Johnny Dilks is certainly the brightest rising star in the world of western swing and honky tonk. A northern California native, Dilks and his band carry on the best traditions of Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Billy Jack Wills, the Louvin Brothers, and yodeler Kenny Roberts. Dilks is part of an explosion of retro musical acts emerging out of the west coast (including Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys, Deke Dickerson, the Lucky Stars, Biller & Wakefield, and more).

True to the western swing tradition, Dilks combines a wide range of musical influences into a style identifiable as western swing. He draws on Dixieland, Cajun, country, honky-tonk, and more, as did Bob Wills and the other titans of the genre. Dilks' band, the Visitacion Valley Boys, is comprised of Dilks (vocals and rhythm guitar), Brendan Ryan (double bass), Paul Wooton (lead guitar and harmony vocals), Billy Wilson (steel guitar), Brian Godchaux (fiddle, electric and acoustic mandolin, and harmony vocals), and drummers Pat Campbell and Ken Owen.