Filed under: Music
Gee, I hope Matthew doesn’t get jealous, but I’m writing about a new man today.
If someone were to ask me about country music, I would say that I am not a country music fan. And I’m not, but there is something about Dwight Yoakam’s music that totally appeals to me. Dwight burst on the scene in 1986 and his Kentucky-bred voice has been wailing from my speakers now for over twenty years. His music is pure honky-tonk and I dearly love singing along.
The Bakersfield Sound is a country music genre that emerged in the mid- to late 50’s as a reaction against the slickly produced Nashville sound. Needless to say, the genre developed in honky tonk bars in and around Bakersfield, California. Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and the Derailers are some of the innovators of the Bakersfield Sound. And, in my opinion, Dwight Yoakam’s body of work has brought the genre to a whole new level.
The Bakersfield Sound takes some stylistic elements from rock ‘n roll. The music generally has a driving backbeat and a picking style of guitar playing rather than strumming. Throw in some pedal steel guitar, a fiddle or two and sometimes a mandolin and you have the basics of the Bakersfield Sound. Dwight’s instrumentation has fleshed out over the years, but he still stays true to the original sound.
Now, I know he’s bald under that cowboy hat, but with those skin tight jeans, cowboy boots and that totally cool attitude, Dwight is a force to be reckoned with. His music speaks to me and I can imagine that walk on the ‘Streets of Bakersfield’.
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A Day In The Life 
I agree with you. Compare to other country music…he is unique in a great way. He is not that bad of an actor either.
Great post with pics. 😀
Comment by Debbie July 31, 2007 @ 8:15 amI used to like quite a few of his songs.. never cared to look at him much but now I don’t really like his sound anymore.. I would much rather listen to Tim McGraw and of course would rather look at him as well… lol
*sad there was not matt pics* lol
Comment by Tonya July 31, 2007 @ 8:49 amI agree with Tonya, I am a little sad there weren’t any Matthew pics. 🙂 Maybe we can make up for that later. 🙂
I like Dwight. He can really move in those tight jeans too. Saw him in concert once, it was really good.
I love your new look by the way.
Comment by Julie July 31, 2007 @ 11:33 amDwight can sing, but he ain’t no Mathew. Those skinny chicken legs and hiding his baldness with a HAT. Sigh…we want Mathew back!
Comment by Susan July 31, 2007 @ 11:53 amI never understood how Dwight ever got into his jeans or leather pants… but what the heck, who cares?!?! He looks amazing in them when he’s boot-scooting across the stage!!
And he does have a very unique voice. “Long White Cadillac” is one of my favorites!!
Comment by Jodi July 31, 2007 @ 1:06 pmI wonder if they sew him into those jeans. He can’t hold a candle to Matthew.
Comment by Betty July 31, 2007 @ 2:14 pmI have liked him ever since I first saw those long skinny legs. The first song I remember was “Aint that lonely yet”. I like him better than Matthew any day.
Comment by gawilli August 1, 2007 @ 9:33 pmThe skinny legs are one thing, but what about his teeth???? Inside his mouth it is like a graveyard and I like him better when he doesn’t laugh at all. He must make a few bucks with his singing, why not spend some of it on a dentist.
Comment by Liz May 30, 2008 @ 6:11 amDwight is okay to listen to but not to look at.
dwight yoakam:
– distinctively great voice & music style
– amazing acting skills
– ultra cool persona
– intelligent
what’s not to like?
Comment by bunny October 5, 2008 @ 9:02 pm