Ramona and the Holy Smokes: the story and songs to start with

Ramona and the Holy Smokes bring Virginia honky tonk into a modern frame

Ramona and the Holy Smokes are based in Central Virginia and draw on family roots in South Texas. Their Bandcamp and site materials present them as a new generation of honky tonk music, with a backing band steeped in classic country and western styles from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The release notes also describe their sound as a blend of classic country, heartbreak songs, and their own “Mexi-tonk” approach. Across the catalog here, the writing moves from longing and defiance to breakup resolve.