Katie and the Honky Tonks kick off their 90-minute Becktoberfest set on Saturday, Sept. 27, in downtown Reinbeck. The classic country band which includes (from left) Jesse Cotton, Katie Sires, Luke Sires (on drums), and Johnny Love performed from their debut album “Ain’t No Shame” which dropped this past July. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

REINBECK – Classic country band Katie and the Honky Tonks (KTHT) fronted by Gladbrook-Reinbeck alumna Katie Sires turned downtown Reinbeck’s Broad Street into an open-air dance floor last Saturday afternoon as part of their debut Becktoberfest appearance.

While it wasn’t a polka, folks had absolutely no problem dancing or tapping along as they sipped drafts from The Dig Inn while enjoying over 90 minutes of honky tonk music off KTHT’s debut album “Ain’t No Shame” plus a host of other songs.

“It was such an honor to be asked to play,” KTHT band manager and drummer Luke Sires told the newspaper. “We had an absolute blast. The crowd was great and continued to grow as we honky tonked. It was nice to see the dancers out in the street and the kids singing along.”

Luke also praised Bring the Chi food truck, the greater Reinbeck community, and the bands which opened and followed their show.

“We met new friends in the band Stadium Dr, and the amazing day of music was rounded out by Ash Tree Memorial featuring local musicians Ben Robertson [of The Dig Inn], Jon L., Greg E., and Josh S. Reinbeck is a special town and we are so thankful that Ben asked us to be a part of Becktoberfest 2025. Cheers!”

The Dig Inn's Ben Robertson, left, serves up a draft to a customer during Katie and the Honky Tonk's performance on Saturday afternoon. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

For those hankering for more KTHT, the band is hosting College Hill-Billy Country Music Fest at the Octopus in Cedar Falls on Saturday, Nov. 15. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the show firing up at 6 p.m.

“We have Eliza Thron coming up from Nashville and Ty Toomsen and the Twang City Smokers coming from Columbia, Missouri, along with three other amazing artists,” Luke said of the Nov. 15 festival. “It’s gonna be a night full of storytelling, twang, country, cowpunk, and of course honky tonk!”

In addition to married couple Katie and Luke, KTHT also includes G-R alumni Jesse Cotton and Johnny Love who both play guitar while also providing backing vocals.

For a full upcoming show schedule, visit https://www.katieandthehonkytonks.net/upcoming-shows.html.

Singer-songwriter Katie Sires, center, performs a honky-tonk single from her critically-acclaimed debut album "Ain't No Shame" while fronting Katie and the Honky Tonks last Saturday at Becktoberfest in Reinbeck. Sires is a graduate of the local high school and has twice performed in Reinbeck since the album dropped this past July. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

A pair of dancers take to Broad Street during Katie and the Honky Tonk's Becktoberfest show. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Katie and the Honky Tonk's band manager and drummer Luke Sires finishes a song with a flourish on Saturday. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Guitarist Johnny Love, right, busts out his signature moves while performing with Katie and the Honky Tonks on Saturday. Also pictured, drummer Luke Sires. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Jesse Cotton expertly plays his Fender Telecaster Deluxe while performing with Katie and the Honky Tonks on Saturday. Both Cotton's talent and overall chill country vibe have greatly contributed to the band's recent success this past summer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER