Dwight Yoakam is a country music legend and he certainly proved it at a concert I went to last night. His voice has never sounded better, and his selection of songs was fantastic. He did many of his great hit songs including Fast as You, Honky Tonk Man, Guitars, Cadillacs, Turn It Up, Turn Me On, Turn Me Lose, It Only Hurts When I Cry, Streets of Bakersfield and A Thousand Miles From Nowhere. These songs were performed with pure energy and joy from Dwight. He certainly showed that at 62, there are no signs of him slowing down. He did his great signature moves on stage much to the delight of the whole audience. As well as performing his own hits he did quite a few covers of hits by other artists. One thing that always amazes me about Dwight is his ability to cover someone else's song and make it completely his own. He certainly showed that here with fantastic covers of songs by The Eagles (Peaceful Easy Feeling) and Buck Owens (Act Naturally). Since this was a California country music concert he even did a three song tribute to the great late Merle Haggard. He performed three of Merle's biggest his to absolute perfection. These were Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down, Swinging Doors and Okie From Muskogee. As well as playing incredible music Dwight proved himself to be excellent at talking to the audience. He reminisced about his early days in Southern California, causing many audience members to cheer loudly. He also gave us a history lesson on Southern California, country-rock showing his pure knowledge of that type of music. He even complemented a man wearing an Angels hat. This was everything you could want from a country music concert and more.
But wait there was an opening act as well. This was the new country band, Midland. I admit not being as familiar with them, but they certainly impressed me. Since they haven't even released their second album yet, it is fair to say they gave us a major selection of their music. These songs were very good and the band's musicianship was excellent. They even through in some great covers of Jerry Reed (Eastbound and Down) and Tom Petty (Last Dane With Mary Jane). I certainly look forward to hearing what they do in the future.
If you are a country music fan like me and you ever have the chance to see Dwight live, do not pass it up, he puts on one of the best concerts I have ever seen. In fact if you have a chance to see Midland live, I would recommend that as well.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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