Black Horse
Anyone who spends time listening to modern country music might conclude that today’s country hits have little in common with the music played by Merle Haggard or Buck Owens. But, if you long for nostalgic, foot-stomping honky-tonk, you don’t have to search very far to find a band that plays classic country music. Black Horse, founded by Canonsburg natives and long-time friends Ken Homerosky and John Natale, has been inducted into the Wheeling Jamboree and travels the tri-state area with bandmates Jon Smorada (pedal steel guitar), Shawn Ruch (lead guitar) and Jeff Watts (drummer), playing pure country music that was performed by music legends including Buck Owens, Hank Williams Sr. and Charlie Pride. Here’s a conversation with Black Horse’s Ken Homorosky.
Q. How long has Black Horse been performing?
A. We began Black Horse in 2012, and we absolutely had no idea it would last this long. The popularity of modern country music alone was enough to give us pause and concern, but we have managed to survive. We believe there is an audience for traditional country music. No longer do you hear it on the radio or television, but at the fairs and festivals where we perform, our audiences are sitting there singing right along with us. It’s very rewarding. Our goal is the preservation of traditional country music, and will continue as long as we are able.
Q. What instruments does a classic country band have to include?
A. It is possible to have a band that plays classic country without a fiddle or steel guitar, but our goal was to be as authentic as possible. To do so, we had to have one of those. We opted for a pedal steel guitar and it’s a great fit for what we do.
Q. Generally, is it fair to say that people who listen to music consider artists like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr. and Merle Haggard as “pure” and “real” country music, and current artists like Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley as “crossover” country music? Is today’s country music “country music” anymore? What’s your point of view?
A. Today’s country music does cross over and is “diluted.” It’s also very popular. Does that mean we like it? Not at all. We play real country music because we love it and because we believe it. And we make no apology for it. If someone does not want to come see us because we play Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and George Jones, then maybe it’s best they don’t. We will not sell out or give in. We consider ourselves purists, and when there is no longer a market at all for what we do – we’ll retire before we play Dierks Bentley. I don’t even know who that is. There is a quote that I read in Rolling Stone magazine from Tom Petty. He’s a huge Johnny Cash fan, by the way. He said today’s country music is like “bad rock with a fiddle.” We agree wholeheartedly.
Q. You play a lot of concerts in 2016. Your Honky Tonk Tour, I believe, includes 26 concerts. How do you juggle work schedules with practice and concerts, and do your wives ever complain that they’d just like to go out to dinner on a weekend night every once in a while?
A. It is admittedly difficult at times juggling work schedules, but we manage. We all have other daytime jobs and at times, it makes for long days and very little sleep. But I do coordinate the schedule to allow for downtime periods. We’ll go in streaks, then rest a bit. It’s not so bad. Our new guy, Shawn, is the only other one besides myself that is married. My wife is very understanding of what I do, and knows that it’s a passion.
Q. You have had the great honor of being invited to play at the Wheeling Jamboree, which has hosted some of country music’s finest artists. Is that one of your highlights as an artist, performing there?
A. Being inducted as members of the Wheeling Jamboree is indeed one of our biggest highlights. It is the longest-running live country music broadcast, after the Grand Ol’ Opry and is an incredible honor to be a part of. However, right now, the Jamboree is in the process of renovating a new building in Wheeling to house their live shows and has suspended production in the interim. When they get back up and running, I suspect it will be as before, a rotation of their cast members weekly. We had been doing a show there every six weeks or so.
Q. I’ve noticed that your band members wear black in several photos. I know that black is slimming, but I’m sure that’s not your motive. Is it a nod to Johnny Cash?
A. Actually, it is our motive. No, really it just seemed fitting, given the name of the band.
Q. What is it that appeals to you about traditional country music? And who are your favorite country artists?
A. Real, traditional country music tells a story. It’s true and honest and almost every person can relate. In addition to the ones already mentioned, Cash, Haggard and Jones, we do songs by Buck Owens, Charlie Pride, Gene Watson, Waylon Jennings, Glen Campbell, Faron Young and of course, the honky tonk master, Hank Williams Sr.
Q. Your band describes itself as one of the hardest-working bands in the area. You show no signs of slowing down. How long does Black Horse plan to continue to tour and play?
A. If you were to watch several 60-year-old’s tear down and load up a PA system after playing for two hours and it’s approaching 11 p.m., you would definitely see signs of slowing down. It’s a part of the process that is the toughest. But we will continue to do it as long as the audiences are there wanting to see it. We are aware it’s a small, niche market and does not have mass appeal. But thus far, the audiences have been as passionate about our music as we are. We’ll be out there as long as they are.