Why Billy Bob’s, Texas’s Most Famous Honky-Tonk, Isn’t a True Honky-Tonk
A brief history of one of our most beloved (and endangered) cultural institutions.
Christian Wallace is a writer from West Texas. Before joining Texas Monthly as an assistant editor in March 2016, Wallace worked as a roughneck, a ditch digger, an electrician, a record store clerk, a radio DJ, and as a writing instructor at the National University of Ireland in Galway, where he earned a Master's degree in Writing. Among his publishing credits, Wallace has a Pushcart Prize nomination for his poetry and contributed an essay to Texas Monthly's National Magazine Award-nominated package "Knives Out." When not fact-checking or writing stories, he prefers to be reading at his home in San Marcos, kayaking through Santa Elena Canyon, hiking around Ireland, or holed up in a honky-tonk with a good jukebox somewhere in between.
Articles by Christian Wallace
Texas’s Greatest Honky-Tonk Hits
From Ernest Tubb to Bob Wills to Willie, Texas has produced a jukebox worth of classics. Here are the best.
The Best Honky-Tonks in Texas
We traveled 3,000 miles to find the state's best little country joints. Welcome to neon nirvana.
For those of us born decades after Apollo 11 returned from its mission, the imprint of astronaut boots on the lunar surface has always been historical fact. We can’t conjure personal memories of that voyage, of families huddled around the TV or radio, anxiously waiting for news of that one small…
The Permian Basin Is Booming With Oil. But at What Cost to West Texans?
Though some will reap serious profits, the region's dealing with skyrocketing rents, overcrowded schools, and potholes as big as VW Beetles.
Premiere: The Final Chapter of Terry Allen’s ‘Pedal Steal’
The Lubbock native talks about his trippy, blood-flecked radio plays, the border wall, and working with Jo Harvey Allen.
Exclusive Premiere: Robert Ellis Gets ‘Passive Aggressive’ on His New Song
The Austin-based songwriter opts for the keys and wry humor on his latest single.
On ‘Parts Unknown,’ Anthony Bourdain Asks If West Texans Are the Platonic Ideal of Texans
Spoiler: The answer is yes.
Beto O’Rourke Had a Very Different Type of Political Rally
And it wasn't just because of Willie Nelson. We spent time on the ground at Austin's Auditorium Shores on Saturday night, and here's what we found.
Exclusive Premiere: Kacey Musgraves Is a “Kansas City Star” on Roger Miller Tribute Album
Musgraves joined Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and others to honor Miller's legacy.
