A staunch adherent of old-style honky tonk and Bakersfield country, Dale Watson has positioned himself as a tattooed, stubbornly independent outsider only interested in recording authentic country music. As a result, he hasn't become a major star, but his music has been championed by numerous critics and has earned him a fervently loyal fan base. His 1995 debut album, Cheatin' Heart Attack, wowed writers and fans with its potent songwriting and authentic honky tonk vibe, 1998's The Truckin' Sessions was the first of a series of LPs devoted to his love of big rigs, 2007's The Little Darlin' Sessions saw Watson recording alongside some of the legendary session musicians who inspired him, and 2019's Call Me Lucky found him creatively revitalized after relocating to Memphis. Watson continued to thrive in Memphis, delivering the instrumental record Dale Watson Presents: The Memphians in 2021 and the covers album Jukebox Fury in 2022.