Dale Watson

With so many first-generation country stars gone, Dale Watson has become our honky-tonk go-to guy. Watson’s Texas baritone heals aching hearts every bit as reliably as the options laid out on his latest CD, Whiskey or God. Watson’s traditional country, with its distinct Nashville-avoidance signals, always travels Hurtin’ Road, a detour that has sidetracked Watson more than once in his 25-year career but also given him the nerve to try things such as an entire tour booked in American truck stops. With new songs “I Ain’t Been Right Since I’ve Been Left,” “I Wish I Was Crazy Again” and, tellingly, “Sit and Drink and Cry,” Watson is likely to leave his audience with only a few dry eyes — and a lot of soothed souls.