Dwight Yoakam was born in Pikeville, Kentucky on October 23, 1956. He is the son of David and Ruth Ann Yoakam, who worked as a gas station owner and key-punch operator, respectively. The family moved from Kentucky to Columbus, Ohio in Dwight’s youth and he graduated from the city’s Northland High School. After a brief stint at Ohio State University, Yoakam moved to Nashville to pursue his dream of a becoming a recording artist. He found little interest in his rock-infused brand of country and moved to Los Angeles where he performed alongside a diverse mix of rock bands including Los Lobos. After releasing one EP through an independent label, Yoakam signed to Reprise Records and released his career launching album “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.” The album shot to number one on the Billboard Country Albums chart and featured his first hit single “Honky Tonk Man.”