May 7 is Dwight Yoakam Day in Vienna!

A proclamation was made by Mayor David Nohe earlier Sunday afternoon at the commencement ceremony for Ohio Valley College where Yoakam was the keynote speaker.

The country singer told WTAP, "This part of the country, this region. The Ohio Valley will always be home to me."

Dwight Yoakam was born in Kentucky, but grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He says it was great to get back to his roots.

"I'm proud to carry that as part of my heritage. That makes my experience here today all that more meaningful because it's a part of me that I'll never lose or try to lose."

The minister who baptized Yoakam as a child is a chancellor at Ohio Valley College and responsible for having him speak to this year's graduating class.

Graduate Gabriel Hickerson says, "He did a great job! I grew up listening to a lot of his songs and it's just great to see him care enough and give that speech and do as fantastic a job as what he did!"

Fellow graduate Matt Shrewsbury agrees, "I think it's real good for the college because they get someone with this big name coming to this small school!"

This was Yoakam's first commencement address and he seemed to get a good response from the crowd.

Each graduate was given individually autographed pictures as a gift from their guest speaker.

And as a gift to him, Vienna Mayor David Nohe proclaimed May 7, 2005 "Dwight Yoakam Day" for the entire city of Vienna. Nohe also gave the performer the key to the city.

Yoakam was given an honorary doctorate from OVC, but says he will not be using his new title "Dr. Dwight Yoakam" very often.

Dwight Yoakam signed and posed for pictures with the graduates and their families before heading back to the West Coast.