Jon Pardi on his new album “Honkytonk Hollywood” – “That's everything I wanted.”

Over the past decade, John Paldi has paved his own path in country music with his signature towang and his dedication to “modernizing honky tonk music.” His No. 1 hit strings include “Head Over Boots,” “My Boots Stain,” “Heart Pain on the Dance Floor,” and “Night Shift.”

The California native has now released his fifth studio album. Honkytonk Hollywood, And it takes what he's done in the past to a higher level. Pardi searched for producer Jay Joyce (who was working with Eric Church, Brothers Osborne and Lainey Wilson), poured over 150 songs, brought his touring band to the studio, creating what he believed to be the best album he's ever had.

“We couldn't hold back,” Paldi says. “I wanted to come with Jay and do one of the country est records he'd ever done. So he's done some country records, this is a country, a country.”

He laughed, “We spent over three weeks making it. We went through so many songs.

Several factors sparked Paldi's decision to change producers and try something different. One of his singles on his last album didn't go as well as he wanted. Some of the people who worked at Capitol Records over the past decade have been on the way. And then, a longtime Tom Petti fan, Paldi came across the late superstar talking about his approach to recording the album.

“They have released a new documentary about Tom Petty. Amazon And he was talking about how he likes to work with a new producer on every three records. It places him in a new place. After seeing that, I contacted Jay. He seems excited, not an excited person. Then when I compared the calendars, the same date was open. So I considered it all as a sign. And it was cool to be chosen to work with him. ”

Pardi and Joyce spent over three weeks in the studio, working on all 17 new songs, taking time to build, improve and make each one better. Paldi said it was particularly good that his touring band helps out with the album.

“Me and everyone, we're a great band. We love playing. But when we went with Jay, it wasn't. He brought us to 'school'. After the album, I call him the professor. ”

Paldi is extremely proud of the end result.

“It has grit. I love how it sounds. That's all I wanted.”

From the thrilling “boots” to the sultry “lightout” to the smooth “Hay California” and “She's Drive Away” (with steel guitar and triple fiddle) Honkytonk Hollywoodit has everything. And his single “Friday Night Heartbreaker” has already climbed the country charts.

“It has a lot of rock influences, like classic rock,” says Paldi. “Like the Tom Petty era and Event Aerosmith. There are a few things that live on this record, and it's really cool.”

Pardi, who has just started his Honkytonk Hollywood tour, says he's excited to go out and share many of these new songs.

“We're always excited to play the show, but without new music, it's been two years, so this new album is even more enjoyable.”