Honky Tonk was inspired by the oil bloom in Texas. It was mostly men singing that lived away from their homes and family. They were mostly drinking songs. Johnny Cash and George Jones pushed away the Honky Tonk sensibility.  I grew up listening to George Jones because it was my pap’s favorite artist. George Jones passed away in 2013. At the end of his career he wirked with top producers and musicians but he always remained committed to the “pure country” sound. His music still remains popular.