When Dwight Yoakam appears on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” later this week he will make TV history.
This Thursday will mark the country music superstar’s 24th appearance on NBC’s hit late-night talk show. Yoakam’s string of appearances breaks the record for most musical performances by any artist.
The 51-year-old singer will perform on show’s outdoor concert series, but besides releasing that information show producers are remaining tight-lipped about any other special events that will mark the milestone.
According to NBC execs, Yoakam is currently tied with Lyle Lovett for the show’s most musical performances with 23. Most of the Yoakam’s appearances have taken place while Leno has been at the helm of the late-night talk show. The country crooner also appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” six times, beginning in 1986.
In speaking to reporters about his record-breaking appearances Yoakam joked that he has “made a career of doing Jay’s show.”
Regardless of whether he was there to promote a record, a movie, or other project Yoakam says he also made sure he performed a song for the audience.
Asked to name some of his most memorable “Tonight Show” moments Yoakam listed the time when Leno had him help Ellen DeGeneres put lyrics she wrote to music, right on the spot. Yoakam says his appearance with his late friend and mentor Buck Owens in which they sang “Streets of Bakersfield” also ranks as one of his favorites.
Yoakam says he also recalls the first time he did the show, when Carson was host. Back then he appeared with a girl who blew the world’s largest bubblegum bubble. In the appearances that followed Yoakam has performed a variety of his hits from “Honky Tonk Man,” and “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere” to “Fast as You.” When he shows up on Thursday night Yoakam says he will sing a couple of selections from his latest album “Dwight Sings Buck” (which is a musical tribute to his friend), including the Owens classic “Act Naturally.”