Doc Martin prescribes the right medicine for his Honky Tonk Honey
By Alan Shipston for Country Music News International Magazine
Doc Martin’s brand-new single, Honky Tonk Honey, is a true-to-the-bone country 4/4 shuffle built for dance floors and barrooms that still appreciate the real thing. This dyed in the wool dance number is the follow up single to his previous release, Texas Girl, that debuted in 2025.
Driven by twin fiddles, crying steel guitar and a classic honky tonk groove, the record leans into tradition without apology. Tele style guitar licks are all over this recording, bringing that legit feel but never overstepping the genre. The rhythm section is tight as the bass and piano share the bottom end, while the drums lock in the timing. Lyrically, it’s playful and feel-good, centered around the charm of a sweet, two-steppin’ love that listeners can picture from the first chorus. By the time the second chorus is in full swing, a female vocalist joins in adding a new color and spark to the mix. Doc, who spends his time between Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee, brings an authentic regional influence that comes through in both the delivery and the production.
Martin isn’t chasing any modern trends with Honky Tonk Honey, just honest, boots-on-the-floor country music made for dance hall shuffle lovers. Doc takes a direct approach with his vocal, laying out the story and staying close to a standard style melody based on the simple arrangement. His vocal forward performance has a slightly dusky quality as he sings,
My little honky tonk honey
As sweet as can be
Her good country lovin
Is the kind that does it for me
Written and produced by Robert Martin in Nashville, the tune was mixed and mastered by multiple gold and platinum award winning producer/engineer Frank Green, who has worked with Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Kenny Rogers and a career full of other name brand artists. The recording, coming in at 3:35, is clean, yet lively and full of memorable moments, adding to its timeless quality.
This Texas country singer-songwriter can be found performing with Doc Martin and The Mysterious Cowboys. Now living in Nashville, Doc produces music and performs there regularly, where he has a residency at the Music City Bar & Grill. Honky Tonk Honey should make any playlist – give it a listen and find out why.