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While Texas artists are rapidly influencing country music on a national level and exposing the return to their musical roots; no other artist is showing how true his Texas roots are more than Weldon Henson. Weldon has been working his way into the musical ranks across the Lone Star state, staying true to the traditions that are Texas country with lyrical tales of heartache, dance halls, open roads, family traditions and hometown lifestyles. The landscape of Texas is evident in each of his performances with his Honky Tonk Frontier band.
Weldon delivers the modern day working man storyline in his lyrics just as the legends who’ve come to Austin before him. He’s walking in the footsteps of those who’ve conquered in the counterculture movements against the “Nashville sound.” His Honky Tonk Frontier band can be found touring the historic dance halls across Texas’ hill country and every honky tonk in between. It isn’t easy keeping a foothold of traditional Texas country music, but Weldon has gained significant acclaim for the past 15 years with his “Texas-made honky tonk” performances, a tagline he uses to express his style. “It’s authentic, Texas honky tonk lyrics delivered with a dance beat that just makes you feel good”, Weldon proclaims. “It’s all about enjoying life.”
As Waylon Jennings has spoken of writing, “your melody goes where the words take you,” Weldon’s songwriting does exactly this. His fifth CD, “Texas Made Honky Tonk” was released in Jan of 2019. It’s been over ten years of writing such melodies and lyrics since his first CD, “Trying to Get By” in 2007. This seasoned songwriter’s repertoire has gained him local recognition for dedication and artistry with the mayor of Austin naming February 25, “Weldon Henson Day” for the city, joining the noted local ranks of many local legendary artists. He’s earned his rightful place in Austin’s music scene and all over the state of Texas while also expanding his audiences internationally with special performances in Europe as well. Since then Weldon has added to his catalog by releasing a fan favorite Gospel album entitled “Songs For The Soul” in 2020 and “Live From Mercer Dancehall”, in 2021, a live album which catches Weldon and his live band at their best and a terrific representation of what Weldon has built over his career.
His musical upbringing in Humble, Texas, initiated his foray into singing and playing violin and piano. Yet it was while serving in the Air Force that Weldon turned to the guitar and his passion for playing music truly awoke. “I was 19 or 20 years old when it all clicked and felt right,” he recalls. “At the time, I was learning to play guitar and I did so by playing and singing my favorite Hank Williams and Johnny Cash songs. Needless to say, I caught the bug right then and never looked back.” With a move to Austin after serving his time in the military, Weldon now reflects back on that decision to venture out on his musical journey to the Live Music Capital. “Now, to have the mayor proclaim a day in honor of me is pretty cool and I take time to reflect on the years, thousands of gigs and seven albums I have been able to make, all of which would have never been possible if I would have never made the move to Austin in the first place.”
Weldon’s shows are a throwback to the vintage honky-tonk lifestyle and Texas culture that brought your grandparents together combined with a slightly rock ‘n roll attitude and modern approach to Texas country. His hard-hitting, original country music demands as much energy from the dancers and audience, as from Weldon and his band. Weldon’s repertoire is one of the most extensive on the Texas circuit making him a popular choice among venue owners and their patrons. A true testament to Weldon’s style and approach is a compliment he often receives from folks who have ne
