Country Artist & Navy Lt. Ed Earl Releases New Single “Honky Tonk Degree”

Above: Ed Earl; Photo Credit: D. Sandifer

ED EARL
— U.S. NAVY RESERVE LIEUTENANT TURNED COUNTRY ARTIST —
HONORS HIS ROOTS AND SERVICE WITH NEW SINGLE
“HONKY TONK DEGREE”
OUT NOW

OPENS UP TO MILITARY.COM ABOUT SERVICE AND SONGWRITING
IN CELEBRATION OF VETERANS DAY WEEK

NASHVILLE, TN (November 14, 2025) — Rising neo-traditional Texas country artist and U.S. Navy Reserve Lieutenant Ed Earl has released his heartfelt and good-humored new single, “Honky Tonk Degree,” now spinning on more than 30 radio stations nationwide. The track fuses Ed’s Southwestern grit with the timeless sounds of 80s and 90s country, delivering a playful anthem about the life lessons you can’t learn in a classroom.

“Honky Tonk Degree,” is a playful yet heartfelt anthem about the lessons you can’t learn in a classroom. “It’s about the education you get from real-life experience, the kind of wisdom that comes from heartache, work, and living life,” Ed says. “It’s got humor, heart, and a little bit of swagger. It’s very me.”

STREAM “HONKY TONK DEGREE” HERE.

Written with Alex Dooley and produced by Dean Scallan, the song bridges Ed’s two worlds — the discipline of military service and the soul of country music — making its release especially meaningful as the nation honors Veterans Day this week.

Revealed exclusively on Military.com, the track earned praise from Ryan LaBee, who called “‘Honky Tonk Degree’ Ed’s clearest statement yet — funny, heartfelt, and rooted in pure honky-tonk,” adding, “It’s not every day you meet a rising country artist who can also assemble a torpedo tube — but then again, Ed Earl isn’t your average Nashville newcomer.”

Above: Ed Earl; Photo Credit: D. Sandifer

After enlisting in 2009, he served aboard the USS Pasadena as a Torpedoman’s Mate before earning his submarine warfare qualification and later commissioning as a Submarine Ordnance Limited Duty Officer. Today, he holds the rank of Lieutenant (O-3) in the Navy Reserve.

“The Navy changed my life,” Ed shares. “It taught me leadership, resilience, and the value of showing up for something bigger than yourself. My recruiter said, ‘Join the Navy, see the world!’ He was right — I’ve been everywhere and forged amazing friendships along the way.”

Originally from Texas and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Ed’s music reflects the rugged landscapes and values of the American Southwest. His blend of traditional storytelling, humor, and heart has drawn comparisons to George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Brooks & Dunn — while remaining distinctly his own.

With his forthcoming EP, 3, on the horizon, Ed continues to balance Navy Reserve duties, family life, and a growing music career — a testament to the perseverance and patriotism that fuel both his art and his life.

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