Dwight Yoakam is a successful country musician from Kentucky. He began his rise to success in the 1980’s and was wildly influential to the genre as well as other country musicians. Unlike other country artists, Yoakam gained popularity by performing in Los Angeles, CA to large, appreciative audiences who had not been exposed previously to significant amounts of country and western music. By branching outside of what was then a secluded country music community, he was able to acquire and experiment with a much more diverse audience. Over the course of his career, he has recorded multiple successful albums and sold millions. He remains an impacting and respected figure in the country music world.