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Dwight Yoakam: Kentucky born, Ohio raised; Tennessee jilted, California praised. That's the way the story goes, at least. In 1977 when Dwight moved to Nashville to pursue his honky-tonk dreams, Nashville was moving away from the traditional and Countrypolitan sound it had spent the better part of a century developing, and more towards the pop-country that still inhabits its airwaves. Dwight found that his musical aspirations were better suited on the leading edge of the post-Bakersfield, Los Angeles “Cowpunk” scene where his music was better received by the West coast punks and drunks than the then-current Music City establishment. The Nashville industry eventually embraced the LA-based outsider in the late 80’s and Dwight Yoakam turned out to be one of the best damn artists country music has ever known. Today, the massive influence of Yoakam’s unique style of country music on Nashville is clearly demonstrated by the sheer number of times "Guitars, Cadillacs" is picked on lower Broadway each day. It never gets old. It's practically the city anthem.
Third Man Records, as you know, is thrilled to call Nashville home to its label headquarters, and calling Nashville home means putting out some real country music records. We did it earlier this year from one Margo Price, and we're doing it again now, just in time for the CMA Music Festival next week. Dwight Yoakam recently took to the studio with our fearless leader Jack White III to record two of the swingin'est tunes we've ever had covered in our Blue Series: "Tomorrow's Gonna Be Another Day" (Boyce/Venet, popularized by The Monkees) b/w "High On The Mountain of Love" (Dorman, popularized by Kenny Lynch, then Johnny Rivers, then the Beach Boys, and recorded by many others along the way). Produced by White and backed by the Third Man band of all-stars — Lillie Mae Rische, Daru Jones, Cory Younts, Dominic Davis, Fats Kaplin — these two renditions, into which Dwight's delivery breathes new life, proves that with the right artist behind the microphone, any song'll make an even better country song. Now, have you ever heard anything more Nashville than that?
Refine or unrefned, it’s ever so cool sharing thoughts with ya.
If only I had been so witty 17 years ago looking at my cat coming up with that as my one and only chat name in the days of dial up. Cognitating Feline sounds so much more refined. What can I say for my unrefined self of 1999. Though I have changed I also stay the same, og thinking cat is my profile photo. Rip Miss Missy aka athinkingcat.
And you know I’ve said the same as the rest of what you wrote, O’ Cogitatin’ Feline. Whenever the folks at TMR ever experience something that makes them feel low, I hope they stop and remember how much they’ve expanded so many of our minds and lives, musically and in so many other ways.
Kali I would have said the same about 4 years ago. Then blunderbuss came along and it led me in a round about way to local now Nashville based Americana folk roots music artist Billy Strings. And from there my openess to try new things both musically and otherwise has expanded immensely. To see all these new things you are trying all the time Jack and crew is really enriching and inspiring how I have been changing how I’m living what I’m living for and how much more I appreciate so much. It has even changed my openess to new friends and people in general. Art and artistry has changed how I view the world and made my life much happier and better. To my friends you know who you are reading this I love you thank you all for being a part of my life, sharing, caring, growing, and taking new chances with me. Virtual hugs to you all.
SWEET!!! I’ll be in the Corridor next Friday morning to get it!!!
Ill give yall a fucking kidney if I can get this on tri-color.
YES YES YES! Love Dwight!
If anyone had told me a few years ago that I was going to end up getting into country music, I would have looked at them like they had three heads. But then I never imagined I’d find myself listening to Tom Jones or Beyonce, either. Thank you, Jack, this ride is so damned much fun.