We call it the HonkyTonk Collective, but there are a few regulars that keep it all together. You can see them in almost every video and at almost every gig, meet the HonkyTonk House-Band!
The HonkyTonk Collective
Tom Gene
Vox & Guitar
Founder of the HonkyTonk Party Band, Tom has been on the UK country scene for several years. He has played for many artists; Jeanine Barry (Country2Country) 2017, Under the Apple Tree sessions, On Blackheath), Mariead (Country on the Coast), Lucy Blu (headline at the Water Rats), Becky Lawrence (Portsmouth bandstand) to name a few. He also plays rhythm guitar for the critically acclaimed ‘Dire Streets’.
Emily-Rose Ireland
Vox
Originally brought in as a session singer, Emily was so outrageously talented she inadvertently became the unofficial face of the HonkyTonk! In almost every promo in some guise or another, Emily is a singer/songwriter from Brighton.
Broocie Brooce
Bass
A genuine musical legend, Broocie has extensive touring and festival experience, on stage at the likes of Victorious most years! Bruce plays bass in the bog rolling stones and has appeared in countless other bands on the Portsmouth music scene.
John Bergin
Vox & Rythm Guitar
A graduate from the Brighton institute of Music, John lends his silky crooners voice to the country style, doing the likes of Johnny Cash and and Alan Jackson the justice they deserve. He is one half of the rockabilly duo ‘the Retrobates’, a hugely popular function duo on Alive network. He also plays bass in his originals project ‘Opia Bloom’ and is a popular Soul DJ on the Brighton Scene.
Sean Michael
Drums
Putting the Hunk in HunkyTonk; Seans explosive and ferocious drum style is the pumping heartbeat of the band. Sean has extensive touring experience drumming with critically acclaimed tribute act ‘Fleetingwood Mac’ .
Friends, Guests & Part timers
It wouldn’t be a collective without our extensive family!
Ryan Hill
Vox / Guitar
Ryan provides raw and powerful rock vocals to the HonkyTonk. He can be seen taking on Chris Stapleton in our ‘Midnight Train to Memphis’ and Freddie Mercury in ‘Tie your mother Down’.
Clare Marczak
Vox
Clare’s smooth and soulful vocals can be heard regularly on stage with the HonkyTonk. Check her out in our lockdown video of ‘Walking after Midnight’
Máiréad
Vox
Máiréad and Tom have toured together extensively on the UK Country Scene, hitting festivals together like Buckle & Boots and Country on The Coast. Check out Máiréad joining us for our Christmas ‘Let it Snow’!
Emily Oldham
Vox
Emily was one of the original members of the HonkyTonk family. She can be seen in one of our most popular videos taking on Chris Stapleton’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey’.
John Brunsdon
Lead Guitar
John is one of our lead twangfest guest extraordinaire! Lead guitar player in critically acclaimed ‘Dire Streets’, John and Tom had a famed Twang Duel in ‘Folsom Prison Blues’. Go check it out!
Lauren Stanley
Vox
Lauren has been a professional singer for many years, and first met Tom when he joined mowtown band ‘Lauren and the Heatwaves’. Check her out on our Tina Turner Rolling Stones medley, and her southern twang on Redneck Woman!
Marino
Bass, Double Bass & Backing Vox
Marino is a secret weapon in the arsenal of the HonkyTonk. A songwriter and touring musician, Marino has toured extensively with Tom for Country acts in the UK. Check him out on ‘Walking after Midnight’.
Nath Hill
Drums
A legend in his own right, Nath drums for some of the best bands around. You can find him behind the kit for Idol State, Mojo Dollar and the South Coast Collective to name but a few!
Marley Blandford
Vox
We were blessed to have the amazing Marley join us for our acoustic rendition of ‘Life is a Highway’. Occasionally, if enough drink is offered, Marley can be seen diving head first into the HonkyTonk live life!
Wanna be a member of the family?
We are always on the lookout for talented, keen, ambitious individuals to join our HonkyTonk Collective. If you think you might be interested, get in touch!