Wilson Dixon interview

Cripple Creek comes to New Zealand tonight, when country music star Wilson Dixon appears in his very own TV show.

Wilson Dixon

Cult country singer Wilson Dixon has his very own television special, Wilson Dixon: The New Zealand Tour, tonight on TV2. He talked to the Listener about his music, growing up in Cripple Creek and visiting New Zealand.

Do you get nervous before a performance? It depends on the type of performance. Sometimes at the doctor’s when I have to pee on cue I tense up. Country music wise I don’t really get nervous, although if the show for some reason required me to pee in a cup I would be worried.

Your band look like a cool bunch of guys – what do you do in your down time between gigs? My pedal steel player Snake Wizzletits has a habit of redecorating the motel rooms that he stays in. Between gigs we are often at the hardware store buying paint, wallpaper and light fittings to restore the room to its former state.

Where did you learn to sing and play guitar like that? My Dutch Grandma on my mother’s side, Old Ma Ruggescrugger, taught me how to play the fiddle, and the guitar was taught to me by my Uncle Lefty. Lefty only has one arm, so the lessons were slow at first. Actually, they were slow ‘til I found a two-armed teacher.

Tell me about your background growing up in Cripple Creek; it sounds like it might have been pretty tough. No tougher than in any other mining and cattle farming dominated rural region where a good night out merely involves not getting punched for looking at someone incorrectly.

It must have inspired your songwriting – which of your songs best sums up life in Cripple Creek? Probably my song Livin’ in Cripple Creek is the best example, and Cripple Creek Nights is also pretty informative. Stop Punching Me in the Face for No Reason is also up there.

Where else do you get inspiration from? Birds, winter, medical journals, recipes, family photo albums, dreams, rodeos, jail tattoos etc.

Who are your favourite country artists? The usuals: Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Queen Latifah.

How long have you been in New Zealand? Since Tuesday.

How do you like the country – are you planning on staying? I would stay, but I’ve promised my Uncle Lefty I’ll go back to Cripple Creek and help him with his gambling addiction. I do feel sorry for him – a one-armed bandit is the only machinery he can operate safely.

Have you seen any of our tourist attractions, like the big gumboot in Taihape, or Hobbiton? No, but I have wondered why all your tourist attractions are either for giants or little folks.

Have you heard any of our country artists, like Patsy Riggir or John Hore? Are those really their real names?

Have you formed any opinion of the New Zealand character – we’re a fairly laid-back lot, aren’t we? You’re all pretty laid back until something happens which causes you all to get really intense.

WILSON DIXON: THE NEW ZEALAND TOUR, TV2, Wednesday, 9.30pm.