Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-03-15
Photo: David Serby. Courtesy of the artist.
Los Angeles country artist David Serby brings the spirit of a classic roadhouse to life with his new single “Broken Heart in a Honky Tonk,” an upbeat shuffle that serves as the title track for his forthcoming album arriving May 29. Rooted in the traditions of the Bakersfield sound while embracing a modern Americana edge, the song captures the communal energy of a live barroom band and the timeless storytelling that defines great country music.
The tune plays like a late-night introduction to the local honky tonk scene, with Serby guiding listeners through a neon-lit world of jukebox songs, cold drinks, and hopeful hearts nursing old wounds. Backed by his Hillbilly Fringe band, the recording has the loose, infectious feel of a live performance—like standing a few feet from the stage while the band locks into a groove.
“A gravel lot and a pick up truck / A radio playing Merle and Buck / You and me until the sun comes up / A broken heart in a honky tonk,” Serby sings, channeling the legacy of country greats like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard while delivering a fresh and playful perspective.
The song sets the tone for Serby’s upcoming album Broken Heart in a Honky Tonk, which opens with a run of high-energy country shuffles before moving into more reflective territory. Throughout the record, Serby paints vivid portraits of flawed but relatable characters searching for connection, redemption, and the occasional late-night escape.
“I spit out the phrase ‘Broken Heart in a Honky Tonk’ and liked it,” Serby explains. “It started almost as a joke—a laundry list of beer cans and pickup trucks. But once I started playing it live, people loved it, and it became one of my most popular songs.”
Serby’s adventurous take on country music blends classic Bakersfield influences with elements of Americana, roots rock, and barroom honky tonk. Over the years he has shared stages with artists including Willie Nelson, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, and Neko Case, and has performed at the Stagecoach Music Festival twice.
The album features a stellar lineup of collaborators including guitarist-producer Edward Tree (The Spencer Davis Group), drummer Kevin Jarvis (Bo Diddley, Brian Wilson), bassist David J. Carpenter (John Doe of X), pedal steel guitarist Chris Lawrence, and keyboardist Carl Byron, along with harmony vocals from Teresa James and Darice Bailey. Legendary steel guitarist Jay Dee Maness, known for his work with the Byrds’ classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo, also appears as a special guest.
David Serby shared an exclusive note about the song with Grateful Web:
“I want to put at least one good shuffle on every record. A shuffle is always the second song in our live sets, so I can never have enough shuffles… I stumbled upon a progression I liked and started singing nonsensical phrases — that old Paul McCartney ‘Scrambled Eggs’ trick. When I hit the last chord I sang ‘a broken heart in a honky tonk’ and the chorus just spilled out.”
With its mix of humor, heartache, and honky-tonk swagger, Broken Heart in a Honky Tonk captures the late-night conversations, dim lights, and dancing floors that define the country bar experience.
The full album arrives May 29.
01. Broken Heart in a Honky Tonk
02. Don’t Stay Fixed
03. Flight Path
04. Chase a Buck
05. Border Town Romance
06. Gone for Good
07. No Happy Endings
08. Little Ol’Bruise
09. Charm, Looks or Money
10. If I Weren’t Me
11. Drive Me Home
