Band Bio

Born in Berkeley and nurtured in live music venues on both sides of the Bay, Nashville Honeymoon is a honkytonk band that plays their own special brand of California country.  Hank and Lynne started performing together almost accidentally - a happy accident, as it turns out, because it sparked a musical collaboration that has produced three albums and brought them to venues ranging from the iconic Ivy Room to San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall.   

Together with their bandmates Tim Wagar and Leor Beary, they offer original tunes that build on country, rockabilly, and honkytonk traditions.  Nashville Honeymoon’s songs run the gamut from desire to domesticity, and in classic country style explore the nooks and crannies of the human heart through the drama of everyday life.   

Folks from the Bay Area are likely to recognize Hank’s signature sound on guitar, bass, and vocals. He has been active on the roots music scene since the early 80’s, playing in bands such as Bonnie Hayes and the Wild Combo and internationally with the Hacienda Brothers. When he’s not busy with Nashville Honeymoon, Hank leads his own roots trio (Hank Maninger and the Jukebox Charlies), and plays bass with The Seducers.

Lynne played acoustic guitar as a teen, but it was always just for fun, and usually involved singalongs with her sisters.  Hank would listen to her sing around the house and finally convinced her to sing with him in public.  Lynne, in turn, convinced Hank to start working with her on their own original material, and they’ve been writing and performing together ever since. 

Nashville Honeymoon is proud to have one of the tightest rhythm sections around, with Tim Wager on electric bass and Leor Beary on drums.

Tim Wagar has been a part of the Bay Area music scene since 1974; working with blues and soul greats such as Lavern Baker, Lowell Fulson, Otis Rush, Bo Diddley, Jimmy McCracklin, James Cotton, Floyd Dixon, Robert Lockwood Jr., Pinetop Perkins, Henry Butler, Barbara Lynn, Brownie McGhee, Charles Brown, Charlie Musselwhite, Syl Johnson, and Howard Tate. 

He performs with local favorites including Terry Hanck, Flambeau, Brenda Boykin, Mitch Woods, Glenn Walters, Chris Cain, and the Soul Delights; and has toured throughout the US, Canada, Japan and Europe. He has recorded with Taj Mahal, Maria Muldaur and Howard Tate. Here is what Lowell Fulson has to say about Tim: “Man, playing with you is like ridin’ in a Cadillac.”

Leor Beary bio coming soon!

Their genuine connection with each other and with their listeners is what country music is all about, and is at the heart of what Nashville Honeymoon does.  Just in case you were wondering, yes, Hank and Lynne are married. Twice. And they visit Nashville every chance they get - sometimes on their anniversary. Here’s to luck, love, and a passion for good country music!