There’s still a few Outlaws left. And no, we’re not talking about 5’4″ guys signed to Big Machine Records, or stadium acts with Ray-Ban Aviators permanently affixed to their faces. We’re talking about the guys who believe the term “Outlaw” is synonymous with fierce independence. We’re talking about guys with door deal gigs and vans, not buses. True Outlaws. And chief among their small, but fervent ranks is singer, songwriter, and frontman Dallas Moore.

Dallas Moore, along with his band, won the Ameripolitan Best Outlaw Group in 2017 and as if any further proof were needed he’s pulled out all the stops for his latest, Mr. Honky Tonk. He’s far from a young gun and he is the true warrior many others may claim to be. Last year he played 327 dates and he released his first album, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys, in 1991. This is a guy who has served his apprenticeship and been a qualified Outlaw since before some of the latest arrivals were even born. He’s a badass with an equally badass beard, and whilst I’ve liked him very much for quite a while, this might be his best yet.