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Mini Biography

Since the start of his music career, Dwight Yoakam has proven he's more than just another guy with a guitar and a hat. He has risen from hot country star to being one of country music's biggest influences. While doing that, he has also become a critically acclaimed actor. Dwight Yoakam was born in the coal mining community of Pikeville, Kentucky, October 23, 1956. Soon after his birth, his family moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he was raised. As part of the Drama Club in his days at Northland High School in Columbus, he acted in school plays. He played Helen Keller's brother in his sophomore year in the school's production of "The Miracle Worker." He followed that his Junior year playing the lead as Charlie in "Flowers for Algernon." He capped off his high school acting career as Richard Bravo in The "Demon Seed." In 1977, Dwight moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. At the time, Nashville was moving away from the traditional country sound that he was playing. After a brief time there, he moved to California, which was more receptive to the music he was doing. He hooked up with producer/guitar virtuoso Pete Anderson in 1982. That began a musical relationship that became country music's equivalent to rock's Glimmer Twins (Mick Jagger and Keith Richards). Financial backing to make a high-quality recording came from Dwight's sister and brother-in-law, an insurance check that was meant to fix Dwight's El Camino and money raised from a benefit classical music concert staged by UCLA music professor Dr. Robert Winter. With the EP (extended play) that captured the "Dwight Yoakam sound." In 1984, Dwight released the six-song EP "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc." on the independent Oak label, and then hit the road with such artists as Los Lobos and Violent Femmes. Playing traditional country music, Dwight gained a following among not only country fans but punk rockers and rockabilly fans as well. This eclectic fan base brought him to the attention of many record labels. Warner Brothers signed him to its newly revived Reprise Record label in 1985. The EP's title and tracks were kept intact and more songs added to make a full album. At the time, country music was in the waning days of its Urban Cowboy (1980) phase, and fans of country were hungry for something "new." This new sound was a return to a more traditional style that had been abandoned when John Travolta put on a cowboy hat. After establishing himself in the music industry, Dwight set his sights on his second love, acting. In 1991 he appeared as a stuntman/country singer in an episode of "P.S.I. Luv U" (1991). This became the beginning of his professional acting career. In 1992, he appeared on the big screen for the first time in the Nicolas Cage/Dennis Hopper film Red Rock West (1992). In 1993, Dwight released what is considered his masterpiece, the album "This Time." He supported the album with a tour that lasted over a year and covered the world. In 1994, he received his first Grammy for the album's single, "Ain't That Lonely Yet." In 1996, he co-starred in Billy Bob Thornton's film Sling Blade (1996). His work as the evil Doyle Hargraves left audiences speechless and critics hailing his performance. Dwight was included with the cast who were among the nominees for "Best Cast" by the Screen Actors Guild awards. As the 1990s drew to a close, Dwight proved that his music didn't have to suffer as he pursued more ventures into movies. While filming The Newton Boys (1998), he wrote what many consider his most personal album, "A Long Way Home." All the tracks were written solely by Dwight. He began 1999 with a Grammy win for his contribution to the track "Same Old Train" from the various artists' album "Tribute to Tradition." He then added two new items to his resume: director and screenwriter. In South of Heaven, West of Hell (2000), he not only starred, he made his directorial debut with a screenplay he authored. Dwight Yoakam continues to prove that he is able to successfully have careers in both film and music, without either profession suffering.

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Cowboy Hat

Trivia

Born at 2:41AM-EST.

Dated Bridget Fonda. [1999-2001]

Dated Sharon Stone, who was famously quoted as saying "Kissing Dwight was like eating a dirt sandwich." [1993]

On June 5, 2003, he received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was honored for his recording career. His star is located at 7021 Hollywood Blvd.

While on location in Texas shooting the film, The Newton Boys (1998) he wrote the songs he used for the album "A Long Way Home".

Johnny Cash called Yoakam his favorite modern country artist.

Sang a cover of Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." It was meant to be used only as a jingle in a TV commercial for the Gap's blue jeans, but there was such a huge demand for the song, he ended up releasing it as a single.

Best subject in school was history, and worst subject was math.

Dwight was injured while filming Panic Room (2002). He burst a bursa sac on his elbow, hyper-extended both his thumbs, and had a few cracked ribs.

Self taught on playing the guitar.

Born in the same city as Patty Loveless.

Played the drums in his high school's marching band.

Has two dogs, Jack and Annie.

Is a vegetarian.

Studied history and philosophy at Ohio State University.

Injured while filming Hollywood Homicide. He cut his index finger on a police barricade. He went to Cedars Sinai hospital and needed 4 stitches in his finger.

Honored with the Governors' Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Ohio Valley College presented Dwight with an honorary doctorate degree on May 7, 2005 in Vienna, West Virginia. In addition to giving a speech, he congratulated each graduate personally, and the mayor gave him the key to the city.

Bought his famous cowboy hat in 1979 for less than $50.

Was announced as the CMA International Artist Achievement Award winner for 2007 at the 41st CMA Awards.

Won a Grammy in 1993 for "Ain't That Lonely Yet".

Los Lobos was the first band to take Dwight on tour as an opening act.

Gibson Guitars issued a Dwight signature acoustic guitar called the Y2K. A very limited amount was manufactured.

In 1995, he toured Australia for the very first time in support of his CD "Gone".

Made his big screen acting debut in "Red Rock West" with Nicholas Cage.

Made his TV acting debut on "P.S. I Love You" in 1991.

Received the Premiere Performance Award at the 57th Annual Motion Picture Club Awards for his role as Doyle Hargraves in "Sling Blade".

Won his second Grammy in "Best Country Collaboration" for "Same Old Train" in 1999.

Buck Owens gave Dwight a 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville to congratulate him on his first number one song.

Inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame on February 21, 2008.

Personal Quotes

I got a little bashed up, but thanks to David [Fincher] it was well worth it. I burst a bursa sac on my elbow and cracked ribs and (suffered) hyper-extended thumbs. [On his injuries while filming Panic Room]

I save a lot of things, but I weed through them from time to time. I like to think of myself as an orderly pack-rat.

I've been to Graceland twice - Priscilla & Sam Phillips gave me a personal tour.

Dwight Yoakam

Kathy Coleman, Dwight Yoakam