Born in Kentucky. Raised in Ohio. Perfected in California.
That’s the ol’ Dwight Yoakam adage. It’s no secret the Kentucky native gave Nashville a try in 1977 before becoming disinterested with the city’s pop-country proclivity. Instead, he boot-scooted across the heartland to California, where he found himself better suited to the L.A. Cowpunk scene with The Blasters, X, Rank & File and others. The Nashville-to-L.A. move was a pretty good decision, to say the least. In his 30-plus-year career, the hillbilly-music maverick has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, earned 21 Grammy nominations and charted five Billboard No. 1 albums.
Broadcast Music Inc will present Dwight Yoakam with its President’s Award at the 67th BMI Country Awards in Nashville on Nov. 12.
The BMI President’s Award is presented to songwriters who have “distinctly and profoundly influenced the entertainment industry.” Past recipients include Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Harlan Howard, Billy Sherrill, Pink, Toni Braxon and more.
In addition to the President’s Award, BMI will bestow the inaugural Legacy Award (posthumously) to Felice and Boudleaux Bryant for penning “Rocky Top.” BMI will also crown the Country Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year.
