It was a real pleasure and a treat to have a talent like Carl Dixon spend some time with us in The Borderland on September 5th. His voice, his guitar playing and his inspiring story of survival are unmatched.
Before I get to the concert itself, in case you missed it live on the air, I want to share my in studio interview with Carl. A HUGE thanks to John Payne and everyone at Tour De Fort for setting this up for us. Carl and I touch on his musical beginnings and he even favours us with a live performance of the classic Guess Who song “Undun.”
https://soundcloud.com/931theborder/carl-dixon-interview
Now on to the show at The Townshend Theatre…
Carl spent much of his first set regaling us with tales from his own life and career while peppering in a few songs here and there.
He actually has been through the area and played in Fort Frances quite a few times. He played The Fort as a member of April Wine and even performed at the old Rainy Lake Hotel and “Warp 9” as it used to be known.
Carl also spoke about his wife screenwriter and director Helen Parker. Her music video work was on full display throughout the evening on a screen behind Carl as he played. She came into the studio during our interview as well to take pictures and even stream our chat on Facebook Live. She’s clearly a very warm woman and you can sense the love between she and Carl.
The evening took a turn to a more serious note as Carl recounted his harrowing story of how he survived a serious car accident in Australia just over a decade ago. He spent almost half a year down under as he began the long road to recovery before he was well enough to come home to continue the healing process here in Canada.
Carl was on top of the world professionally touring at the time of his accident. He was touring with The Guess Who as their lead singer. Carl had been a fan of them since his youth. He was living the dream…Then in one moment…it almost all got taken away from him.
Carl’s second set was filled with more great music. Not only did he play some of the songs that he continues to help keep alive from the bands that he’s been a part of like The Guess Who and April Wine, but he performed his own tracks from his time in Coney Hatch and also his brilliant solo material as well!
Carl also got the audience to sing along to some of the music as well, including classic hits from artists and bands like CCR, Paul McCartney and Wings, Elton John, The Temptations and many more!
What a talent…What a nigh!
