August 21st
Dwight Yoakam w/ Sturgill Simpson
Sumtur Amphitheater, 11691 South 108th St.
7 p.m., $40 in advance/$45 day-of-show, onepercentproductions.com
Dwight Yoakam has taken up an odd position in country music, having scored several hits but seemingly existing outside of the mainstream Nashville sounds of the last 25 years of country music. By embracing both elements of roots and rock music, Yoakam generated a hip spin on classic country honky tonk. His “Guitar, Cadillacs” has become an American standard, while his other early material paved the way for similarly-minded acts like Chris Isaak to cross over to the pop charts. The early rockabilly, twang-rockin’ days led Yoakam to share bills with bands as varied as Los Lobos, Husker Du, X and the Blasters. Since his 1986 debut, Yoakam as cemented his reputation as a country rock pioneer and his popularity has even carried over to an acting career, aided by his well-reviewed role in the 1996 film Sling Blade. Come early for Sturgill Simpson, an emerging songwriter who mixes his own honky tonk twang with hard-drinkin’ outlaw country grit.