PRESS
Katie and the Honky Tonks Ain’t No Shame Self-Release IOWA, you know I’m here stay….. but you better have a honky tonk somewhere, someday’ are the closing lyrics on the debut album by four-piece band, Katie and The Honky Tonks.
Indie, pop and rock may be the most popular genres in Iowa City, but with the slow but steady growing popularity for honky tonk outside the traditional country heartlands, band leader Kaie Jo’s wish should be granted sooner rather than later. The other band members are Brian John McCarty (bass, backing vocals), Bryan Hendrickson (guitars, lap steel, backing vocals) and Luke Jerry (drums).
Recorded live to tape at Catamount Recording Studio in Cedar Falls, Iowa and co-produced by Travis Huisman and the four band members, it is their debut full-length album following the release of their 2024 EP TWO STEPPIN’ IN THE SHOWER.
A degree of continuity appears in the songwriting. The ballad Slow Down Honey is a red flag warning to a less than attentive suitor; Boo Hoo could be the next phase in that relationship, and Bye Bye Birdie the final instalment. Women of Country takes a similar stance to that of Loretta Lynn half a century ago, a reminder of the talent of the fairer sex in a still male-dominated industry. High-spirited Ain’t No Shame offers the thumbs up to the partying women types, and the two-stepper Dance Hall continues in that thread of dance-friendly songs.
The real winner here is how the songs come together. The vital ingredients of powerful singing and slick playing gel perfectly, and Katie and the Honky Tonks join the ever-growing canon of women like Summer Dean, Emily Nenni, Sarah Gayle Meech and Kimmi Bitter, to name but a few, that are representing genuine honky tonk music.
lonesomehighway.com
Indie, pop and rock may be the most popular genres in Iowa City, but with the slow but steady growing popularity for honky tonk outside the traditional country heartlands, band leader Kaie Jo’s wish should be granted sooner rather than later. The other band members are Brian John McCarty (bass, backing vocals), Bryan Hendrickson (guitars, lap steel, backing vocals) and Luke Jerry (drums).
Recorded live to tape at Catamount Recording Studio in Cedar Falls, Iowa and co-produced by Travis Huisman and the four band members, it is their debut full-length album following the release of their 2024 EP TWO STEPPIN’ IN THE SHOWER.
A degree of continuity appears in the songwriting. The ballad Slow Down Honey is a red flag warning to a less than attentive suitor; Boo Hoo could be the next phase in that relationship, and Bye Bye Birdie the final instalment. Women of Country takes a similar stance to that of Loretta Lynn half a century ago, a reminder of the talent of the fairer sex in a still male-dominated industry. High-spirited Ain’t No Shame offers the thumbs up to the partying women types, and the two-stepper Dance Hall continues in that thread of dance-friendly songs.
The real winner here is how the songs come together. The vital ingredients of powerful singing and slick playing gel perfectly, and Katie and the Honky Tonks join the ever-growing canon of women like Summer Dean, Emily Nenni, Sarah Gayle Meech and Kimmi Bitter, to name but a few, that are representing genuine honky tonk music.
lonesomehighway.com
We at Twangville are excited to be premiering a song by Katie and the Honky Tonks. The song is off of their highly anticipated debut album, Ain’t No Shame, out June 27th. The title of the song is Women of Country Music and it will be released on June 6th. This track is pure Classic Country that could have been plucked right out of the 1950s. It is an anthem for both celebrating the trailblazing women of the past and paving the way for future generations in country music. The song openly pays homage to Kitty Wells It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels, which was the 1952 answer song to the Hank Thompson hit The Wild Side of Life. Not only was the song the first Number 1 Billboard country hit for a solo woman artist, but it laid the foundation for Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Dolly and the many other women who would call out cheating men. Take the chorus from Women of Country Music, “Well I may be a lady but I can sure as hell sing a country song. Like the women who came before me singing bout the men who done them wrong. If they call me a honky tonk angel, well I’m damn sure gonna lose it. Here’s to the Women of Country Music.” Katie and the Honky Tonks are an Iowa-based honky tonk band. They’ve toured with Emily Nenni, Ian Munsick and have played numerous country music fests. I expect to see them even more after this upcoming album catches momentum.
twangville.com
twangville.com
We’re thrilled to premiere “Slowdown Honey,” the latest single from Waterloo, Iowa-based band Katie and the Honky Tonks, ahead of their debut album Ain’t No Shame, set to release on June 27th. The slowest and most vulnerable track on the record, “Slowdown Honey” showcases the band’s ability to produce emotionally rich, timeless country music with a hint of their Midwestern roots.
A slow-burning honky tonk ballad, the track pulls no punches when it comes to heartache. From the first notes of Katie’s vocals, you’re transported to the corner of a dimly lit bar, where the last slow song of the night stirs up memories you’d long forgotten. You can almost feel the worn hardwood floors beneath your feet and see the faint glow of the dusty jukebox in the corner.
With an emotional melody, sorrowful sounds of the lap steel, and harmonies that cut deep, “Slowdown Honey” leans into a sparse arrangement that lets its emotions take center stage. The lap steel, Telecaster, and vulnerable vocals work together to build a stripped-down sound that lingers long after the final note.
And with lyrics like:
"I trusted you with all my heart, sharing every single ugly part,
revealing all my hard times just to get kicked in the backside,
that was never part of the plan" — the pain feels both deeply personal and familiar.
“Slowdown Honey” is sure to strike a chord with anyone who’s been on the losing side of love. If classic country is your thing, Katie and the Honky Tonks belong on your radar. The single drops this Friday, April 18th, on all streaming platforms, and you can pre-order Ain’t No Shame at the link below.
turnuptheamp.com
A slow-burning honky tonk ballad, the track pulls no punches when it comes to heartache. From the first notes of Katie’s vocals, you’re transported to the corner of a dimly lit bar, where the last slow song of the night stirs up memories you’d long forgotten. You can almost feel the worn hardwood floors beneath your feet and see the faint glow of the dusty jukebox in the corner.
With an emotional melody, sorrowful sounds of the lap steel, and harmonies that cut deep, “Slowdown Honey” leans into a sparse arrangement that lets its emotions take center stage. The lap steel, Telecaster, and vulnerable vocals work together to build a stripped-down sound that lingers long after the final note.
And with lyrics like:
"I trusted you with all my heart, sharing every single ugly part,
revealing all my hard times just to get kicked in the backside,
that was never part of the plan" — the pain feels both deeply personal and familiar.
“Slowdown Honey” is sure to strike a chord with anyone who’s been on the losing side of love. If classic country is your thing, Katie and the Honky Tonks belong on your radar. The single drops this Friday, April 18th, on all streaming platforms, and you can pre-order Ain’t No Shame at the link below.
turnuptheamp.com
Katie and the Honky Tonks (KTHT) continue to redefine modern honky tonk with their latest emotional masterpiece, “Slowdown Honey.” The slowest and most vulnerable track on their highly anticipated debut album, Ain’t No Shame, this song cements KTHT’s reputation as purveyors of heartfelt, timeless country music.
“Slowdown Honey” is a quintessential honky tonk heartache ballad. Featuring a tear-jerking melody, mournful lap steel, and harmonies that cut straight to the bone, the song delivers a raw, unfiltered portrait of love and betrayal. Katie’s emotive vocal performance soars with vulnerability as she sings:
“I trusted you with all my heart, sharing every single ugly part, revealing all my hard times just to get kicked in the backside, that was never part of the plan.”
“Slowdown Honey reflects on feelings of betrayal and disappointment in a relationship. I express hidden struggles and vulnerabilities, trusting friends with my deepest feelings, only to be hurt in return. Slowdown Honey is a plea for people to reconsider their actions and recognize the damage they may be causing. Emphasizing the risk of losing something valuable.” Katie
With its timeless sound and poignant storytelling, “Slowdown Honey” promises to become a go-to anthem for anyone who’s ever felt alone or heartbroken. Fans can experience the full spectrum of KTHT’s honky tonk brilliance when Ain’t No Shame is released on June 27th 2025.
About Katie and the Honky Tonks:
Katie and the Honky Tonks is a honky tonk band from Waterloo, lowa, known for their emotive storytelling, classic country melodies, and captivating performances. Their upcoming debut album, Ain’t No Shame, follows the success of their acclaimed EP, Two-Steppin’ in the Shower.
completecountry.ca
“Slowdown Honey” is a quintessential honky tonk heartache ballad. Featuring a tear-jerking melody, mournful lap steel, and harmonies that cut straight to the bone, the song delivers a raw, unfiltered portrait of love and betrayal. Katie’s emotive vocal performance soars with vulnerability as she sings:
“I trusted you with all my heart, sharing every single ugly part, revealing all my hard times just to get kicked in the backside, that was never part of the plan.”
“Slowdown Honey reflects on feelings of betrayal and disappointment in a relationship. I express hidden struggles and vulnerabilities, trusting friends with my deepest feelings, only to be hurt in return. Slowdown Honey is a plea for people to reconsider their actions and recognize the damage they may be causing. Emphasizing the risk of losing something valuable.” Katie
With its timeless sound and poignant storytelling, “Slowdown Honey” promises to become a go-to anthem for anyone who’s ever felt alone or heartbroken. Fans can experience the full spectrum of KTHT’s honky tonk brilliance when Ain’t No Shame is released on June 27th 2025.
About Katie and the Honky Tonks:
Katie and the Honky Tonks is a honky tonk band from Waterloo, lowa, known for their emotive storytelling, classic country melodies, and captivating performances. Their upcoming debut album, Ain’t No Shame, follows the success of their acclaimed EP, Two-Steppin’ in the Shower.
completecountry.ca
Americana Highways is hosting this premiere of Katie and the Honky Tonks’ song “Dancehall” from their forthcoming album Ain’t No Shame, which is set for release on June 27. “Dancehall” will be available on March 21. Aint’ No Shame was produced, mixed, and mastered by Travis Huisman at Catamount Recording Studio in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Musicians on “Dancehall” are Katie Jo on vocals and acoustic guitar; Brian John McCarty on bass and backing vocals; Bryan Hendrickson on lead guitar and backing vocals; and Luke Jerry on drums. Fresh honky tonk music and a powerful winsome vocal track leads the way on this song of new possibilities and dancing in the light of anticipation. Sometimes escaping into a honky tonk dance is just exactly what you need to escape the rest of the world around you, and for this we prescribe Katie and the Honky Tonks.
“Dancehall” was written during our residency at the historic DanceMor Ballroom in Swisher, Iowa. The lyrics celebrate a fun, flirtatious night of dancing, the thrill of meeting someone new, and the joy of expressing oneself through movement. It’s a playful invitation to let loose, embrace the moment, and enjoy life on the dance floor. Katie Jo – singer KTHT
americanahighways.org
Musicians on “Dancehall” are Katie Jo on vocals and acoustic guitar; Brian John McCarty on bass and backing vocals; Bryan Hendrickson on lead guitar and backing vocals; and Luke Jerry on drums. Fresh honky tonk music and a powerful winsome vocal track leads the way on this song of new possibilities and dancing in the light of anticipation. Sometimes escaping into a honky tonk dance is just exactly what you need to escape the rest of the world around you, and for this we prescribe Katie and the Honky Tonks.
“Dancehall” was written during our residency at the historic DanceMor Ballroom in Swisher, Iowa. The lyrics celebrate a fun, flirtatious night of dancing, the thrill of meeting someone new, and the joy of expressing oneself through movement. It’s a playful invitation to let loose, embrace the moment, and enjoy life on the dance floor. Katie Jo – singer KTHT
americanahighways.org
“‘Mind Your Business’ came into fruition after years of participating in the social media game. From witnessing one meaningless argument over the internet to the next. We all have opinions, but what entitles us to think our opinion is 1) correct, and 2) needs to be spoken publicly? Minding our own business is something we all could do a little more of, myself included. Like the song says, if it ain’t hurtin’ anyone then why don’t you just let me have my fun? I think that’s a mantra that we could all live by.” – Katie Jo
thebluegrasssituation.com
thebluegrasssituation.com
TRAER – It may not be a honky-tonky dancehall, but on Wednesday, June 25, Traer Ripley United Church of Christ’s The Parsonage pulled out all the steps — root beer floats included — to welcome Tama County native Katie (née Wedmore) Sires of Katie and the Honky Tonks (KTHT) as part of the music venue’s 2025 summer lineup.
Following a bevy of talented open mic acts including the Waterloo-based string band Jam Busters, singer-songwriter Sires along with guitarist Jesse Cotton performed to a densely-packed house all but one song from their debut, 11-track album “Ain’t No Shame” which officially dropped two days later on June 27.
Those lucky enough to have snagged a seat inside The Parsonage’s Great Room — the concert was moved inside due to excessive heat — experienced roughly 45-minutes of Sires and Cotton rolling out original song after original song of classic country music that would be right at home on the Grand Ole Opry stage some 50-60 years ago. Much of the inspiration for the album came from a residency Sires and her former bandmates (KTHT recently underwent a complete roster shakeup) held for much of 2024 at the historic DanceMor Ballroom in Swisher.
“So, Swisher, Iowa, there’s a 120-year-old ballroom there and we wrote this song about it,” Sires said while introducing “Dancehall,” the fourth song on the new record.
“Basically every time we played there, no one came,” she added dryly but with a glint in her eye, drawing hearty laughter from the audience including her husband and band manager Luke Sires, a North Tama Class of 2002 alum. “Since no one was there we had plenty of time to write a bunch of songs. So that’s how, basically, this whole album was written.”
If no one truly did show up to the band’s performances in Swisher, it is a darn shame because Sires’ voice is so rich and so nuanced, nothing short of the word “symphony” seems appropriate as a descriptor. And while the new album does a good job showcasing her arousing vocals, hearing Sires perform live is a must for those who have not yet had the privilege.
“Well, I may be a lady, but I can sure as hell sing a country song. Like the women who came before me singing about the men who done ’em wrong,” she sang while performing her album’s sixth track, “Women of Country Music.”
Several ‘women who came before’ instantly come to mind while listening to Sires including Emmylou Harris, Patsy Cline, and even, at times, the distinctive June Carter Cash. Sires’ clear mezzo-soprano is laced with a honey twang that can both soar and also scrape deep.
The song continues, “I was born and raised on my traditional small-town roots. I’m real proud of my Midwestern ways and all the scuff marks on my boots. I’m more than a pretty face, yeah, I got me a song to sing. So look out, boys, make way for your Honky Tonk Queen.”
With her curly red hair and retro western outfits, Sires’ look is certainly part of the ‘Honky Tonk Queen’ package, but she makes clear through her songwriting she hasn’t forgotten where she hails from. The penultimate song she and Cotton – both members of the Gladbrook-Reinbeck Class of 2004 – performed Wednesday night, “Honky Tonk in IOWA,” stood as an earworm anthem for her state while also making the case that honky-tonk deserves to be a bigger part of the music scene here.
“All the good old boys at the local dive have seemed to all gone away. Sitting at the bar, drinking PBR is how they seem to spend their days. With all of the empty stages, just waiting for a band to come and play,” the song begins before moving to the chorus where Sires belts with easy confidence, “So tell me where can I find a honky tonk in Iowa?”
One of the best performances of the night was perhaps Sires and Cotton’s rendition of the album’s third track, “Slow Down Honey,” a wailing, twangy, two-step ballad in which Sires more than proves her vocal talents. Cotton was also given the chance to shine during several instrumental breaks.
Two nights after The Parsonage sneak peek, KTHT held an official album release party while performing at the Cedar Basin Music Festival in Cedar Falls.
“Blood, sweat [and] tears went into this record,” Sires wrote on social media, announcing the album drop. “Well, maybe not blood but a lot of tears and a helluva lot of sweat for sure! Truly a dream come true!”
She went on to thank those who helped bring the album to life including her husband Luke (who also plays drums for KTHT), family, friends, and fans, before shouting out her newest bandmates – Cotton, previously a member of the Gladbrook-based band Hideaway Honey, and Johnny Love – proclaiming, “Both are fire and bring the passion!”
BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER - www.northtamatelegraph.com
Following a bevy of talented open mic acts including the Waterloo-based string band Jam Busters, singer-songwriter Sires along with guitarist Jesse Cotton performed to a densely-packed house all but one song from their debut, 11-track album “Ain’t No Shame” which officially dropped two days later on June 27.
Those lucky enough to have snagged a seat inside The Parsonage’s Great Room — the concert was moved inside due to excessive heat — experienced roughly 45-minutes of Sires and Cotton rolling out original song after original song of classic country music that would be right at home on the Grand Ole Opry stage some 50-60 years ago. Much of the inspiration for the album came from a residency Sires and her former bandmates (KTHT recently underwent a complete roster shakeup) held for much of 2024 at the historic DanceMor Ballroom in Swisher.
“So, Swisher, Iowa, there’s a 120-year-old ballroom there and we wrote this song about it,” Sires said while introducing “Dancehall,” the fourth song on the new record.
“Basically every time we played there, no one came,” she added dryly but with a glint in her eye, drawing hearty laughter from the audience including her husband and band manager Luke Sires, a North Tama Class of 2002 alum. “Since no one was there we had plenty of time to write a bunch of songs. So that’s how, basically, this whole album was written.”
If no one truly did show up to the band’s performances in Swisher, it is a darn shame because Sires’ voice is so rich and so nuanced, nothing short of the word “symphony” seems appropriate as a descriptor. And while the new album does a good job showcasing her arousing vocals, hearing Sires perform live is a must for those who have not yet had the privilege.
“Well, I may be a lady, but I can sure as hell sing a country song. Like the women who came before me singing about the men who done ’em wrong,” she sang while performing her album’s sixth track, “Women of Country Music.”
Several ‘women who came before’ instantly come to mind while listening to Sires including Emmylou Harris, Patsy Cline, and even, at times, the distinctive June Carter Cash. Sires’ clear mezzo-soprano is laced with a honey twang that can both soar and also scrape deep.
The song continues, “I was born and raised on my traditional small-town roots. I’m real proud of my Midwestern ways and all the scuff marks on my boots. I’m more than a pretty face, yeah, I got me a song to sing. So look out, boys, make way for your Honky Tonk Queen.”
With her curly red hair and retro western outfits, Sires’ look is certainly part of the ‘Honky Tonk Queen’ package, but she makes clear through her songwriting she hasn’t forgotten where she hails from. The penultimate song she and Cotton – both members of the Gladbrook-Reinbeck Class of 2004 – performed Wednesday night, “Honky Tonk in IOWA,” stood as an earworm anthem for her state while also making the case that honky-tonk deserves to be a bigger part of the music scene here.
“All the good old boys at the local dive have seemed to all gone away. Sitting at the bar, drinking PBR is how they seem to spend their days. With all of the empty stages, just waiting for a band to come and play,” the song begins before moving to the chorus where Sires belts with easy confidence, “So tell me where can I find a honky tonk in Iowa?”
One of the best performances of the night was perhaps Sires and Cotton’s rendition of the album’s third track, “Slow Down Honey,” a wailing, twangy, two-step ballad in which Sires more than proves her vocal talents. Cotton was also given the chance to shine during several instrumental breaks.
Two nights after The Parsonage sneak peek, KTHT held an official album release party while performing at the Cedar Basin Music Festival in Cedar Falls.
“Blood, sweat [and] tears went into this record,” Sires wrote on social media, announcing the album drop. “Well, maybe not blood but a lot of tears and a helluva lot of sweat for sure! Truly a dream come true!”
She went on to thank those who helped bring the album to life including her husband Luke (who also plays drums for KTHT), family, friends, and fans, before shouting out her newest bandmates – Cotton, previously a member of the Gladbrook-based band Hideaway Honey, and Johnny Love – proclaiming, “Both are fire and bring the passion!”
BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER - www.northtamatelegraph.com
Where can you find a honky tonk in Iowa?
Katie Sires, the lead singer and chief songwriter of the Cedar Valley country band that bears her name, asks that question on the closing track of the band’s forthcoming debut album.
The answer, it turns out, is anywhere in Iowa where Katie and the Honky Tonks happen to be playing.
Every show offers Sires and her bandmates a chance to show off their honky tonk vibe, from their vintage sound to their Western stage attire and their two-stepping moves. The band's new album, titled Ain’t No Shame, delivers a heaping of 1960s country goods, with twanging guitars, pedal steel and Nashville-influenced vocal harmonies.
The band's commitment to classic honky tonk means they stick out like a sore fiddle in a regional country music landscape more likely to favor Morgan Wallen lookalikes over Loretta Lynn devotees. Sires hints at that dilemma on the album’s final track, titled “Honky Tonk in Iowa.”
“I-O-W-A you know I’m here to stay, but I pray you’ll have a honky tonk someday,” she laments. The lyrics note that Iowans have to drive a few hours to Chicago or Nebraska to find an honest-to-goodness honky tonk club.
“What I was thinking when I wrote that was, man, I wish there was a cool live music venue in Iowa that specialized in traditional old-school country music, with two stepping and bluegrass and things like that, that drew people from outside of Iowa,” Sires shared during a recent interview.
Perhaps no such place exists on Iowa soil, but a Katie and the Honky Tonks gig is a pretty good substitute.
Sires and her bandmates, which includes husband Luke on drums, are so devoted to building a honky tonk culture they sometimes offer free two-stepping lessons before their shows. They learned the basics of the two step from Emily Nenni, a nationally touring country artist who has shared performance dates with Katie and the Honky Tonks.
Katie also scours vintage clothing stores and websites for authentic Western attire for each member of the band. She keeps track of everyone’s size to make sure each pearl-snap shirt and cowboy-cut jean hits just the right spot. After all, an act’s look can make a difference — especially at festivals where fans have multiple stage options vying for their attention. Sometimes having an interesting look can draw a second glance from passing concertgoers. Then it’s up to the music to keep their attention.
The new 11-track album was recorded at Catamount Recordings in Cedar Falls, with Travis Huisman engineering and co-producing. The album includes four songs previously released as part of a 2024 EP, along with seven new tracks.
Among the highlights of the album is “Dance Hall,” which tells the story of a rendezvous between a lonely narrator and a mysterious cowboy at a rowdy honky tonk. Harmony singers repeat the last words of each verse in an uncanny imitation of the Jordanaires.
“I said ooh I think you’re gonna like it, so come on and step this way,” Sires flirts during the chorus. “If a-honkin’ and tonkin’ don’t come naturally, don’t worry daddy, hold onto me.”
The band has undergone a steady series of personnel changes since its inception, but Katie and Luke Sires have remained constant as the nucleus. While the lineup carousel has kept the band from booking as many shows as they would like, Luke feels that the current personnel seem to have gelled, and they're ready to make a splash supporting the new record.
“The new lineup is really awesome because we can finally go out and say yes to every show we want to,” Luke Sires said. “We just want to get the honky tonk out there because we think you really need to see it to get that definitive experience.”
Katie added, “I just want to show people that country music can come out now and not sound like what you hear on the radio ... I want people to feel Loretta Lynne vibes, Patsy Cline vibes, Margo Price vibes. But really we’re trying to just get that really old school sound.”
Fred Love - Iowa Public Radio
Katie Sires, the lead singer and chief songwriter of the Cedar Valley country band that bears her name, asks that question on the closing track of the band’s forthcoming debut album.
The answer, it turns out, is anywhere in Iowa where Katie and the Honky Tonks happen to be playing.
Every show offers Sires and her bandmates a chance to show off their honky tonk vibe, from their vintage sound to their Western stage attire and their two-stepping moves. The band's new album, titled Ain’t No Shame, delivers a heaping of 1960s country goods, with twanging guitars, pedal steel and Nashville-influenced vocal harmonies.
The band's commitment to classic honky tonk means they stick out like a sore fiddle in a regional country music landscape more likely to favor Morgan Wallen lookalikes over Loretta Lynn devotees. Sires hints at that dilemma on the album’s final track, titled “Honky Tonk in Iowa.”
“I-O-W-A you know I’m here to stay, but I pray you’ll have a honky tonk someday,” she laments. The lyrics note that Iowans have to drive a few hours to Chicago or Nebraska to find an honest-to-goodness honky tonk club.
“What I was thinking when I wrote that was, man, I wish there was a cool live music venue in Iowa that specialized in traditional old-school country music, with two stepping and bluegrass and things like that, that drew people from outside of Iowa,” Sires shared during a recent interview.
Perhaps no such place exists on Iowa soil, but a Katie and the Honky Tonks gig is a pretty good substitute.
Sires and her bandmates, which includes husband Luke on drums, are so devoted to building a honky tonk culture they sometimes offer free two-stepping lessons before their shows. They learned the basics of the two step from Emily Nenni, a nationally touring country artist who has shared performance dates with Katie and the Honky Tonks.
Katie also scours vintage clothing stores and websites for authentic Western attire for each member of the band. She keeps track of everyone’s size to make sure each pearl-snap shirt and cowboy-cut jean hits just the right spot. After all, an act’s look can make a difference — especially at festivals where fans have multiple stage options vying for their attention. Sometimes having an interesting look can draw a second glance from passing concertgoers. Then it’s up to the music to keep their attention.
The new 11-track album was recorded at Catamount Recordings in Cedar Falls, with Travis Huisman engineering and co-producing. The album includes four songs previously released as part of a 2024 EP, along with seven new tracks.
Among the highlights of the album is “Dance Hall,” which tells the story of a rendezvous between a lonely narrator and a mysterious cowboy at a rowdy honky tonk. Harmony singers repeat the last words of each verse in an uncanny imitation of the Jordanaires.
“I said ooh I think you’re gonna like it, so come on and step this way,” Sires flirts during the chorus. “If a-honkin’ and tonkin’ don’t come naturally, don’t worry daddy, hold onto me.”
The band has undergone a steady series of personnel changes since its inception, but Katie and Luke Sires have remained constant as the nucleus. While the lineup carousel has kept the band from booking as many shows as they would like, Luke feels that the current personnel seem to have gelled, and they're ready to make a splash supporting the new record.
“The new lineup is really awesome because we can finally go out and say yes to every show we want to,” Luke Sires said. “We just want to get the honky tonk out there because we think you really need to see it to get that definitive experience.”
Katie added, “I just want to show people that country music can come out now and not sound like what you hear on the radio ... I want people to feel Loretta Lynne vibes, Patsy Cline vibes, Margo Price vibes. But really we’re trying to just get that really old school sound.”
Fred Love - Iowa Public Radio
REINBECK – Not even three weeks had elapsed since their blazing debut album “Ain’t No Shame” started tearing up the music press, when classic country band Katie and the Honky Tonks (KTHT) were back at it on rooted ground – playing for the first time on Thursday, July 17 at The Dig Inn in Reinbeck where three of the four band members graduated high school over two decades ago.
Led by singer-songwriter Katie (née Wedmore) Sires who grew up in Gladbrook – where her folks once upon a time ran one of the best supper clubs this side of Wisconsin, the Uptown Lounge & Supper Club – KTHT packed The Dig Inn’s back patio to nearly the alley curb as they performed all 11 of their debut album’s songs plus a few other honky-tonk tunes.
Prior to their performance, singer-songwriter Travis Feutz of Columbia, Mo. along with his gentle, honest guitar provided the opener, playing a comforting selection of traditional cowboy songs.
“Well my crime is being a honky tonk man. And I’m guilty of leading a honky tonk band. But the songs and the music live deep in my soul. Country music’s my prison, I’m doing life without parole,” he sang, performing his penultimate song “Life Without Parole” off his 2021 album “Country Music Forever.”
Feutz was a fitting opener for KTHT as he shares songwriting credits with Katie on “Women of Country Music,” track No. 6 on “Ain’t No Shame” and one of the best showcases for Katie’s distinct, honey twang of a voice that could probably convince most anyone – even those who’ve never heard of a Texas two-step or haven’t a clue what a pair of Tony Lamas are – into throwing out all their clothes and hobbies to take up the honky-tonky lifestyle.
As the sun that evening in Reinbeck set perfectly behind the band, a warm, golden light enhanced the retro, country western vibe. The show was only the third time all four bandmates had ever performed together live after KTHT underwent a complete roster overhaul earlier this year. In addition to Katie (Gladbrook-Reinbeck Class of 2004), the band includes Katie’s husband and band manager Luke Sires (North Tama Class of 2002) who handles drums, and fellow G-R Class of 2004 graduates Jesse Cotton and Johnny Love who play guitar/bass guitar while also providing backing vocals.
Following the show, the band stayed late into the night at The Dig Inn to visit with friends, family, and supporters alike.
When asked if they’d keep coming back in the months (and hopefully years) ahead as their album continues to flare ever higher with both a fall public television special and a 2026 tour on tap, Luke, who partially grew up on a goat farm, didn’t hesitate in his answer.
“We’re loyal to the soil,” he replied with a tip of his cowboy hat.
BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER - www.sun-courier.com.com
Copyright 2026 Katie and the Honky Tonks