Synopses & Reviews
In the 1970s, Henry Horenstein was a young photographer who shot album covers for Rounder Records. In his off-hours, he immersed himself in country music at the show venues, music parks, and the rural saloons that coursed with the music and its rough-and-tumble lifestyle, otherwise known as honky tonks. With over 100 incomparable duotone photographs, Honky Tonk captures the heart of the country music experience during a period of transition, as the friendly familiarity of the scene -- from the huge hall of the Grand Ole Opry to the family vacation camps -- took on a more commercial polish. Disarming portraits of legends such as Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, and Waylon Jennings brush up against shots of the workaday fans who kept the scene alive. Offering an intimate glimpse into country music as it was performed and enjoyed, these photographs capture a true slice of American life where artists and fans converged to enjoy music and strut their stuff.
Synopsis
With over 100 incomparable duotone photos, "Honky Tonk" captures the heart of the country music experience during a period of transition, as the friendly familiarity of the scene--from the huge hall of the Grand Ole Opry to the family vacation camps--took on a more commercial polish.
Synopsis
A candid, affectionate glimpse into the real country music scene as it was performed and lived, Honky Tonk is a parade through the early years of future great performers and already established legends.
About the Author
Henry Horenstein has exhibited his photographs internationally and published over 30 books. He lives in Boston.
Charles F. McGovern is a cultural history curator at the Smithsonian Institution.
Eddie Stubbs is the WSM Grand Ole Opry announcer in Nashville.