Honky Tonks Where Country Learned To Stomp

posted in: Country • Music News

Take a look at this alley right here.

Unassuming, a little grimy and out of the way, it looks like any other alley in any city on the planet. Really, based on the surface features, what more can you say?

It’s an alley.

But looks can be deceiving. This alley, as pedestrian as it looks, holds a bit of importance, at least in the history of country music. This particular stretch of concrete, found in Nashville, TN, runs alongside the famous Ryman Auditorium, perhaps better known as the home of the Grand Ole Opry, the most famous institution of country and western musical performance. The alley storied history comes from it’s use as a designated safe haven for country music fans. Coming from the Ryman or one of the bars  along 4th and 5th avenue in Nashville, the alley was a place for folks to “whoop and holler”. Revelers, intoxicated by the music and the libations they may have just consumed, could come out to this alley and make all the noise they wanted without really bothering anyone. And this alley, recognized as a historic location, is getting a facelift.

As part of a six month project, city officials in Nashville are updating the alley, improving its use for the businesses in the area and making it more appealing to the number of tourists who visit the side street every year. Hearing about this story made us think about some of the other famous landmarks of country music, and not necessarily the best known ones. Sorry, Dollywood.

Floyd’s Country Store

Based in Ronaoke, VA, Floyd’s Country Store is certainly rich with history. Having recently celebrated their centennial anniversary, Floyd’s is going as strong as ever. First beginning as a local community depot, the store became a haven for country music in the mid ’80s when two of the previous owners,  both bluegrass music enthusiasts and players, would practice in the store on Friday nights during off hours. Hearing the music from outside, passersby would frequently ask to be let to check out the performance. Pretty soon this developed into a full fledged Friday night jamboree which still goes on to this day. This jamboree has led to Floyd’s reputation as one of the top bluegrass venues in the nation. Not only that, but Floyd’s has one of the best offerings of Americana and bluegrass music for sale in their store in the country. Oh, and they’re also still a regular community store as well.

The Tractor Tavern

Now that we’ve spent some time in the South, let’s go find where the country resides in the Pacific Northwest. While Seattle may not seem like a haven for country, it seems that The Tractor Tavern has found a niche for itself amongst the grungy indie rockers. The Tractor was initially famous for hosting performances in the ’90s from the likes of alt-country icons like Ryan Adams and the inimitable Emmylou Harris. Walls adorned with cowboy boots and tractor tires make for fitting decor at the bar and oh, did we mention square dancing? Yes, the bar hosts a bi-monthly square dancing night on Mondays. All that put together makes the Tractor Tavern the place you’re most likely to seeing country and cosmopolitan mix in harmony. Expect big hats and belt buckles mixing with ironic t-shirts and iPhones in equal measure.

The Blackboard

Finally, lets talk about The Blackboard. While the tavern is sadly no longer in operation it”along with several other notable honky tonks in downtown Bakersfield, CA”helped foster The Bakersfield Sound, scene which helped produce the likes of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Seen as a direct reaction to the music coming out of Nashville in the 1950s, The Bakersfield Sound was characterized by a sensibility influenced by rock ‘n’ roll of the day and featured more high-pitched, jangly instrumentation. The Blackboard was renowned during this time as one of the rowdiest and most rambunctious of the local honky tonks and while the original may no longer be around, Bakersfield still has a number of country music dives to visit. The Trout, a local bar and venue, notably features the Blackboard Stages in honor of the legendary club.

Do you think we missed any famous country spots? Let us know in the comments!