Dwight Yoakam is a renowned American country singer-songwriter, actor, and filmmaker. He rose to prominence in 1986 with his debut album "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.", which garnered significant mainstream recognition. Throughout his career, Yoakam achieved sustained success, releasing ten studio albums with Reprise Records and collaborating with other labels such as Audium, New West, Warner, and Sugar Hill Records.
October 23, 1956: Birth of Dwight Yoakam
Dwight David Yoakam was born on October 23, 1956.
1956: Release of "Honky Tonk Man" by Johnny Horton
Johnny Horton, an American country music and rockabilly singer, released "Honky Tonk Man" in 1956. Dwight Yoakam would later cover this song.
1968: Yoakam Family Moves and Early Musical Influences
The Yoakam family relocated to a new neighborhood in Columbus in 1968. Yoakam's mother encouraged her children to participate in the school band, with Dwight playing drums.
1978: Yoakam Writes "You're the One"
In 1978, Dwight Yoakam penned the song "You're the One" about a past relationship. Years later, the song would be included on his 1990 album, "If There Was a Way."
1982: Move to Los Angeles and Collaboration with Pete Anderson
Dwight Yoakam moved to Los Angeles, California in 1982. He connected with guitarist and record producer Pete Anderson.
1984: EP Release and Growing Recognition
By 1984, Dwight Yoakam had penned numerous songs, and under the guidance of Pete Anderson, he recorded an EP titled "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.", released via Oak Records.
1986: Mainstream Success and Debut Album
Dwight Yoakam rose to mainstream fame in 1986 with the release of his debut album "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.".
1986: Signing with Reprise Records and Debut Album Re-release
Dwight Yoakam was signed by Reprise Records in 1986. The label re-released "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc." as his debut album, featuring additional tracks.
1986: ACM Award Win
Dwight Yoakam won Top New Male Vocalist at the 1986 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards.
1987: Grammy and CMA Award Nominations
Dwight Yoakam's album "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc." was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards in 1987. The single "Guitars, Cadillacs" received a nomination for Best Country Song.
1987: Release of "Hillbilly Deluxe"
Dwight Yoakam's second Reprise album, "Hillbilly Deluxe", was released in 1987.
1988: Release of "Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room"
Dwight Yoakam released his album "Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room" in 1988.
1988: Release of "Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room"
In 1988, Dwight Yoakam released his third studio album, "Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room," which topped the Billboard country albums chart. The album featured hit singles such as "Streets of Bakersfield" (a duet with Buck Owens) and "I Sang Dixie."
1988: Chart Success of "Hillbilly Deluxe" Singles
Several tracks from "Hillbilly Deluxe", including "Little Sister," "Little Ways," "Please, Please Baby," and "Always Late with Your Kisses," secured top-ten positions on country music charts between 1987 and early 1988.
1990: Release of "If There Was a Way" Album
Dwight Yoakam released his fourth studio album, "If There Was a Way," in 1990. The album featured the hit single "Turn It On, Turn It Up, Turn Me Loose" and marked the beginning of his songwriting collaborations with Kostas.
1991: Recurring Role in "P.S. I Luv U"
Dwight Yoakam landed a recurring role in the CBS crime drama "P.S. I Luv U" in 1991.
1991: Recording of "Truckin'"
Dwight Yoakam recorded a cover of the Grateful Dead's "Truckin'" in 1991, which would later be included on his 2003 compilation album, "In Other's Words."
1992: Singles from "If There Was a Way" Continue Chart Success
Throughout 1991 and 1992, Dwight Yoakam continued to release singles from his album "If There Was a Way," including "You're the One," "Nothing's Changed Here," "It Only Hurts When I Cry," "The Heart That You Own," and a duet with Patty Loveless, "Send a Message to My Heart."
1992: Contributions to Soundtracks and Collaborations
In 1992, Dwight Yoakam contributed to two film soundtracks: "Falling from Grace" and "Honeymoon in Vegas." He also collaborated with Ralph Stanley on a Grammy-nominated rendition of "Miner's Prayer."
1992: Relationship with Sharon Stone
Dwight Yoakam and actress Sharon Stone began dating in 1992, attending the Academy Awards ceremony together. The high-profile relationship, though short-lived, garnered significant media attention and fan speculation.
1993: Critical Acclaim and Outspoken Nature
By 1993, Dwight Yoakam had garnered recognition for his unique appeal that transcended traditional country music boundaries, attracting both older and younger audiences. His music often reflected his introspective nature and sharp intellect, often critiquing the Nashville music scene and industry practices.
1993: Appearance in "Red Rock West"
Dwight Yoakam appeared in the movie "Red Rock West" in 1993.
1993: Release of "This Time" Album
Dwight Yoakam released his album "This Time" in 1993, which featured the Grammy-winning single "Ain't That Lonely Yet." The album showcased Yoakam's musical diversity and experimentation.
1993: Release of "This Time"
In 1993, Dwight Yoakam released "This Time", his most commercially successful album, achieving triple-platinum certification by the RIAA.
July 1994: Dwight Live Album Recording
Dwight Yoakam recorded a live album, "Dwight Live," in San Francisco in July 1994, which was later released in 1995.
July 1994: The This Time Tour Begins
In July 1994, Dwight Yoakam embarked on his This Time Tour, a 75-city tour across the United States and Canada, with Alison Krauss and Union Station as the opening act.
1994: Relationship with Karen Duffy
Dwight Yoakam and MTV personality Karen Duffy started dating in 1994 after meeting at a party. The relationship ended in 1996.
1995: Release of "Dwight Live" and "Gone" Albums
Dwight Yoakam released two albums in 1995: "Dwight Live" and the studio album "Gone." "Gone" was noted for its diverse musical influences but received less commercial success than his previous works.
1995: Grammy Nominations for Best Male Country Vocal Performance
Between 1995 and 1997, Dwight Yoakam was nominated consecutively for Grammys for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. The songs 'Pocket of a Clown,' 'A Thousand Miles from Nowhere,' and 'Nothing' earned these nominations, showcasing Yoakam's consistent recognition in the country music industry during these years.
1996: End of Relationship with Karen Duffy
Dwight Yoakam and Karen Duffy's relationship ended in 1996.
1996: Breakthrough Role in "Sling Blade"
In 1996, Dwight Yoakam was cast as Doyle Hargraves in "Sling Blade," directed by Billy Bob Thornton. He considered this role to have a lasting impact on his acting career.
1996: "This Time" Achieves Triple-Platinum Certification
In 1996, Dwight Yoakam's 1993 album "This Time" was certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
1996: Grammy Nomination for Best Country Album
In 1996, Dwight Yoakam's album 'Dwight Live' received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album. This nomination was the beginning of three consecutive Grammy nominations for Yoakam in this category, underscoring his impactful contributions to country music during this period.
1996: "Dwight Live" Certified Gold
In 1996, Dwight Yoakam's live album, "Dwight Live," was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
1997: Screen Actors Guild Award Nomination
Dwight Yoakam and the cast of "Sling Blade" were nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in 1997.
1997: Release of 'Under the Covers' and 'Come On Christmas'
In 1997, Dwight Yoakam released 'Under the Covers,' an album entirely of cover songs, and 'Come On Christmas,' a Christmas music album. 'Under the Covers' featured notable collaborations with Ralph Stanley and Sheryl Crow. 'Come On Christmas' included Yoakam's original songs and traditional holiday tracks. Both albums received mixed but overall positive reviews, marking significant additions to Yoakam's discography in 1997.
1997: Grammy Nomination for Best Country Album
In 1997, Dwight Yoakam's album 'Gone' received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album. This nomination was among the three consecutive nominations in this category, highlighting Yoakam's continued excellence in his music career.
1998: Role in "The Newton Boys" and Songwriting for "A Long Way Home"
In 1998, Dwight Yoakam was part of the cast of Richard Linklater's "The Newton Boys." He also used the film's shooting locations in Austin, Texas, as inspiration for writing most of the songs on his album "A Long Way Home."
1998: Release of 'A Long Way Home' and 'Will Sing for Food'
In 1998, Dwight Yoakam released 'A Long Way Home,' an album entirely written by himself, and 'Will Sing for Food,' a charity album featuring other artists covering his songs. 'A Long Way Home' was praised for its return to basics, while 'Will Sing for Food' received mixed reviews. These releases showcased Yoakam's versatility and charitable efforts in 1998.
1998: Grammy Win for 'Same Old Train'
In 1998, Dwight Yoakam contributed to the track 'Same Old Train' on the album 'A Tribute to Tradition.' This song, featuring multiple country artists, won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards. This achievement marked Yoakam's second Grammy win.
1999: Appearance in "The Minus Man"
Dwight Yoakam and Sheryl Crow both appeared in the 1999 thriller film "The Minus Man."
1999: Collaboration with Buck Owens
In 1999, Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens collaborated on several tracks for Yoakam's album 'Tomorrow's Sounds Today.' This marked a significant reunion as Owens had initially rejected collaborations in the 1990s, highlighting the duo's shared influence in the Bakersfield sound.
2000: Release of 'Tomorrow's Sounds Today' and End of Reprise Records Tenure
In 2000, Dwight Yoakam released 'Tomorrow's Sounds Today' and concluded his tenure with Reprise Records. The album featured collaborations with Buck Owens and songs that continued Yoakam's Bakersfield sound influence. This year marked a significant transition in Yoakam's career.
2000: Release of 'dwightyoakamacoustic.net'
In 2000, Dwight Yoakam released 'dwightyoakamacoustic.net,' an album of acoustic recordings featuring just his vocals and guitar. Initially planned for release through his website, the album's minimalistic approach garnered attention and was ultimately released by Reprise Records.
2000: Grammy Nomination for 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'
In 2000, Dwight Yoakam's cover of Queen's 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. This nomination highlighted Yoakam's ability to successfully interpret and perform songs from diverse genres.
2001: Touring with Brooks & Dunn and Founding Electrodisc Records
In 2001, Dwight Yoakam embarked on a tour with country duo Brooks & Dunn. This same year, he founded a new record label, Electrodisc, after his contract with Reprise Records ended. Electrodisc partnered with Audium Records (now MNRK Music Group) for distribution.
2001: CMA Nomination for 'Alright, I'm Wrong'
In 2001, Dwight Yoakam received a CMA nomination for Vocal Event of the Year for 'Alright, I'm Wrong,' a duet with Buck Owens. This nomination was a testament to the successful collaboration and the song's impact in the country music scene.
2002: Cancellation of Concert Dates and Financial Strain
In 2002, Dwight Yoakam cancelled a series of concert dates, citing financial difficulties stemming from the commercial failure of his film "South of Heaven, West of Hell." This led to a lawsuit from his longtime producer and guitarist, Pete Anderson.
2002: Release of "South of Heaven, West of Hell" and Financial Challenges
Dwight Yoakam wrote, directed, starred in, and composed the soundtrack for the Western film "South of Heaven, West of Hell" in 2002. The film's financial failure led to lawsuits from crew members and the firing of Pete Anderson from his touring band.
2002: Role in "Panic Room"
Dwight Yoakam appeared in David Fincher's thriller "Panic Room" in 2002.
2002: Touring with Brooks & Dunn
Dwight Yoakam continued his tour with Brooks & Dunn in 2002.
2003: Release of "In Other's Words"
Dwight Yoakam released "In Other's Words," a compilation album of cover songs, on Reprise Records in 2003.
2003: Release of "Population Me"
In 2003, Dwight Yoakam released "Population Me," his first album on the Audium label. This album featured covers of songs by artists including Gregg Henry and Mike Stinson, and included backing vocals by Timothy B. Schmit and a duet with Willie Nelson.
2004: End of Partnership with Pete Anderson
Dwight Yoakam ended his professional relationship with longtime producer Pete Anderson in 2004.
2004: Lawsuit and End of Musical Partnership with Pete Anderson
Pete Anderson filed a lawsuit against Dwight Yoakam in 2004 for breach of contract related to cancelled concert dates in 2002. The lawsuit was settled out of court, but it marked the end of their professional relationship.
2004: Release of "The Very Best of Dwight Yoakam" and "Dwight's Used Records"
Two compilation albums, "The Very Best of Dwight Yoakam" and "Dwight's Used Records," were released in 2004. "The Very Best of Dwight Yoakam" was released by Rhino Records and went on to achieve gold certification. "Dwight's Used Records," released by Audium, featured collaborations with artists such as Heather Myles and Deana Carter.
2005: Appearances in "Bandidas" and "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada"
Dwight Yoakam had roles in the films "Bandidas" and "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" in 2005.
2005: Signing with New West Records and Release of "Blame the Vain"
Dwight Yoakam signed with the Americana music label New West Records in 2005. His first release on that label was "Blame the Vain," which marked his debut as a producer. He worked with Keith Gattis, former guitarist and bandleader for RCA Records artist, on this album. Two singles from the album, "Intentional Heartache" and the title track, charted on Billboard's country charts.
2006: Re-release of "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc."
Rhino Records re-released Dwight Yoakam's debut album, "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.," in 2006 in honor of its 20th anniversary. This edition included unreleased demos, live tracks, and liner notes written by Yoakam.
2006: Appearance in "Wedding Crashers"
Dwight Yoakam made an appearance in the comedy film "Wedding Crashers" in 2006.
2006: Death of Buck Owens and Beginning of Yoakam's Tribute Performances
Following the death of country music legend Buck Owens in 2006, Dwight Yoakam began performing covers of Owens' songs in concert.
2007: Release of "Dwight Sings Buck"
Dwight Yoakam released "Dwight Sings Buck," an album composed entirely of Buck Owens covers, in 2007. Yoakam recorded the album with his touring band, which included former Mavericks guitarist Eddie Perez, drawing inspiration directly from Owens' original recordings.
2008: Performance at CMA Music Festival
Dwight Yoakam performed at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2008, marking his first appearance at the festival in over 20 years. He was joined on stage by Faith Hill.
2009: Slowdown in Touring and Career
Citing the Great Recession and the rise of digital music distribution, Dwight Yoakam performed very few concerts in 2009. He stated his intention to continue releasing albums, despite the slowdown in his career.
2010: Limited Performances
Dwight Yoakam continued to perform a limited number of concerts in 2010.
July 2011: Re-signing with Warner Bros. Records
Dwight Yoakam re-signed with Warner Bros. Records in July 2011.
2011: Pete Anderson Expresses Unwillingness to Collaborate
In 2011, Pete Anderson stated he had no intention of working with Dwight Yoakam again, despite respecting his artistry.
2012: Release of "3 Pears"
"3 Pears," Dwight Yoakam's next album for Warner Bros. Records, was released in 2012. The album featured production by rock musician Beck on two tracks, and reached number 18 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, becoming Yoakam's highest-charting album ever.
2014: Recurring Role in "Under the Dome" and "Goliath"
In 2014, Dwight Yoakam had a recurring role in season two of the CBS science fiction series "Under the Dome." He also reunited with Billy Bob Thornton for the first season of the Amazon Prime Video series "Goliath."
2015: Release of "Second Hand Heart"
"Second Hand Heart," an album comprised almost entirely of original songs written by Dwight Yoakam, was released in 2015. The album reached number two on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, becoming his highest-charting album on that chart since 1988's "Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room."
2016: Release of "Swimmin' Pools, Movie Stars..."
Dwight Yoakam released the bluegrass album "Swimmin' Pools, Movie Stars..." on Sugar Hill Records in 2016. The album was primarily composed of re-recordings of his earlier songs, although it also included a cover of Prince's "Purple Rain," which Yoakam decided to record upon hearing the news of the musician's death.
2017: Jimmy Webb Tribute Performance
In 2017, Dwight Yoakam paid tribute to songwriter Jimmy Webb by performing a cover of "Wichita Lineman" at Carnegie Hall.
2018: Bakersfield Beat Radio Show and Channel Launch
Dwight Yoakam curated his own show, Bakersfield Beat, on SiriusXM's Prime Country channel in 2018. The success of the show led to Yoakam getting his own channel, also named Bakersfield Beat, dedicated to Bakersfield sound, cowpunk, and country rock.
May 4, 2020: Marriage to Emily Joyce
Dwight Yoakam married Emily Joyce on May 4, 2020, in a small ceremony in Santa Monica, California, limited by the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 16, 2020: Birth of First Child
Dwight Yoakam and Emily Joyce welcomed their first child together on August 16, 2020.
2021: Lawsuit Against Warner Music Over Copyright Reclamation
Dwight Yoakam filed a lawsuit against Warner Music in 2021, alleging they were preventing him from reclaiming copyright to his songs by removing them from streaming services.
February 2022: Resolution of Lawsuit with Warner Music
The lawsuit between Dwight Yoakam and Warner Music was resolved in February 2022, leading to the reinstatement of his songs on streaming platforms.
2022: LSD Tour and Hillbilly Deluxe Anniversary Concert
Dwight Yoakam embarked on the LSD Tour with Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle in 2022. The same year, he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his album "Hillbilly Deluxe" with a concert alongside Old Crow Medicine Show.