Dwight Yoakam (born October 23, 1956) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actor, a leading figure in the neotraditional country movement. Emerging in the mid-1980s, he helped revitalize the Bakersfield sound and honky-tonk, offering an alternative to the dominant country pop of Nashville. His debut album, *Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.* (1986), was a multi-platinum critical and commercial success, defining his style that blends country tradition with rock and roll energy. His discography includes over 25 million records sold and numerous hits, including "Honky Tonk Man," "A Thousand Miles from Nowhere," and the duet with Buck Owens, "Streets of Bakersfield." Alongside his music career, Yoakam has established himself as a character actor, appearing in acclaimed films such as *Sling Blade* and *Panic Room*. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades, including two Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, confirming his status as an influential and innovative artist.