Singer/songwriter Dwight Yoakam was raised in Columbus, Ohio; however his family’s background relates to Kentucky, its coal mining community and the influence of the Appalachian Mountains. Never one to follow the Nashville musical trends, Yoakam has developed his own style, being influenced by (sub)genres including honky-tonk, rockabilly and the Bakersfield Sound, which was popularised by artists such as Wynn Stewart, Buck Owens and Merle Haggard; indeed Yoakam and Owens duetted in 1988 on a remake of Owens’ 1973 release, the Homer Joy-penned ‘Streets of Bakersfield’, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Country Music chart. Following Owens’ death in 2006, Yoakam recorded an album of Owens covers, “Dwight Sings Buck“, released in 2007.
As can be seen from the clip, throughout his 40-plus-year career, Yoakam has made a name as an engaging live performer, with his particular sartorial style, unique voice and his on-stage moves. This performance dates back to 1988, it was recorded for the US TV series “Austin City Limits” which was subsequently released on both audio and video formats, but not until 2005. It sees Yoakam on peak form, backed by a top band of musicians. Pete Anderson seen here playing the Telecaster has worked (as a guitar player and/or producer), with k.d. lang, Roy Orbison, Jim Lauderdale, Steve Forbert and Michelle Shocked; drummer Jeff Donovan (Michelle Shocked, John Doe and John Fogerty); and bass player Taras Prodaniuk (Richard Thompson, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Elvis Costello and Emmylou Harris); while fiddle player Scott Joss has worked with Merle Haggard, and Kris Kristofferson.
Yoakam composition ‘Little Ways‘ originally appeared on the 1987 opus “Hillbilly Deluxe” (his sophomore full-length release); it was the second single release from the album, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Yoakam had no desire to ingratiate himself with the Nashville music community, which is perhaps a good thing, given that the LP’s title was at odds with the country music establishment’s long-standing objective to distance itself from the term hillbilly, and its connotations of a lack of sophistication.
Yoakam’s album career began in 1986 when he burst onto the scene with “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.“, kind of. Kind of, because “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.” originally appeared as a six-track EP, released in 1984 on an independent label; eventually Yoakam was picked up by a major label (Reprise) and the record was subsequently given a 1986 release as a 10 track LP, when it reached number 1 in the US Country Album charts, commencing a sequence, continued by “Hillbilly Deluxe” and 1988’s superb “Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room“, that saw Yoakam’s first three long players hitting the top spot and in doing so establishing him as a significant artist. Fast forward to November 2024, and Yoakam released his 17th studio album, “Brighter Days” at the age of 68; it was his first studio album since 2016’s “Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars…“. Preceded by lead single ’I Don’t Know How To Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)’, a duet with rapper Post Malone, “Brighter Days” was released to great acclaim, including a rating of 8/10 here on AUK.
Great live. I saw him at the Forum and the O2. And the latest album is as good. Pty that he doesn’t tour much now.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the comment. He is indeed great live and I agree with you about the latest album, which I think is a return to form following a few releases that I didn’t like as much.