Editing Honky-tonk (section)

=== Regional variations ===

[[File:Honky Tonk Regional Variation USA Map.png|thumb| A USA map featuring the four states that influenced Honky Tonk: Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and California]]

Although honky tonk music is often associated with the [[American South]], it took on unique regional characteristics in different parts of the [[United States]]. Those characteristics were manifested from how local cultures, histories, and migration patterns influenced the sound, style, and settings of honky tonk in key areas.

Honky tonk made its first appearance in the oil boom towns and cattle-driving regions of [[Texas]], [[Oklahoma]], and [[Louisiana]]. Over time, it spread west to [[California]] and gained national attention through the music industry which was centered in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. Ranging from lyrical themes to dance styles, each of these regions contributed unique features to the honky tonk tradition.

# '''Oklahoma''' –  [[Dust Bowl]] migration and multi-ethnic musical influences shaped the honky tonk sound in this region. Electric instruments were adopted early on to cut through bar noise, and artists like [[Johnny Bond]] and [[Wanda Jackson]] began their careers here.<ref name="OKHist">{{Cite web|url=https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=CO072|title=Country Music – Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture|publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society}}</ref>
# '''Texas''' – [[Texas]] honky tonk evolved around rural dancehalls and [[cowboy]] culture. [[Bob Wills]], [[Ernest Tubb]], and many others defined the electrified, rhythm-driven sound here. [[Dancehall]] traditions and [[Two-step (dance move)]] also played a major role in shaping the [[Texas]] honky tonk identity.<ref name="OKHist" /> [[File: MerleHaggardJun09.jpg |thumb| Merle Haggard, an American country music songwriter, singer, and musician (1937–2016)]]
# '''California (Bakersfield)''' – In the 1960s, children of [[Oklahoma]] and [[Texas]] migrants living in [[California]] pushed back against the polished [[Nashville Sound]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sites.dwrl.utexas.edu/countrymusic/the-history/the-nashville-sound/|title=The Nashville Sound – The History of Country Music|website=University of Texas|access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/music/nashville-sound-music|title=Nashville Sound – Music Research Starter|publisher=EBSCO|access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref> and created the grittier [[Bakersfield Sound]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://visitbakersfield.com/things-to-do/music-entertainment/bakersfield-sound/|title=The Bakersfield Sound|publisher=Visit Bakersfield|access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/country-music/bakersfield-sound-branches-of-country-music|title=The Bakersfield Sound – PBS Country Music|publisher=PBS|access-date=April 5, 2025}}</ref> Artists like [[Merle Haggard]] became known for their stripped-down, working-class take on honky tonk.<ref name="OKHist" /> 
# '''Tennessee (Nashville)''' – While honky tonk was born in bars, [[Nashville]] helped bring it to national audiences through venues like the [[Grand Ole Opry]]. Over time, however, the rise of the [[Nashville Sound]] led to a more polished and commercial version of country music that some saw as a departure from honky tonk’s roots.<ref name="OKHist" />