car and be on the road as much as her finances would allow.

Natalie Prauser and Marty Bush

Natalie was living the vagabond existence and felt you don’t have to be Charley Crockett to live the life of a musician. Natalie’s musical heroes have been Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, John Prine and Blaze Foley.

For the future Natalie will be on tour with Marty and will be enjoying the writing process and produce another Cabin Session album. There will be another video to showcase her music and will continue to be touring across the States for the next year.

Click below to join in with the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Natalie Prauser. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno S10 Ep 3 ~ Jack Browning

CloudwatcherUno catches up with Jack Browning at his headline gig at the honkiest tonkiest bar in London @thedukesofhighgate Speaking with Jack just after his epic show (which features songs from his new album) we get to hear about the progress on recording the album, mixing and final overdubs on his songs. Jack has always played in other bands but when Covid came around he started focusing on his own personal songs.

Jack had struggled to write his own songs and then gave himself a deadline to write an EP’s worth of songs but ended up writing 10 songs. He then recorded them with a live band in Kent. Then Pat Lyons who plays with Colter Wall and other artists have added their magic to bring these songs to life. Jack is trying to bring that full band experience onto a live stage. The plan is to send the album around to see if there is any interest.

Jack has released singles/music before such as “Walkin’ Man” which Jack had recorded in his art studio. It was a strange feeling to be a leading man rather than a session player. Jack has always been into music and has leaned more into country music as he gets older. The album is a milestone for Jack as an artist as he reflects on his life.

“Walkin’ Man” by Jack Browning

Jack is a fan of country first and foremost and wants to capture the energy of this music and channel it into the album. Johnny Cash and The Highwayman, Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, Charley Crockett and Colter Wall have all influenced Jack and his music.

Jack will be playing live on 23rd July 2023 in Peterborough at thewillowfestival.co.uk Make sure you catch him live on stage.

To listen into the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Jack click the link below. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S9 Ep 10 – Season Finale ~ Gus Clark

Photo: Connie Aramkai

Season 9 Episode 10 Finale is with the legendary Gus Clark. We catch up with him from his home in Texas. We start the conversation talking about “Some Of My Songs” released by Gus in 2022. The album was actually all done before the pandemic and then couldn’t release the record or do anything with it and not knowing how long the pandemic would last and finally decided that he was going to put it out to the world. So it was released before Gus went out on his Spring Tour in 2022.

“Sing A Song” by Gus Clark And The Least Of His Problems

As other artists were working on new albums and new material during the pandemic Gus struggled with being creative and working on new songs. Creativity isn’t just something that you can just switch on like a tap, if the well is dry than nothing will come out. It wasn’t until 2022 that Gus decided to get back to it and flex his musical muscles and work on new music.

“You have to learn your own material. Even after playing a song 100 times it still changes”.

Photo: Connie Aramkai

You have to reach a point where you are almost sick of your songs because you’ve played them so many times but you have to get to that point where you are comfortable paying them. The experience of listening to a song changes from day to day because of how you feel. Listening to old 78’s and the arranged Nashville sound that Gus has made his own, Gus muses that there needs to be room for subtlety and improvisation and it’s interesting how a song can morph into something else when playing with different musicians from when it was originally recorded.

Photo: Connie Aramkai

Gus has been into music since his late teens, playing in punk rock bands and in his early twenties playing on the streets and hitchhiked a lot travelling to where the music he grew up on was actually born. Gus loves to connect with people and throwing himself out there and as a performer he loves it when the audience loves his songs but won’t take it to heart if they don’t.

“Go Down Swingin'” by Gus Clarke and The Least Of His Problems

Touring has changed for Gus, no longer is he sleeping rough and eating terribly. Now he’s eating alright food and sleeping in a van. Gus did 22 states in 2 months in early 2022 with the band and came to the realisation on how touring restores his faith in humanity and playing music to new rooms hundreds and thousands of miles away from home. It’s a reminder on how easy it is to connect to someone through music after being so isolated because of the pandemic.

“People do want to engage, people do want to connect and be generous in what they have to give emotionally from a heartfelt place. in true and honest support”

Gus is always wanting to engage with new people and grow his audience through touring , producing new albums and and adapting his sound so that it not only showcases the best of his talent but also all the musical influences that have shaped him as an artist. I for one am glad that Gus Clark’s musical vision is being shared with the world and would hope that listeners educate their ears by listening to a unique voice in country music.

To listen into the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Gus click the link below. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S9 Ep 7 ~ Sterling Drake

Season 9 Episode 7 features returning guest Sterling Drake an ambassador for new independent music who navigates being an artist in these modern musical times. Sterling released ‘Roll The Dice’ his first EP to much critical acclaim and wanted to try a different direction for his next EP “Highway 200”. Sterling is a three-time Billboard charting songwriter with work released via publishing powerhouse Extreme Music (Sony ATV) and has written with several Grammy award winning writers.

‘Roll The Dice’ by Sterling Drake

We also talk about working on a ranch in Montana, becoming a small part of the TV series @yellowstone and his fellow musical brethren @sierraelizabethferrell and @hannahjuanita_thehardliner

‘Highway 200’ by Sterling Drake

Then we also chat about what is the perfect length for a record, does that depend on the genre? Also Sterling’s plans for touring across the States and producing new music and deciding which direction that will take him. The future is not written and a path needs to be dug out by Sterling as to how his career will go forward. To that end Sterling will release EPs and singles in different styles so as to get a body of work together. Only when this is done will Sterling consider releasing an album in order to solidify his approach to this genre.

‘Highway 200’ by Sterling Drake

Sterling Drake plays timeless country music following in the footsteps of Bob Wills, Merle Haggard and George Strait. Sterling doesn’t put a label on his music, for him it’s just music that has a cultural heritage. Sterling’s peers such Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers are breaking from the perceived notion of what country music should sound like and Sterling is also breaking the mould when it comes to this style of country music.

‘In The Pines’ by Sterling Drake

Click below to join in with the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Sterling Drake. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S9 Ep 5 ~ Isaac Hoskins

Isaac Hoskins and CloudwatcherUno talk about his upcoming album, “Bender,” out this Friday 18th November 2022.

It’s his third album and we got an exclusive listen to this amazing record. It’s a showcase for Isaac’s storytelling, lyrics, melodies and hooks. Recorded at The Finishing School in Austin, Texas, and produced and engineered by Gordy Quist of The Band of Heathens. Stand out tracks are ‘Panhandle Wind’, ‘The Pistol and The Prayer’ and ‘H-Town Turnaround’. You can hear the influences of Guy Clark, Jack Ingram, John Prine and Blaze Foley throughout this album.

“Panhandle Wind” by Isaac Hoskins

 “Panhandle Wind.” All at once Country-tinged and Rock-driven, the baritone and steel guitar-led tune embodies Hoskins’ uncanny ability to match up a good story with a catchy refrain, leading to a windows-down, Sunday cruise sing-along. “The idea for this song came to me while driving to Lubbock to play a show,” remembers Hoskins. “That was just one of many very windy, dusty drives to and from the Panhandle of Texas and Northwest Oklahoma.” Last week, Outsider premiered “Panhandle Wind” along with an in-depth interview with Hoskins, noting, “his sound straddles the fence between folky heartland Americana and Texas country.”

Isaac Hoskins has lived many lives, and these have all influenced his music.

One of Isaac’s fans is a certain Taylor Sheridan co-creator of @yellowstone Once he heard the album played at a private party he wanted Isaac’s music in the show. Isaac will have two songs on the show. Tune in and listen up to Isaac sing ‘Off The Wagon’ in Episode 3 airing Sunday 20th November 2022.

Yellowstone Season 5 Official Trailer

Of his music, Hoskins has said that every song comes from his roots. The people, places, and events that unfold around him provide the resonance, and Hoskins himself draws those memories into stories about love, loss, and everything in between. The music is how Hoskins participates in the culture that has shaped him. Country music is known for its traditions and conventions, but Hoskins feels there is a way to honor these without reducing the audience to a caricature of itself. For Hoskins, the work is keeping one foot squarely in country and “roots” music while still exploring new ways to express yourself as an artist. 

The ‘Larger Than Life’ Isaac Hoskins.

Click below to join in with the conversation from CloudwatcherUno featuring Isaac Hoskins. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast Season 9 ~ Ep 1 ~ The Local Honeys

CloudwatcherUno S9 ~ Episode 1 starts with The Local Honeys who are Linda Jean Stokely and Montana Hobbs. They hail from the misty blue mountains of Kentucky and their music is at once modern but cloaked in the great Appalachian music traditions.

“The Ballad of Frank & Billy Buck” by The Local Honeys

We talk about their last trip to Europe in 2020 just before the world shut down and how it helped them to focus on getting the right sound for their self titled 2022 album ‘The Local Honeys’.  their first release on La Honda Records. The Local Honeys captures the essence of rural Kentucky, conjuring old school melodies with deep grooves and haunting instrumentals.

Montana Hobbs and Linda Jean Stokely

Their previous albums “The Gospel” (2019) and “Little Girls Actin’ Like Men (2017) are modern day classics.

“Dead Horses” by The Local Honeys

Enjoy our conversation on the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring The Local Honeys. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast Season 8 Finale ~ Ep 10 ~ Jonathan Terrell

This is the CloudwatcherUno S8 Finale ~ Episode 10 with Jonathan Terrell and it’s a fantastic way to end the current season. JT is the ultimate renaissance artist he’s a cosmic cowboy, singer songwriter, film director, photographer and DJ.

“I Know” by Jonathan Terrell

We talk about his upcoming EP, “A Couple 2, 3,” his singles “Better For You” and “I Know”. His signing with Range Records @range.records Sharing his experiences touring with Midland most recently in Europe. When Jonathan’s not doing a million and one creative things all at the same time he’s finding time to playing golf with @markaroo (lead singer of Midland) and the one and only Arkansas troubadour @dylanearl.music

Photo: Mike Dunn

The EP comes out on September 9th 2022 although the final mix was done in January of this year. JT is excited to get this music out to the world. It’s a big step forward musically from his previous albums “Trails & Stimulation” (2008), “Past The Lights Of Town” (2015) and “Westward” (2020). JT never wants to put out the same album twice and takes inspiration from some of his favourite bands who stayed ahead of the curve and make new sounds to engage the audience.

Photo: CloudwatcherUno

JT is always looking to constantly refresh his music continuously to inspire his music and art and keep it all fresh. JT says that music is his forte and it was only after speaking to another artist who said that he needed to have other artistic endeavours such as photography. So he practised for over 3 years with his camera in hand taking photographs on the road and at his DJ residency. JT’s passion allows his creativity to stretch himself as a artist and musician.

Photo: Neil Perry

We talk about what it means to be a musician in this day and age when singers become Tik Tok famous but it doesn’t translate to the real world of live gigs and touring that traditional artists have gone through as a right of passage into the world of music.

Photo: CloudwatcherUno

JT’s next single release from the EP is “Texas” co-written with Jess Carson from Midland Then JT will be on tour with William Clark Green in September 2022 and will be promoting the EP and the singles out on the road.

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring JT. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.