A musician's "chops" is his or her musical technique. I usually hear this in reference to guitarists, but some references say it's from playing woodwind. I can't say for sure. Sometimes it's used for artistic skill (eg. acting) in general. "To hone" is to sharpen something to perfection. The blog compares the technical care given by musicians in the UK and Ireland with those same musicians' enjoyment of a relaxed and simple blues style.