Dwight Yoakam arrives at the Premiere Of Universal Pictures' "Couples Retreat"
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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Today's catch of the day comes from a true country music pioneer, that we haven't heard from in a while.

In April, Dwight Yoakam's new album, Second Hand Heart, debuted at #2 on the country album chart, making it the highest charting album by Yoakam since Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room, which hit the top of the charts in 1988. The album, his 15th studio album, sold more than 40,000 copies in its first week of release.

When Yoakam began his career, Nashville was oriented toward pop-friendly "urban cowboy"; Yoakam's brand of hip honky tonk music was not considered marketable. Not making much headway in Nashville, Yoakam moved to Los Angeles and worked towards bringing his particular brand of new Honky Tonk forward into the 1980s. Writing all his own songs, and continuing to perform mostly outside traditional country music channels, Yoakam did many shows in rock and punk rock clubs around Los Angeles. This helped him diversify his audience beyond the typical country music fans, and his authentic, groundbreaking music is often credited with rock audiences accepting country music.

Dwight Yoakam performs during day 2 of Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival
Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images
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Yoakam's recording debut was the self-financed EP Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. on independent label Oak Records, featuring the hits "Honky Tonk Man" (a remake of the Johnny Horton song) and "Guitars, Cadillacs". The album hit #1, due in part to the video for "Honky Tonk Man" having the distinction of being the first country music video ever played on MTV. The follow-up LP, Hillbilly Deluxe, also hit the top, featuring four singles, including "Little Sister" and "Always Late With Your Kisses".

Yoakam's third LP, Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room, also produced four singles, including his first two No. 1's, the first, a duet with his musical idol, Buck Owens, on "Streets of Bakersfield" and the follow up single, "I Sang Dixie".

Yoakam's most previous album 2012's 3 Pears, was probably his most critically acclaimed album today, though sales were disappointing. Featuring collaborations with Kid Rock, Beck and Ashley Monroe, 3 Pears peaked at #18 on the Hot-200 Albums chart, Yoakam's best performance on that chart to date.

The first single off of Second Hand Heart is in our spotlight today. Dwight Yoakam and "Liar" is our Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you want to hear it again.

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