(August 2025) Episode 667 is DWIGHT YOAKAM. He emerged in the 1980s as a throwback to the basics of honky tonk and Bakersfield when country music was doing other things. The recent episode on Buck Owens gave me an appreciation of that style, so moving to Yoakam seemed natural. While I didn’t listen to his music back in the day, I did sense that his image was genuine rather than phony. In his 20-some recordings over the years he has shifted his style but always comes back to his roots. He does a respectful job covering others’ songs.
Favorite album: Buenos Noches from a Lonely Room
Favorite song: Guitars, Cadillacs
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: The first three albums seem pretty classic. 2012’s 3 Pears is a good later one.
Opus Project 