Today’s post was written by Paul.
Long before Dwight Yoakam’s hit song “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere,” he wrote and recorded “1,000 Miles,” which is one of my favorite Yoakam songs, even though it was never a hit. It appeared on his Hillbilly Deluxe album in 1985.
Back in late August or early September of this year, I asked my good friend, Josh Griggs, to see if he could learn to play Dwight’s “If There Was a Way” on piano, so that he could play it while I sang it for Dwight’s birthday on the BPA channel. Josh has been really busy and wasn’t able to get around to it. I love the studio recording of that song, but there’s also a really beautiful live video of it on YouTube. My nephew Ben loves that live version with piano but hates the studio version. They’re very different, but I love them both.
Anyway, maybe Josh and I can collaborate on that one for Dwight’s birthday next year. My next thought for this year was to cover “The Streets of Bakersfield,” which was Dwight’s very first number 1 hit (though he had many previous top 10 hits) and was Buck Owens’ final number 1 hit. I planned on singing it with Katie of the Pressley Girls, but that never came to fruition either. There’s a ton of interesting information regarding that song, but I’ll save it until Katie and I are able to sing it one day.
While I was uploading “1,000 Miles,” I came across a super fun version of “Streets of Bakersfield” by four young sisters from Alaska. You can see that video here.
I love the melody of “1,000 Miles,” and I love the imagery. I think it’s brilliant how Yoakam contrasted the falling tear with the ascending plane. He also aligned the very first climb from the root chord to the high chord (in my case, G major to C major) with the words “we start to climb.” That could have been a happy accident, but I think it’s more likely a tiny example of his genius.
Opening with the specific runway and the flight number makes the situation seem very real. Those things along with other key details made me picture everything about the plane ride, not just the very first time I heard the song, but every time I ever heard the song, and even when I sing the song myself.
I don’t like everything about Dwight’s style/stage presence, but I think he is arguably the last truly great country songwriter of the 20th Century. Unlike current top 40 “country music,” I think people will still be listening to Dwight Yoakam songs long after I’m gone, probably for as long as time on Earth lasts and people still have the ability to play/hear music.
I hope you enjoyed this cover of Dwight’s song, despite the distortion of the audio. The meter on the camera led me to believe that my playing and singing weren’t too loud, but the meter was apparently misleading. I used a computer program to remove some of the bass and volume, but for some reason, my video editing software wouldn’t allow me to use the edited audio file, so I had to use the raw audio from the camera, just as it was. Oh well, sometimes, things just aren’t meant to be. Thanks for watching!
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a copy of the cd I produced Live to Never Die. It has selected original songs written by Jerry “Pap” Marshall Wilson. Pap and I are both featured on the cd. Along with the original songs there are five classic hymns sung by Pap. To be entered in the giveaway leave a comment on this post. Giveaway ends November 13, 2025.
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
Paul, thanks for this post. I enjoyed your rendition of 1,000 miles, and was glad to catch Hickory Stand at the JCCFS fall festival this year and say hello afterward. The Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters played at the Clay County, Florida fair in the Spring and they were terrific.
I enjoy listening to your songs each week. Thank you for all you do!
Thanks Paul. We would thoroughly enjoy listening to the CD.
Dwight Y. was the first musician my then little boy ever mimicked. Rodney was barely out of diapers when he picked up his toy guitar and performed HONKY TONK MAN on the porch for whomever would take the time to watch, gathering fans, applause and quarters in his cowboy hat. We are Kentucky people and we are KY proud of Mr. Yocum. His style is distinctive!
Pretty song. I always enjoy your music videos.
What a beautiful and proper cover of the song. I pictured the whole emotional story. Thank-you.
I love Dwight Yokum and Buck Owens together in The Streets of Bakersfield. In the video on Dwight’s youtube channel you can see how thrilled Dwight is to sing and play with Buck. TY for your version of Dwight’s song here today.
Thank you Paul. loved the song and history.
Tipper and others— did you hear the Farmers Almanac is going out of business after over 200 years? 2026 will be the final edition.
Allie, someone shared that with me. Hard to believe!
Paul, I love to hear you play and sing. Unlike today’s music, back then it was raw talent and you either had it or not. Such good music to listen to. Thank you for sharing.
Mr. Paul, I really enjoyed your blog this morning. I was born and raised in Bakersfield. When I was growing up Buck Owens and Meryl Haggard were all my parents listened to. He had a local TV show that aired on Saturday. Later Hee Haw aired we loved it. it’s a small world.
As always, praying for Granny.
I enjoy your posts, Paul! Thank you for sharing with us.
Praying for your brother, Norman.
MEDO want the cd: Live to Never Die
This is a comment about yesterday’s post. Tipper was mad at her uncle Henry for teasing her and stood out in the cold waiting for the bus. I had left home for work and was staying with grandparents for awhile. Grandpa’s brother was visiting and two young cousins would be dropped off every morning as their mother left for work. They would watch cartoons until time for school. The uncle loved to get a ruckus out of the younger one and done so for several mornings. One morning he sat by the door waiting for them and when they walked in he stuck his face right in front of her and asked, “Do you wanna fight?” She said, “NO!” and hit him right in the nose. He left her alone after that.
Dwight Yoakam has and always will be one of my favorite artists!!!!! Paul, you did a superb job on his song!!!
I love music. Songs say things to the heart and soul that sometimes talking can’t do.
Great post!
Good job, Paul! Thanks for sharing.
Great job! Has always been one of my favorite Dwight Yoakam songs. I share some of Dwights southeast Kentucky roots and have always enjoyed his singing and songwriting.
Thanks for the memories, Paul!❤️
I would love to have one of Pap’s Hymns. Love Dwight’s music too.
Thanks so much, Paul. You bring an authentic vibe to your music. I only found Dwight’s music a few years ago and was hooked on his energy and singing.
Always love to hear your music.
I enjoyed Paul’s video of 1,000 Miles! It’s been a long time since I have heard that song. Thanks for sharing!
Paul–Thanks, as always, for your deep dive into another piece of musical history. Dwight Yoakam has long been one of my favorites thanks to his singing, songwriting, and even stage presence. The latter, I reckon, comes from a fat fellow’s pure envy of his trim physique and amazing moves.
I particularly love one of his less well known songs, “Readin’, Rightin’, Rt. 23.” Autobiographical in nature, it carries the listener from Midwest factories back to the hills of eastern Kentucky (in his case the home of his maternal grandparents near Pikeville). By geographical extension, the lyrics of the song could be extended on southeastwards to the Swain County of my raising (Route 23 runs through it). I had multiple members of my high school class move to those city factories in search of work and a better life, only to realize eventually that they had left a wonderful mixture of poverty and paradise. Additionally, if anyone ever had doubts about Yoakam’s genuineness, his pronunciation of one word in that song, “heard” (it comes out as “heerd” just as mountain folks of my knowing have always said it) dispels them.
I love your comment, particularly the part about “poverty and paradise'”
Oh my! First time I have heard 1,000 miles. Heard 1,00 miles from nowhere but not this one. Enjoyed it bu frankly, it brought back some painful memories.
Sunnyside Sisters are a real delight.
Thank you, Paul. I would so enjoy this CD. God Bless!
Love the history of songs.
Thanks Paul, good job.
Yes please! I would love to have some of Pap’s hymns!
Enjoyed your post today!
I don’t remember this song from Dwight, but I like it and you did an awesome job on it, I really appreciate you sharing your GOD given talent I always look forward to what you gift us with next, may GOD bless you and your family.
Oh, the Alaskan Sunshine Sisters! Thank you for sharing that, don’t they make you smile!
Often listen to Dwight’s satellite radio station.
Enjoy your take on this tune.
I can picture myself in that plane as it takes off and ascends. Great lyrics & tune. And great singing by you as always, Paul.
As usual, I really enjoyed your piano playing and singing. I have never been on a plane and I don’t plan to…it certainly would be misery to me. lol.
I like Dwight Yoakam’s music.
I always enjoy hearing you play and sing and singing with your mom makes me happy.
Have a blessed day.
Always love me some Dwight Yoakum! Also enjoy watching him as an actor. Thanks for the post .
That is the first time I have heard that song. I think the raw audio was just fine. I have always enjoyed Dwight Yoakam’s music. I never could figure out how he could get into those skin tight jeans!
Good job, Paul! I love Dwight’s music/ songs.
Have heard some of the songs on that CD in previous posts and would be thankful to own a copy. Pap had such a wonderful voice. I know Paul misses singing and making music with him.
I love Dwight Yokum, too.
good morning, God bless Granny Wilson, my brother got released from the hospital a few days ago, but had to turn around and go right back, temperature of 101, heart rate off the chart, blood clots have been mentioned for some reason, dehydration, and he just left the hospital, why let a man go home dehydrated? God help my brother, Bennie Chester, please pray for my brother, thank you and God bless you very much
Everyone likes different things, I was never a fan of either Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens or Roy Clark. I am surprised Dwight didn’t sing / squeal high tenor with those tight britches he wore! For me, one of the last of the good country singers was Alan Jackson but I don’t know if he wrote any of his songs.
I totally agree with you Randy. That might be called country but it’s not the country I come from.