Live Music: Croy and The Boys

Croy and the Boys are one of Austin’s most distinctive honky-tonk bands, blending classic country, Tex-Mex, Cajun, garage rock, and Americana into a sound that’s unmistakably rooted in Central Texas.

Led by frontman Bad Boy Croy (Cory Baum), the band has become a staple of Austin dance halls and honky-tonks, earning a reputation for clever songwriting, high-energy performances, and a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor.

Originally from Bowling Green, Ohio, Baum relocated to Austin more than a decade ago, where he immersed himself in Texas country traditions while also embracing the city’s Norteño and dancehall influences.

That combination helped shape the band’s “class-conscious honky-tonk” style—music that’s equal parts danceable, socially observant, and deeply connected to working-class life.