Listening to Warner Music Nashville’s William Beckmann is always a knockout, and today’s release of “Honky Tonk Blue” is no exception. Produced by Jon Randall, the track features Beckmann’s soulful, honeyed baritone and was written by Chris Stapleton and Brice Long. The addition to his version of vibrant, modern-day “magnificently country” (Music Row) music that also pays tribute to what came before can now be heard HERE.
“Stapleton sang the original demo. The song had a lot of soul but was super stripped down, it sounded like something you'd hear on a back porch in Kentucky," says Beckmann. "I tried to put my own spin on it and make it sound like a half-drunk Texas bar band at Gruene Hall on a Friday night. I’d consider it the most country song I’ve recorded in a while.”
The "Honky Tonk Blue" music video perfectly captures the song’s heartache with a twist of humor, featuring Beckmann in a classic Texas bar scene. Surrounded by his friends and bandmates playing pool and sipping a beer at the bar—fans can watch Beckmann on the rowdy night at a local honky tonk HERE.
Beckmann’s approach to "Honky Tonk Blue" reflects his unique perspective on country music, blending the traditions of the genre with his own roots and influences. Born and raised in Del Rio, Texas, just a stone’s throw from the Mexican border, Beckmann’s music is deeply shaped by his Mexican-American heritage and his love for both country and the traditional mariachi and Norteño sounds of northern Mexico. The result is a distinctive sound that merges the storytelling of classic country with the rich rhythms and textures of Mexico’s musical traditions.
Since releasing his debut album Outskirts of Town in 2018, Beckmann’s artistry has already captured the attention of fans and critics alike for creating “captivating country” (Grammy.com) that features “honest storytelling and undeniable energy” (Texas Monthly). Known for his powerful vocal presence and ability to convey deep emotion, Beckmann’s voice—described by Billboard as “a burnished baritone as smooth and potent as any top-shelf bourbon, and is one every country music fan needs to hear”—is the driving force behind his music, earning him comparisons to country legends such as George Strait and George Jones.
Having played more than one hundred shows a year in 2023 and 2022, Beckmann is no stranger to the stage. He has supported artists like Hank Williams Jr., Randy Rogers Band, and Parker McCollum, who he will join again next month for select dates on the East Coast. Fans in Texas, Oklahoma and Oregon can also catch him in the coming months; for more information and a full list of tour dates, visit https://williambeckmann.com/.