Pug Johnson – From a Beaumont Bar
Texas singer-songwriter Pug Johnson returns with his third studio album, From a Beaumont Bar, a collection of fifteen songs about lost love, regret, humour and the lessons learned along the way.
Pug Johnson – From a Beaumont Bar
Format: CD / Vinyl
Label: Break Maiden Records
Release date: 23 October 2026
Released on 23 October 2026, ‘From a Beaumont Bar’ finds Johnson looking back on failed relationships and experiences from his younger years. Rather than presenting a collection of unrelated songs, he has created an album built around different forms of heartbreak. Some stories are humorous, others are filled with regret or melancholy, but together they reflect a particular chapter of his life.
Musically, Johnson draws heavily on the classic country records that influenced him, particularly the work of Jerry Lee Lewis and Merle Haggard. Piano takes a more prominent role than on his previous releases, while pedal steel, fiddle and accordion help shape the traditional country sound. The accordion also brings a strong Gulf Coast influence, reflecting Johnson’s roots in Beaumont, Texas.
The album’s songs are closely connected to real places and experiences. Several titles refer to bars in Beaumont, including Thirsty’s, Bar Local and John Wayne’s. Johnson also includes musical references to his heroes, among them a reworked version of Bob Wills’ Bubbles in My Beer.
The recordings were made at Studios at Fischer in Texas, where the instrumental sessions took place over five days. The vocals were recorded at Four Eyes Studio in Beaumont. Produced by Ryan and Pug Johnson, the sessions focused on live performances rather than contemporary production effects.
Among the album’s songs are Lowering the Bar, a country waltz featuring tuba and pedal steel, the honky-tonk shuffle Second Chances and the more melancholy Just To Love You. Together, they reflect Johnson’s intention to connect personal storytelling with the traditions of classic country music.
With ‘From a Beaumont Bar’, Johnson also hopes to introduce new listeners to the artists and musical heritage that shaped his own approach to country music.
Website: https://www.pugjohnson.com/
Tracks:
01. Bubbles in My Beer
02. Thirsty’s
03. Where Dowlen Meets Phelan
04. Tucson
05. Bar Local
06. Shuckin’ and Jivin’
07. Just To Love You
08. John Wayne’s
09. Second Chances
10. Can’t Fall In Love With You
11. The Closest Thing To You
12. Hangaround
13. Back to Thirsty’s
14. If I Told You
15. Lowering The Bar
Read also:
Want to discover more from Pug Johnson and related country and Americana artists? Click on the titles below to read earlier articles on Bluestown Music.
Jack Browning – Painted Skies
Jack Browning combines country, Americana and blues on an album rooted in traditional songwriting and authentic country sounds.
Colter Wall – Little Songs
Colter Wall looks back to old-school country traditions with a sound inspired by the music of earlier generations.
The Mavericks – Moon & Stars
The Mavericks bring together alternative country, outlaw country, rock, blues and Tex-Mex influences on their album Moon & Stars.