The Rebel Who Brought Bakersfield Back
Country outlaw, denim legend, and all-around honky-tonk heartthrob Dwight Yoakam turns another year older today and we’re raising a glass of bourbon to the man who made it cool to be country and rock ‘n’ roll at the same time.
Born October 23, 1956, Dwight didn’t come out of Nashville like most of the big hats in the business. No sir. He kicked the Music City machine in the teeth and brought the raw, twangy spirit of the Bakersfield Sound roaring back to life at a time when country music was drowning in syrupy ballads and pop gloss.
What’s the Bakersfield Sound, you ask? Think hard guitars, loud amps and a don’t-give-a-damn attitude. Think Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, guys who played honky-tonks instead of writing tearjerkers for suburban moms. That’s what Dwight tapped into and, man, did he run with it.
In the ’80s, when everyone else was chasing glossy studio perfection, Dwight showed up in tight jeans, a crooked cowboy hat and a Telecaster that cut like a chainsaw. His 1986 debut Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. was a shot of adrenaline to the heart of country music. He didn’t just bring Bakersfield back, he made it hotter than ever.
With tracks like “Honky Tonk Man,” “Little Sister” and “Fast as You,” Dwight reminded everyone that country music was supposed to have grit. The guy didn’t just sing, he dripped swagger. He looked like Elvis, sounded like Merle and wrote songs like nobody else.
The best part? He never sold out. Even after selling millions of records, snagging Grammys and starring in Hollywood films, Dwight stayed true to that hard-driving Bakersfield beat. While Nashville kept polishing its boots, Dwight kept kicking dust.
So today, as the legend blows out another candle, let’s remember what Dwight Yoakam gave us, steel guitars, real heartbreak and a whole lotta attitude. He didn’t just play country music, he saved it.
Happy Birthday, Dwight. Keep on honky-tonkin’.
