In 2001, Wes Yoakam and Big Atomic released their first album, “Four Star Explosion”, to rave reviews and much critical acclaim. Track two “ A Postcard From the Edge of the World” and “Evaporate” were selected by Smithereen’s frontman and B.E.A.M. Chairman Pat DiNizio to earn a B.E.A.M. Grant for emerging artists. Three songs from the album were also featured in director Ben Taylor’s most recent feature film, “In the Flesh” that was accepted into film festivals in the U.S. and Germany. Even MTV has recognized the band: power rocker “When Sparks Fly” was featured in the “Making of the Video” program for Brittany Spears’ “Stronger”.

The most recent album release (Fall 05) “Wrestling the Dragon and the Rat” has sold almost 2,500 copies and is set for it’s second pressing. Wes has also been contributing bluegrass material for a Georgia film project, instrumental music for 3-D animation “Jambalaya”, and writing and recording a new solo Ep due out this Fall.

Wes Yoakam Bio

While in music school at UGA, Wes started the group Catfish Jenkins.They recorded an album with producer John Keane and were signed to Kudzu Records shortly thereafter. After a featured spot on the AWARE II compilation, Catfish Jenkins toured and played with some of the biggest acts in the country including the Verve Pipe, Hootie and the Blowfish, Matchbox 20, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Blues Traveler, and many more

Wes founded Big Atomic as his backing band in 2000. The group quickly gained momentum performing in front of thousands at Atlanta’s Music Midtown, 99X’s Big Day Out, and the Atlantis Music Festival.

In 2001, Wes Yoakam and Big Atomic released their first album, “Four Star Explosion”, to rave reviews and much critical acclaim. Track three “Breathe”, placed 5th out of 10,000 entries in NYC’s John Lennon Songwriting Contest, while other tracks“ A Postcard From the Edge of the World” and “Evaporate” were selected by Smithereen’s frontman and B.E.A.M. Chairman Pat DiNizio to earn a B.E.A.M. Grant for emerging artists. Three songs from the album were also featured in director Ben Taylor’s most recent feature film, “In the Flesh” that was accepted into film festivals in the U.S. and Germany and earned a national distribution deal. Even MTV has recognized the band: power rocker “When Sparks Fly” was featured in the “Making of the Video” program for Brittany Spears’ “Stronger”.

The most recent album release (Fall 05) “Wrestling the Dragon and the Rat” has sold almost 2,500 copies and is set for it’s second pressing. Wes has also been contributing bluegrass material for a Georgia film project, instrumental music for 3-D animation “Jambalaya”, and writing and recording a new solo Ep due out this Fall.