ARTIST SPOTLIGHT = Dwight Yoakum (5 songs)

This Pikeville KY-native singer-songwriter-guitarist also acted in the movies ‘Sling Blade’, ‘The Newton Boys’ & ‘Panic Room’. He played in southern OH before moving to Los Angeles CA.

#1
After his debut release (1986’s “Honky Tonk Man”) peaked at #3, this song hit the airwaves 07/12/1986, spent 21 weeks on the charts & reached #4. His 3rd & final release in 1986 stalled at #31. Then, his 1st release in 1987, “Little Sister”, sparked a string of 7 straight Top 10s when it notched at #7.

#2
This song debuted 11/12/1988, spent 21 weeks on the charts & claimed #1 in early 1989; it is his only solo chart topper. His prior release, 1988’s “Streets Of Bakersfield”, also claimed #1, but it was a duet with Buck Owens. The 2 chart toppers were his 5th & 6th straight Top 10s, in a string of 7 that also included such tunes as 1987’s “Little Ways” (#8) & 1989’s “I Got You” (#5).

#3
Of 9 releases mid 1989-late 1992, only 2 reached the Top 10: 1991’s “You’re The 1” (#5) & 1991-2’s “It Only Hurts When I Cry” (#7). This song debuted 03/13/1993 & spent 20 weeks on the charts, 3 of those at #2; it also won him the Country Male Vocal Grammy.

#4
Cool video for this song, perhaps my favorite of his. This single debuted 06/26/1993, spent 20 weeks on the charts & peaked at #2; it was the 2nd of 3 straight #2 hits, all 3 of which easily could’ve been chart toppers. This song was popular during the fall of my sophomore year of college & fit with me perfectly; still does in some ways.

#5
The last of 3 straight Top 5 singles & his last Top 10, this song debuted 07/03/1993, spent 20 weeks on the charts & peaked at #2 in early 1994. Of 17 releases early 1994-late 2005, only 4 reached the Top 20: 1994’s “Try Not To Look So Pretty” (#14), 1995’s “Nothing” (#20), 1998’s “Things Change” (#17) & 1999’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (#12).