The Dwight jacket is complete. It only took 22 years. Dwight’s lesson in tenacity paid off.
The Pye Acres Blog is about the pursuit of dreams. On Friday night, another one came true. Dwight Yoakam autographed my jacket.
My quest for Dwight’s autograph spans 22 years – ever since Grade 10 when I commissioned a high school buddy to produce a custom-made Dwight jacket. Painted on an old Levi’s jacket (later tailored to fit my adult life), this tribute piece was ready in time for the 1991 “If There Was A Way” tour when Dwight came to Toronto’s Massey Hall. A 1,000 miles of travelling to 12 more Dwight concerts later, my jacket was escorted onto the music icon’s tour bus and he graciously signed it.
The jacket wouldn’t be complete without the ink from the major musical talent that currently surrounds Dwight, including Mitch Marine, Brian Whelan, Jonathan J. Clark and Eugene Edwards. All of these guys are class acts, and I’m proud to have their autograph on the Dwight jacket as well.
What is it about an autograph? Perhaps the determination for an autograph is the icebreaker that dedicated fans need to simply say thank you. Fans buy albums, go to concerts, join fan clubs and order merchandise but do the artists know how much we admire their work? Do they know how their dedication to their craft and skilful attention to detail makes a difference in our daily lives? Will they ever know that a certain lyric or melody helped their fans sort through the highs and lows of life? Do the artists know how much they motivate thousands in a concert crowd to go home and give the 100 percent that we saw them deliver on stage?
Dwight’s music ignites my soul, and his tenacity inspires my life. He is a major role model, and my careful attention to his passion and perseverance has served as a catalyst for dreams beyond an autographed Dwight jacket.
Dwight fans are Dwight fans because we can always count on Dwight being Dwight.
After the concert, Eugene tweeted me: “you put out as much energy as we did tonight, brother.” that compliment is music to my ears.
Jonathon J. Clark — very humble guy who cares about the fans.
Cathy and I with Mitch Marine and Brian Whelan. Great guys. Amazing players.
P.S. For more on my tribute to Dwight and his 3 Pears album, see: https://pyeacres.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/3-pears-for-a-new-kitchen/
Pye Acres 
Good for you, Robert! There’s nothing more special than a major star and his band connecting with a devoted fan, such as yourself. I’m so glad you were able to get everybody to sign the jacket. So cool! By the way, I nominated Dwight for a CMA this year, but it seems only guys with earrings and ball caps make the final cut anymore. It is a sad day for country music.
Way to go! I am a huge fan of Dwight (to the point of boring my friends at times) and I really love his ability to blend musical styles and rework both other people’s songs and his own. Saw him on the 3 Pears tour also. Haven’t been as tenacious as you have, though–meeting the band even! Nice. Congratulations!
MsNowhere, thanks for your comments.
Very cool for Dwight to sign your jacket. I like what you said about liking Dwight because he stays true to his fans & himself.
One word that friends use to describe me, & I think its a great word to describe Dwight … Authentic.
Authentic is right, Darcy. Thanks for your comments.