Album Review – Weldon Henson’s “Stone Cold Country Gold”

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#510 (Traditional Country) and #510.2 (Honky Tonk) on the Country DDS.

Some, if not many who set out to pursue country music as a career, they do so as a vehicle to fame and treasure. They might enjoy the music too, but it’s the money and adulation they dream of. Others, they pursue a career in country music as a solemn responsibility to serve and pay forward the songs, modes, and traditions of the music, so help them God. Weldon Henson is one of those souls.

Though some might regard these performers who spend the majority of their careers singing in three to four hour shifts at honky tonks with sympathy—and think it should be them out there selling out arenas—this misunderstands the sense of purpose that performers like Dale Watson, Joshua Headley, and Weldon Henson receive out of entertaining local crowds on a weekly basis. They might not know his name in Nashville, but on South Lamar in Austin, TX, Weldon Henson is nothing short of a country music legend.

The iconic Broken Spoke is where Weldon Henson has made his name, along with other haunts around central Texas. This is where audiences of two steppers are the kingmakers, and you’re pretty much required to know the entire classic country catalog to play your way on stage. The Fire Marshal’s capacity might be smaller than some other places. But there are few stages that are as prestigious or hold more weight in the country world.

Weldon Henson’s residency at the Broken Spoke is worth its weight in country music gold, and that’s why touring nationally and recording albums have taken a back seat. But he’s out with a new one called Stone Cold Country Gold, and it’s about as close as you can get to enjoying a chicken fried steak in the front room, and then dancing the night away on the legendary Broken Spoke floor.



Weldon Henson is not known as some Guy Clark-level songwriter, and he’s not trying to be. He’s just trying to contribute original songs to the country canon that fit seamlessly in between the old classics. The first half of the album speaks to Henson’s simple and old school approach to life. He sings about his old truck. He sings about his old dog. And he also sings about singing at the Broken Spoke. Yet there’s a sweetness and a sense of warmth that comes with these simple, timeless, and true country songs.

What’s great about great country music is it helps reset your priorities in life to the most important things. This album is great for that, including when it comes to personal relationships through songs like “Come On” and “Time for Loving You More.” Weldon Henson sings what he lives and he lives when he sings, and his grateful, no frills approach to life is something we can all learn from. We can also tap a lot of joy from excellent country songs like the up-tempo Western Swing track “Playing With Fire.”

And as you can imagine, the country music instrumentation here is all spectacular. Stone Cold Country Gold is just a great listening record if nothing else. And though this isn’t some singer/songwriter work, Weldon takes some moments to show off his writing chops, including with the song “The Past Ten Years” whose tympani roll at the end really puts you in the feels.

As Weldon Henson sings on this album, “Preserving the pastime of country music is not glamorous or full of fame.” But it damn sure is important, and Henson illustrates why on this album, just like he’s done every Tuesday night for years now at the Broken Spoken in Austin. Stop by if you’re ever in town for an authentic Texas honky tonk experience, a Lone Star beer, and a chicken fried steak.

1 3/4 Guns Up (8.1/10)

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Visit weldonhenson.com for dates and merch.

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