Dwight David Yoakam was born on October 23, 1956 in Pikeville, KY, to keypunch operator Ruth Ann Tibbs Yoakam and gas station owner David Yoakam. Soon after, his family moved from their Floyd County home to Columbus Ohio. Dwight remained fiercely proud of his Kentucky roots, and he sang of the trip North up U.S. Highway 23 that many Eastern Kentuckians -- like his own parents -- were forced to take in order to find factory jobs.

In honor of Dwight Yoakam's birthday, here are five facts you probably didn't know about the singer and actor:

• Dwight was briefly enrolled at the Ohio State University, but dropped out in order to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in entertainment.  He was later awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Ohio Valley University in Parkersburg, WV.
• He has released four albums that were comprised solely of cover songs, including one album of Buck Owens songs.
• Dwight's acting career includes roles in Slingblade, Panic Room, Wedding Crashers, and Bandidas.
• He owns a food brand known as Bakersfield Biscuits.
• Johnny Cash once said that Yoakam was his favorite country singer.

Happy Birthday, Dwight!