Dwight Yoakam

Dwight Yoakam, a singer-songwriter, actor, and filmmaker, first came to prominence in 1986 with his debut album "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc." which made its mark on the Billboard Top Country Albums. He has since won two Grammy Awards and one Academy of Country Music award. In 1993, Yoakam enjoyed commercial success with the triple-platinum album, "This Time." He has also demonstrated talent in the film industry, appearing in films such as "Red Rock West," "Sling Blade," "Panic Room," "The Minus Man," and "Wedding Crashers," and writing and directing the film "South of Heaven, West of Hell."

His musical style, influenced by alternative country, neotraditional country, honky-tonk, rock, and the Bakersfield sound, has led to collaborations with artists like Beck, John Mellencamp, k.d. lang, Ralph Stanley, and members of Alison Krauss & Union Station. Furthermore, Yoakam's cover of Johnny Horton's "Honky Tonk Man" was the first music video by a country artist to air on MTV in 1986. His album "Hillbilly Deluxe" included top ten hits such as "Little Ways," and he achieved number one singles with "Streets of Bakersfield" and "I Sang Dixie" from his album "Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room," earning Grammy nominations for Best Male Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals.

Aside from his music, Yoakam has made a name for himself in the acting world, with roles in both film and television. Notable appearances include his role in the 1996 movie "Sling Blade," the 1993 movie "Red Rock West", and the CBS crime drama "P.S. I Luv U." He also directed and starred in the Western film "South of Heaven, West of Hell," proving his wide range of talent. In 2022, Yoakam performed a concert with Old Crow Medicine Show to honor the 30th anniversary of his album "Hillbilly Deluxe," and in 2024, he announced the release of "Brighter Days," his first studio album in nine years, featuring a duet with Post Malone titled "I Don't Know How to Say Goodbye (Bang Bang Boom Boom)."