Coal Miner's Son
An authentic son of Kentucky coal miners, Yoakam taught himself how to play guitar and write songs from the soul. But he still had to struggle to get them heard. Nashville in 1984 wasn't ready for someone to come in and tell them they were handling music wrong. He was frozen out and made a hasty retreat to California, where he took a few hard knocks before meeting up with Pete Anderson, who gave him solid backing as guitarist and record producer.
First big album
"Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc." was released in 1986. With hits like a cover of the Johnny Horton song, "Honky-Tonk Man," Yoakam was on his way. He followed up with Hillbilly Deluxe and Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room. In 1993 he hit the top of his game with the phenomenal This Time, which gave him five major hits. He continued to play with genre and style, always
leaning toward his hillbilly traditions. But by 1995, traditional country music was on the decline.
Yoakam faded from the spotlight as Warner/Reprise turned to newer, hipper, singers. His only major hit in the second half of the decade was a cover of Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." In 2003, Yoakam broke with Anderson, took his leave from Warner/Reprise, and set out on his own to continue to make music the way he wants it - raw, real, and 100% authentic, as he always insists it be.
for Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc.
- for Hillbilly Deluxe
- for Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room
- for This Time