If you are a creative spirit looking to do it professionally, you know better than anyone that there is no easy way to achieve that goal. It takes countless failures to even sniff the air you so badly want to sniff. However, it only takes one “yes” to finally breathe it in. Well, the only way you can breathe it in is through persistence and resilience. And one country artist who knows all about both of those things is Dwight Yoakam.
Dwight Yoakam’s road to success might seem easy thanks to his now illustrious career. However, his journey to that point was filled with failure, rejection, and a whole lot of self-doubt. Although, this is his passion, and nothing nor nobody was going to stop him from pursuing it, not even the country music capital of Nashville.
Behind Dwight Yoakam’s Nashville Rejection
In a recent interview with AXS TV, Dwight Yoakam transparently divulged the hard truths behind his current career and what transpired to make it a reality. Regarding his blow-up single “Guitars and Cadillacs,” Yoakam stated, “Nashville has never really been about live performance. It was about song publishing and songwriting. That’s the access point.”
Yoakam at heart was and still is a live performer, so given his connotation of Nashville, it wasn’t a fit for him. He further explained, “That just wasn’t the nature of Nashville. I did audition at the Grand Ole Opry amusement park, Opry Land, and I was picked as an alternate.” Yoakam’s failures did not define him or his career, as he has gone on to become a living legend.
Since releasing “Guitars and Cadillacs” in 1985, Yoakam has gone on to score two No. 1 hits, 13 top 10 hits, two Grammy awards, and one ACM award. Furthermore, he has collaborated with Post Malone, Buck Owens, John Mellencamp, Ralph Stanley, Allison Krauss & Union Station, as well as numerous other decorated artists. Also, it should go without saying, but Yoakam appeared in the feature films Sling Blade, Wedding Crashers, and Cry Macho with Clint Eastwood. In all, Yoakam didn’t need Nashville. However, Nashville probably now wishes he did.
As of today, Dwight Yoakam still continues to make music and tour around the country. Currently, Yoakam is on his Cosmic Roundup & Rodeo Tour, which runs through 2025. Nevertheless, at 68 years old, Dwight Yoakam would not have gotten as far as he has if it weren’t for his persistence and resilience. So, for you dreamers out there, remember Dwight Yoakam. If he can do it, you just might be able to as well.
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