Eliza Thorn had a simple request.
Yall gotta come dance with us, goddammit!
she implored the capacity crowd at New Yorks Gottscheer Hall.
Nichols and Watlington in July.Griffin Lotz
Almost immediately, the hardwood dance floor in front of Thorns stage filled with two-steppers.
Some were transplants from parts of the U.S. wherecountry musicis the main attraction.
It didnt matter to Thorn, who had just been called back for an encore after her 90-minute set.
They were all just happy to be at a hoedown in New York City.
We want people to dance, Watlington says.
We wanted them to dance at the very first show, and ithappened.
Come out here now, and you could tell that people have been practicing, taking lessons.
This is a monthly routine for them.
Previous performers have included Tyler Halverson, Jonathan Terrell, and Kelsey Waldon.
WhenCharley Crockettdropped his album$10 Cowboylast spring, the release party was held at Honky Tonkin in Queens.
You wouldnt think a Texan like me could feel comfy in Queens, New York.
In Texas, they never line dance, Watlington says, but in Nashville, thats all they do.
With few exceptions, New York hasnt traditionally been home to a vibrant country scene.
A country festival,FarmBoroughon Randalls Island, came and went in 2015.
And venues that often hosted country shows, like Rockwood Music Hall, shuttered during the pandemic.
What happened was, these country artists did not want to come to New York to play.
The country scene here was non-existent, Nichols says.
People were starting to really like it.
After Covid happened, people wanted a dance party, Watlington adds.
They wanted to mingle like they never have before.
Word of mouth and a basic social media push started a buzz that snowballed quickly.
Earlier this year, the two landed DJ spots at the Stagecoach festival in California.
Part of that success lies in the appeal of Gottscheer Hall itself.
There are no velvet ropes or VIP lines outside.
But Watlington makes sure they dont forget exactly where theyre honky-tonkin.
I named it, he says.
I wanted to represent Queens with it really badly.
