Close Up the Honky Tonks (Buck Owens)

This instructional package includes tablature and audio tracks for “Close Up the Honky Tonks” by Buck Owens and His Buckaroos. The tablature covers all of Tom Brumley’s pedal steel guitar parts as heard on the original recording. In addition to the tablature book, the download includes eight rhythm tracks so you can hear the steel parts and practice playing along in five different keys.

This song, originally recorded by Buck Owens and His Buckaroos, was released on the album Together Again/My Heart Skips a Beat in 1964. Tom Brumley’s pedal steel work on this song serves as an excellent case study of the distinct musicality he brought to The Buckaroos.

“Close Up the Honky Tonks” is a country shuffle at 122 bpm in the key of Db. The steel parts move very quickly at times, so this can be a challenging tune for beginners and intermediate players alike. For this reason, I’ve included an additional audio track that features a slowed down version of the song with the vocals reduced to a minimal level to help you clearly hear the nuances of the steel performance. I’ve also included a slowed down version without steel guitar to allow you to practice at a slower speed.

The tablature and tracks included in this package will teach you to play all of Tom Brumley’s parts from beginning to end, just like the original recording. The rhythm tracks faithfully recreate the rest of the band’s parts from the album as well.

Purchase the complete digital download of the pdf tablature book and all audio tracks on this page. If you would like a physical book and CD, please contact me directly or purchase one from my eBay store.

Song Preview:

Included rhythm tracks:

1. Close Up the Honky Tonks (Key of Db) (With Steel)
2. Close Up the Honky Tonks (Key of Db) (Without Steel)
3. Close Up the Honky Tonks (Key of Db) (With Steel, Slowed Down)
4. Close Up the Honky Tonks (Key of Db) (Without Steel, Slowed Down)
5. Close Up the Honky Tonks (Key of D) (Without Steel)
6. Close Up the Honky Tonks (Key of C) (Without Steel)
7. Close Up the Honky Tonks (Key of B) (Without Steel)
8. Close Up the Honky Tonks (Key of A) (Without Steel)

Buck Owens – Close Up the Honky Tonks on YouTube: