Jon Pardi On His New Album ‘Honkytonk Hollywood’ – ‘It’s Everything I Wanted’

Over the past decade, Jon Pardi has carved his own path in country music with his signature twang, and a style, swagger, and sound that backs his dedication to “modernizing honky tonk music.” His string of No. 1 hits includes “Head Over Boots” “Dirt On My Boots,” “Heartache On the Dance Floor,” “Night Shift” and many others.

The California-native has now released his fifth studio album, Honkytonk Hollywood, and it elevates what he’s done in the past to an even higher level. Pardi sought out producer, Jay Joyce (who has worked with Eric Church, Brothers Osborne, and Lainey Wilson), poured through more than 150 songs, and brought his touring band into the studio to make what he believes is his greatest album, so far.

“We didn’t hold back,” Pardi says. “I wanted to come together with Jay and do one of the country-est records he’s ever done, which is this record. I mean, he’s done some country records, but this is country, country.”

He laughs, then adds, “We spent more than three weeks making it. We went through so many songs, and we cut what we loved, what felt good, and melted it down into gold. It’s a really great album.”

Several factors sparked Pardi’s decision to change producers and try something different. One of his singles from his last album didn’t do as well as he’d hoped, some of the people he’d worked with at Capitol Records over the past decade had moved on, and then, Pardi, who is a longtime Tom Petty fan, came across something the late superstar had said about “his” approach to recording albums.

“They’d put out a new documentary about Tom Petty on Amazon and he was talking about how he likes to work with new producers every three or whatever records because it pushes him as an artist, musician, and songwriter. It puts him in a new place. After I saw that, I contacted Jay. He seemed excited and he’s not one to get excited. Then, when we compared calendars, we had the same dates open. So, I saw all of that as a sign. And it was cool to be chosen to work with him.”

Pardi and Joyce spent more than three weeks in the studio, working on all 17 new songs, taking time to build, improve, and make each one better and better. Pardi said it was especially nice to have his touring band help with the album.

“Me and the guys, we’re a great band. We just loving playing. But it was different when we went in with Jay. He brought us to ‘school.’ After the album, I call him the professor.”

Pardi is extremely proud of the end result.

“It’s got grit to it. I love what it sounds like. It’s everything I wanted.”

From the rousing “Boots Off” to the steamy “Love the Lights Out” to the smooth “Hey California,” to “She Drives Away,”( complete with steel guitar and triple fiddles) Honkytonk Hollywood, has it all. And his single, “Friday Night Heartbreaker,” is already making its way up the country charts.

“There’s a lot of rock influence, like classic rock,” Pardi says. “Like the Tom Petty era or event Aerosmith. There’s some of that stuff that lives on this record which is really cool.”

Pardi, who just kicked off his Honkytonk Hollywood Tour, says he’s excited about getting out and sharing so many of these new songs.

“We’re always excited to play shows, but it’s been two years without new music, so this new album makes it so much more fun.”