There are only a few country musicians who have proven it takes more than a hat and guitar to become a country star, Dwight Yoakam is one of such singers; his robust career has placed him far above many of his contemporaries.
Yoakam stands out for his classic flow, thought-provoking lines, fresh vibes, and above all, his soothing voice and super performances. Best described as a country music legend, the iconic singer boasts two Grammy Awards, over forty nominations and twenty albums and compilations. He has also sold more 25 million records worldwide, charted over thirty hit singles on the Hot Country Songs Billboard charts, recorded about nine platinum albums, twelve gold albums as well as other enviable achievements.
Definitely one of the greatest stars on the mic, the country star holds a record as the most featured music artist in the history of the American late-night talk show, The Tonight Show.
Besides being a phenomenal singer, Dwight plies his trade in the movie industry as well. He made his film debut in the 1993 neo-noir movie Red Rock West and his television acting debut in the 1991 crime drama P.S.I. Luv U. He has also made on-screen appearances in the following films, Panic Room (2002), The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada (2005), The Minus Man (1999), Dirty Girl (2010), Sling Blade (1996), The Newton Boys (1998), and much more.
Dwight Yoakam Bio (Age)
The country rock singer was named Dwight David Yoakam after his birth on October 23, 1956. Yoakam was born to David Yoakam (father) and Ruth Ann Yoakam (mother) in Pikeville, Kentucky, in the United States but was raised in Columbas, Ohio.
As gathered, his mother was a key-punch operator while his father owned a gas station. The country star is said to have attended North High School where he actively participated in his school’s drama and music events. By the time Dwight graduated from high school in 1974, he was armed with the basic knowledge on acting and singing, having portrayed lead characters in many classic plays such as Flowers for Algernon.
Outside the walls of North High School, Dwight was known for singing and playing the guitar with several local garage bands. Upon his high school graduation, he proceeded to Ohio State University to study history and philosophy. He, however, abandoned his studies and relocated to Los Angeles in 1977 to pursue a career in record production.
Yoakam’s Daughter; Is He Married, Who Is His Wife?
The Grammy award-winning singer has never been married to any woman in his lifetime. However, he has been in relationships with a slew of high-profile women, including Bridget Fonda, Karen Duffy, Sharon Stone, and Wynonna Judd.
Yoakam’s first attempt at a relationship was with Sharon Stone, whom he dated in 1992. After breaking up with her, he began to date Karen Duffy but later called it quits after one year. He has also been romantically linked to Bridget Fonda, whom he dated from 1999 to 2002. The singer is said to have also had a short-lived relationship with Wynonna Judd.
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Currently, he is an item with Emily Joyce. The pair began dating in 2013 and has been growing stronger in their relationship with each passing day. Joyce and Dwight are yet to have any children and, to the best of our knowledge, the musician has no daughter as his previous relationships with the aforementioned top notch hotties didn’t produce children.
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Quick Facts about Dwight Yoakam
1. The veteran country singer was awarded an honorary doctorate by Ohio Valley University in Parkersburg, West Virginia, on May 7, 2005.
2. Dwight’s favorite and worst subjects in school were history and mathematics.
3. He taught himself guitar, has two dogs called Uma and Luka.
4. Yoakam is a vegetarian, he has a food brand called Bakersfield Biscuits.
5. The Pikeville-born singer bought his iconic cowboy hat in 1979.
6. On February 21, 2008, Dwight was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
7. Dwight currently lives in Los Angeles, California. He has been living in the city since 1977.
8. The country musician has two younger siblings. Their names are Kimberly Yoakam (sister) and Roland Yoakam (brother).
9. Dwight Yoakam’s song Ain’t That Lonely Yet earned him his first Grammy in 1994 while his second Grammy award came in 1999.