Jon Pardi Joins ‘Backstage Country’ as Co-Host: Stories Behind His Songs & New Album ‘Honky Tonk Hollywood’

Country music fans have a lot to look forward to this week, especially with Jon Pardi taking over as the co-host of Backstage Country, joining the lovely Elaina Smith. Known for his blend of traditional honky-tonk and contemporary sound, Pardi has captured the hearts (and ears) of country music fans.  

For this week, get an inside look at his life as a country music artist as he reveals the stories behind some of his biggest hits and his upcoming fifth studio album, Honky Tonk Hollywood, scheduled for release on April 11. 

Smith mentioned that “Friday Night Heartbreaker” is climbing the charts and that it was a good decision to make it the lead single, though she’s curious about how they chose that particular song. Pardi shared that the track “definitely had a vibe to it.” He also noted that, while listening to the radio, it “felt like it fit in with the times.” 

Pardi added, “I picture girls getting ready in the mirror, like I'm going to break a heart tonight. I like that. I don't know. It just kind of had an anthem to it. So, it's definitely a head turner when it first came out. And there's like people who are like, ‘Oh, it's different.’ It ain't that different. I mean, but at the same time, it's like pushing the limits and pushing where I've been and albums I've done.” 

Of all the tracks on his latest album, Honky Tonk Hollywood, Smith admitted “Boots Off” is one of her favorites. Pardi exclaimed, “I mean it’s got that pop, pop, pop! It's got the opening lick, and it just screams, ‘Listen to me!’” The singer-songwriter also revealed that he wrote the song because his feet get hot after his shows, particularly in the summer. “You're up there standing, dancing, moving, shaking hands, singing. And it's hard to get your boots off.” He chuckled, “That's where I came up with the title.” 

Smith laughed at the hilarious origin of the song. Pardi added, “And then, getting home, time to get it on. You just can't get your boots off quick enough. That's a funny thought and it kind of turned in this sexy kind of fun time. And everybody likes that.” Although Pardi admitted to trying to leave out the part about his “stinky sweaty feet,” but that “you never know where a song idea comes from truly because what the song turns into is romanticized, and turned into a movie to where the real deal is you don't want to talk about that.” 

With his latest album almost here, Jon Pardi is continuing to make a name for himself in the country music industry. So, don’t miss out, tune into Backstage Country and be sure to grab a copy of Honky Tonk Hollywood when it drops this week!