As the sun dipped below Los Angeles’ horizon, Dwight Yoakam, seated high above the iconic Sunset Strip, wiped tears from his eyes. The emotion was palpable, but it wasn’t heartache that moved the 68-year-old country music star; it was joy. In a moment reminiscent of his own honky-tonk ballads, Yoakam reflected on the path that has led him to this point — from his groundbreaking 1984 debut, “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.” to a career defined by chart-topping hits and a rebellious streak that left an indelible mark on country music.
This month marks 40 years since that pivotal indie EP shook up country’s stagnation in the mid-1980s. Yoakam’s relentless drive and distinctive style earned him over a dozen Top 10 hits and six platinum albums, all while he stood apart from Nashville’s mainstream machine. Now, he is poised to release his 18th studio album, Brighter Days, on his own label — a project that captures both his enduring spirit and a newfound lightness, thanks in large part to his family. During the pandemic, Yoakam quietly married photographer Emily Joyce, and together they share a 4-year-old son, Dalton.
“I’ve known the two of them since before I ever met them,” Yoakam said, pausing to collect himself. “Not to get overly metaphysical, but our connection in the universe, to one another, precedes us and will continue beyond us.”
Brighter Days rounds out a thematic trilogy in Yoakam’s recent work, blending reinterpretations of tracks by the Carter Family, the Byrds, and Cake with fresh material. True to form, it’s Yoakam’s most collaborative album yet — a testament to both his evolving artistry and his enduring legacy in country music.
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