Justin Bizzle Strikes ‘Honky Tonkin’ Gold with Debut Album

The release of Honky Tonkin is nearly a lifetime dream come true for Justin Bizzle.

The Missouri native not only grew up around music, he immersed himself in it as soon as he could. And after years of holding down the backbeat on the drums, he stepped forward, centerstage, with guitar in hand, ready to helm the next chapter of his music career.

That chapter begins with Honky Tonkin, Bizzle’s 10-track debut effort that not only pays homage to the traditional country music he grew up on, it flies the flag for the brand of music Bizzle wants to make in the future.

We chatted with Bizzle all about Honky Tonkin, his early start in music, more new music on the way and more!

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Pro Country: You grew up in a musical family and found yourself performing on stage very early in your life. How early in your life did you catch the music bug? Did it almost seem inevitable that music was a path you were going to follow?

Justin Bizzle: As far back as I can remember, music has always been at the center of my life. From the time I could walk, I was either sitting on the front of a stage strumming one of my dad’s old guitars or stealing the microphone and singing my best Randy Travis “Diggin’ Up Bones” rendition. I always knew that music would be the path I would follow. Most kids dream of being a Major League ballplayer growing up, but my dream was traveling the country on a tour bus and standing in the sacred circle at the Grand Ole Opry.

PC: You played drums and sang in your family band as early as seven years-old. How crucial was that early stage experience for you?

JB: Drums became my passion and remained so until my late 20s. When you grow up in a family of musicians, you must find a lane where you fit and have a voice, and drums seemed to be that for me. I really believe starting as young as I did and the experience I’ve gained has built an invaluable foundation for the path I’m on right now.

PC: With that early interest in music, when was it evident that music was something you wanted to, and could, pursue as a career?

JB: I always knew that music was what I wanted to do. I have always loved to play and sing, even though I thought playing drums would be the avenue I would pursue. From the first time I stood out front center stage in the spotlight and felt the rush of the crowd, that was the encouragement I needed, and that was it; I knew this was what I was meant to do.

PC: Your bio mentions artists like Alan Jackson, George Strait, Daryle Singletary and Brooks & Dunn as influences. What was it about their traditional, 90s-country stylings that struck a chord with you?

JB: I think I have always clung to artists that have stayed true and carried the traditional torch of the country greats before them. My dad grew up on Haggard, Waylon and Jones, and instilled a love for traditional country music in me through them. I believe all my favorite 90s artists have been the biggest influence on me because they took their inspirations from them as well and made them their own.

PC: You continued drumming into your twenties before picking up the guitar and stepping out center stage. How quickly did you take to the guitar, and why was the time right to step forward?

JB: When I joined my first band outside of the family realm, I would sing in the van traveling to and from shows, and I remember the first time the guys heard me sing they all kind of stopped in their tracks and said, “As good of a drummer as you are, I think you may want to rethink this thing and focus on fronting the band.” I bought my first real guitar and really dedicated myself to learning as fast as I could, after all my years of honing my skills on the drums, having to start over on the guitar was a humbling experience. I continue to this day to learn and be the best musician that I can be.

PC: In late 2024, you released your debut single, “I Guess I’m Old School.” What emotions were you feeling as you were releasing music for the first time, and why did you feel “I Guess I’m Old School” was the right introduction?

JB: I had struck up a great friendship with Donovan Chrisman, who is a great guitar player, producer and songwriter who I really admire. He and I had been in talks for a while about putting together a project. The thing I appreciated most was we had a very long conversation about who I wanted to be as an artist and how important it was to introduce who I am as a person with my first release. Donovan pitched me a few songs, and although they were all great, the first time I heard “I Guess I’m Old School,” I knew that song embodied everything about who I am as a person today. While it’s always hard to put yourself out there, I was really excited for the opportunity, and I knew that it was time.

PC: “Honky Tonkin” is the title track of your debut album, and offers a love letter to a honky tonk lifestyle. Can you list us a few of your favorite honky tonk songs?

JB: “Guitars, Cadillacs” by Dwight Yoakum is definitely on that list, as well as “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” by Alan Jackson, and my list wouldn’t be complete without “Too Much Fun” by Daryle Singletary.

PC: “When I Got You” is a sweet, western wedding song that has performed well on TikTok and Instagram prior to the song’s release. How excited are you to have that song released and to see its potential to connect with people?

JB: I think what excites me the most about “When I Got You” is that it is a true representation of the feeling you get when you know you have found “the one.” It really takes a deep dive into the emotion of never being satisfied with things of material value if you don’t have the perfect person to share them with.

PC: Honky Tonkin features heavy-hitting musicians like Travis Toy, Brent Rader, Jeneé Fleenor, Joe Spivey and Donovan Chrisman. What was it like to be in the studio, creating with so many talented musicians?

JB: It is hard to put into words the experience of getting to make music with your heroes. Everyone in that room is a master of their craft, and it really makes you elevate and push yourself to your highest level. There is no hiding imperfections, you have to give it everything you have and take every advantage of the opportunity they have given you, all while trying to take it all in and enjoy every moment.

PC: What do you hope listeners take away from Honky Honkin after listening all the way through?

JB: I really hope it gives listeners a trip down memory lane to a time in their lives where they were young and carefree, enjoying a great night out with some of their closest friends and maybe “making at least one bad decision.”

PC: You’ve told us that you’re already hard at work writing for your second album. How far along are you in the process, and how important has it been for you to be continuously creating?

JB: Man, we are hard at it, Donovan and I have been writing for the last month or so, and have a few songs complete that we are really exited about. We have begun building the tracks and will be heading into the studio later this month to start laying down vocals. Donovan and I have a very similar mindset when it comes to our direction and work ethic; we are never happy unless we are making music and trying to make the next project better than the last.

PC: With Honky Tonkin now released, what do you have planned for the rest of 2025?

JB: We have big plans for 2025, we hope to have the next album complete and released before the end of the year. We are really working hard to gain momentum with Honky Tonkin as well as the new album that’s in the works. I have a lot of cool shows lined up this summer and early fall, and I’m excited to get out and play and to meet some new friends in new areas while gearing up for an even busier 2026.