On Sept. 18, 2024, country music singer-songwriter Dwight Yoakam was honored by The Americana Music Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his country music and its artistic impact in the Americana roots music genre.
His creative process ultimately took him beyond country music. At times, his genre-defying songs made him more of a mysterious figure rather than a main character in music. His latest award recognition shows he’s found a home among Americana musicians and listeners who, like Yoakam, view the country genre as a fusion of several different stylings—from bluegrass to gospel and blues.
