One glimpse of that signature white cowboy hat, or hearing even a few bars of “Fast As You,” and you’ll know him. Kentucky-born Dwight Yoakam emerged onto the (shudder) “new” country scene in the mid-’80s and proved to be the real deal – apparently too much so for Nashville music industry moguls because they didn’t know what in blazes to do with him. When it got right down to it, Yoakam wasn’t really fitting into any sort of genre. He’d already made his mark as a rebel without even trying. Yoakam’s brand of fierce rock-n-country showed off a truly unique style while paying tribute to the genuine country outlaws before him.
He’s still going strong today, and he’s playing not one but two shows in Austin, tonight and tomorrow night, at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater, 801 Red River. Gates open at 7 p.m. LA-based country-western songwriter Mike Stinson starts things out for Yoakam this evening, while Nashville Americana/country-rock goddess Lilly Hiatt is the guest opener for tomorrow.
However, dear Austin Music Minute follower, let us not forget some very awesome after-shows that are following these performances! Even if you don’t have the chance to see Dwight be his badass self, you’ve got some local talent that’s the perfect fit:
– Tonight: Two sets of honky-tonk hoodlum bands causing a ruckus (and quite proud of it, too), Mike & The Moonpies and Them Duqaines. You may have seen them both wreaking havoc at The White Horse. Makes me proud.
-Saturday: One of the best damn quintets around, Mice and Rifles, brings an exquisite and unsettling alt.-country/folk that is nothing short of brilliant. And the resonating strums and twangs of Ukeladies & The Tramps are sure to get the party started.
Admission to both shows is free with your concert ticket. Mr. Yoakam, if I may be so bold: It’d do you right to check these bands out. You won’t be disappointed. Cheers.
