honky-tonk
thumb| Tootsie's Orchid Lounge is the oldest honky-tonk in Nashville, Tennessee. A honky-tonk (also called honkatonk, honkey-tonk, honky tonk, or tonk) is either a bar that provides country music for the entertainment of its patrons or the style of music played in such establishments. It can also refer to the type of piano (tack piano) used to play such music. Bars of this kind are common in the South and Southwest United States. Many prominent country music artists such as Jimmie Rodgers, Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Horton and Merle Haggard began their care
Article
15 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- History
- Origins of the establishment
- Regional variations
- Evolution of venues
- Notable bars and landmarks
- Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
- Gilley's Nightclub
- Billy Bob's Texas
- Gruene Hall
- Dancing and cultural significance
- Music
- See also
- References
- Bibliography
thumb| Tootsie's Orchid Lounge is the oldest honky-tonk in Nashville, Tennessee. A honky-tonk (also called honkatonk, honkey-tonk, honky tonk, or tonk) is either a bar that provides country music for the entertainment of its patrons or the style of music played in such establishments. It can also refer to the type of piano (tack piano) used to play such music. Bars of this kind are common in the South and Southwest United States. Many prominent country music artists such as Jimmie Rodgers, Ernest Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Horton and Merle Haggard began their careers as amateur musicians in honky-tonks.
The origin of the term "honky-tonk" is disputed, originally referring to bawdy variety shows in areas of the old West (Oklahoma, the Indian Territories and mostly Texas) and to the actual theaters showing them.