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Dwight Yoakam wears the tightest pants I’ve ever seen on a grown man. Seriously, they’re snug enough to make the cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” album look like a JCPenney catalog. The guy’s cleared 50 and still uses “drainpipe” as an adjective. It’s a completely awesome look that hearkens back to his days as the lone honky-tonker on L.A.’s nascent ’80s hard-core scene. Yoakam’s Palomino Stage set gave constant affirmation to the idea that grizzled country vets really do get better with age, and never have to really give up the cocky flash of youth.
Yoakam began his career as a refugee in L.A. whose ideas were too country for ’80s pop-inclined Nashville. But in a way, his polyglot tastes foretold the coming of contemporary alt-country. Yoakam saw no borders between Rick Nelson, Willie Nelson and Exene Cervenka, and his deep quiver of hits like “Guitars, Cadillacs” and “Honky Tonk Man” haven’t lost an inch of their prescience or vigor in 20 years. Yoakam’s bulldog tenor only gets riper and deeper, and judging by recent solo work like “Blame the Vain,” his songwriting chops are still at full speed. It’s not quite pop music, but more like post-modern folk: songs meant to be passed down through generations of outcasts.
I saw a crazier crowd at Kenny Chesney’s Stagecoach-closing set last year, but I haven’t yet encountered another devoted lovefest like the one Yoakam got this weekend. Every alt-kid, rockabilly survivor, Latina hot-rodder and the rest of Stagecoach’s misfits all came under this tent to pay rowdy respect to a singer-songwriter who’s done as much as any to keep the fangs in modern pop-inclined country. Tim McGraw can keep the ballads, Chesney can do the party hits, but as long as Yoakam’s in the corner looking surly with a flask full of bad intentions, country music will be just fine.
– August Brown
Photo by Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times
dwight is the best going and like elvis and the beatles he cant be replaced
As a long-time Dwight fan and fellow KY boy, I loved this review and was happy to hear he performed well…although I think Dwight was wearing his tight jeans long before the term “emo” was being passed around!
Deeewight is the man ! He’s right up there with MY Elvis and Frank!! I totally totally love him! I’m in my 60’s and yes, I go to all his concerts in my area and make a total, total fool of myself! Several times now people have given up their front row seats when they see an oldie like me flipping out! If you’re in the Phoenix area, look for the crazy white-haired lady “swooning” over this guy…for all you young uns out there, swooning means going absolutely crazy for this guy! Several times at his concerts, when people see this old gal going nuts over Dwight, they’ve given up their front row seats for me to get even closer…Love Love Love this guy. Next time you’re at a concert to see Dwight in Phoenix, look for the silver haired lady who can’t get enough of him!!! Dwight is THE man…what I feel and think of him is the same as I felt and thought about Elvis many moons ago…
Proving I’m the biggest fan of Dwight, I mentioned TWICE about people giving up their front row seat to me…that’s a hint for everyone that I expect YOU to give me Your front row seat!!!!
THERE HAS ONLY BEEN THREE MUSIC GREATS ELVIS PRESLEY,THE BEATLES AND DWIGHT YOAKAM
Being only 13, I have come long way of having an obsession and love of him. I have about 305 pics of him in a file on my pc. I love going to his concerts and listening to him on my iPod; I have 91 songs of his on there and still getting more! Whenever i mention Dwight, all of my friends reply with a puzzled “huh?”. I don’t care what they say about him, I LOVE HIM MAN. I can recite his WHOLE biography. I also own about 12 of his CD’s. Next time he comes to little old Delaware, you’ll see me singing along with his soothing music. Dwight Yoakam’s songs and movies have become habitual to me; I listen to all of the songs I own of his everyday. I have a problem; I AM OBSESSED WITH HIM, I
How DOES he get those boots on under those tight blue jeans?
Dwight, yer looking great!
When you combine the musical gifts of Elvis, Hank and Cash, you get Deewight Yoakam, The absolute best entertainer ever, period!!!
Go Dwight go. Your the best. Me and my Mama thinks your great. I hope you get to read this. We love your singing and music.
dwight is the king.
The “first time” I ever heard Dwight, he was THE one and has been THE one ever since. Let’s see that was way over 20 years ago. When I see cover bands, my line is, “Play some Dwight!!!” If they do, they I know they are bonafide country. Dwight’s my screensaver at work and home - he’s my inspiration for tradition, innovation, and being true to oneself. Yeah, Baby!! I’m so, so pleased he’s touring this year! I’ve missed seeing him. Stay cool, and play on…Dwight.
First, kudos to August Brown, I haven’t seen a music critic that articulate in years.
Second, Dwight proved what tools the Nashville establishment are.
How can someone in Tennessee say someone’s “too country”?
Someone ahead of me mentioned Dwight’s crossed 50, with Cash, E, Waylon, Frank, Buck, Dino, H Sr., and Stevie Ray Vuaghn gone: Who will be the next heir to honest American music?
Springsteen, Petty, and Melanomacamp have all had the mantle in their hands and dropped it.
We need Dwight to keep soldiering on, because right now, no reinforcements are in sight.
Oops, Stevie Ray Vaughn
There are a few guys out there doing their own thing that carry that burden. But sadly, most listeners don’t know about them because of how the music industry is today. I would put guys like Dale Watson, Shooter Jennings, Hank III in that category to me. However, they are so alt-country that it will probably never get to the masses and let’s face it they are NO Dwight Yoakam. The only one I know of that really has what it takes to be a mainstream country artist and pull the fans of honest American music in is a guy named JD Myers. I have both of his albums and the rough mixes of the new stuff he’s working on, go see this guy play in downtown Nashville every single week and cannot believe he’s not got a major label deal anymore and he’s down there playing for tips. It’s complete insanity.
I just caught Dwight Yoakam at the San Diego Fair last night. It was awesome this cowboy dont miss a beat.It had me two steppin in the isle.
i too, join the masses of many who sing dwight’s praises. he may be a west coast resident but he lives in the hearts of all of us who are his fans. i am 66 years old and not ashamed to admit i’m a big fan of dwight and his music. he has talent, looks, style, the manners of a real gentleman and every other possible quality to make a real star and hero. by doing “dwight sings buck” he’s also shown us he can do love songs
in addition to all other genres he sings. my hope is he will find the “love” of his life and share his remaining years with that someone. he so deserves to. many, many thanks dwight and thank you also for this review. florencerc.
Having spent my life with my head in the sand, I guess, I never heard of Dwight until 2006 when I bought his “best of” and “Blame the Vain” CDs and became an instant fan!! He’s even more awesome to see perform live, and though I don’t live in CA, I try to see him as much as possible. His songs are all catchy and well-crafted, his voice is always strong and clear, and those MOVES (need I say more)? Heard he put on a great show at Stagecoach and also in Nashville at Fan Fest. Then again, he always does…. IMHO, this man belongs in the Country Music Hall of Fame. He’s got more talent in his little finger than a lot of these major so-called “country” acts today. Love ya, Dwight!!
Dwight, i’ve been a fan since the beginning. Hell, my late uncle James Cerar Sr. used to babysit you. Your music is unmatched. Take care, Joe
I saw Dwight in Australia 2 years ago he was and still is the best.
I would like to be lucky as you people in America to see him more reguarly but cannot so just keep playing and watching eveything available.
Just tell the chick from Phoenix,that she’s the secend biggest fan.The #1 Lives in the Florida panhandle.
do not EVER mention the word emo ANYWHERE around the name Dwight Yoakam EVER again.
I am another Aussie who cant wait for Dwights next Australian visit. Hurry back!!! I am a huge fan of every album and every song but Dwight Sings Bucks is a discovery of an amazing voice and singer in every song. Can see why Buck loved you so much, he would be very proud. Please dont leave us hanging too long before you visit again we need a regular fix of you too. TTFN!!
I used to a big Dwight fan and then I met a guy who so much like Dwight I had to marry him. Well, that did not go so well and it made me not want to look at Dwight for awhile. But I am now over that and I have found Dwight once again. He is and always will be the greatest.