Biography
Hailed as a "new traditionalist" who helped re-claim country music from its homogenized decline in the 1980s, platinum-selling musician and songwriter Dwight Yoakam eventually brought his hillbilly swagger to screens big and small with a steady string of often villainous character roles. The singer's tendency to lurk mysteriously in a half-moon shadow beneath a low cowboy hat led to his initial casting as no-nonsense rednecks in Western-set …
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Career Milestones
| Born in Kentucky | ||
| Moved to Nashville in the late 1970s; met Pete Anderson | ||
| Raised in Columbus, Ohio | ||
| While in high school, formed first bands | ||
| With Anderson, moved to L.A. | ||
1962 | Learned to play guitar at age six (date approximate) | |
1965 | Reportedly wrote his first song at age nine, "How Far Is Heaven", inspired by news coverage of the Vietnam War (date approximate) | |
1984 | Released first recording, an EP titled "A Town SOuth of Bakersfield"; based on airplay in L.A., was signed by Reprise Records | |
1986 | Released debut album, "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc. Etc." | |
1991 | TV acting debut, guest appearance on the short-lived series "P.S. I Luv You"; had played himself in the pilot for the series | |
1992 | Headlined own special "Dwight Yoakam in Concert" on The Nashville Network | |
1993 | Made feature acting debut in John Dahl's "Red Rock West" | |
1993 | Stage acting debut, "Southern Rapture", directed by Peter Fonda | |
1994 | TV-movie acting debut, "Roswell" (Showtime) | |
1995 | First leading role in a feature, "Painted Hero" | |
1996 | Breakthrough screen role, "Sling Blade", directed by Billy Bob Thornton | |
1998 | Had featured role in "The Newton Boys" | |
2000 | Feature directorial debut, "South of Heaven, West of Hell"; also co-wrote script | |
2002 | Played one of a trio menacing a woman and a child while searching for missing money in "Panic Room" | |
2002 | Served as a producer on the road picture-comedy "Waking Up in Reno", featuring Billy Bob Thornton | |
2003 | Appeared in a small role in the action-comedy "Hollywood Homicide" | |
Awards
1993 | Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male |
1997 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in Sling Blade |
1998 | Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals |