Join Wynell as he explores the storied history of American blues and roots music. Growing up in southern Louisiana, Wynell Dixon became embedded in blues music at a very young age. His father Shelby was both a cockfighter and a well respected blues guitarist, widely known for his ability to play the slide with a soup spoon that he would dangle from his mouth. At the age of 6 Wynell would learn gui
tar from his father and by the age of 11 he was playing the blues for admiring audiences around his hometown of Duboisussoin, LA. Throughout his formative years Wynell crossed paths with some of history's greatest blues legends, including "Steel-Eye" Johnson, Slim Harry Pilkington, Mississippi John Hurt, Duke Jabo, Eliot "Crow" Parker, Skip James and many others. Wynell seemed destined for stardom when a sudden and tragic ironing mishap left him with severe hand injuries. The incident left Wynell incapable of playing guitar, and soon he fell into a state of deep depression, turning to alcohol and other such vices. Wynell would recover however and once again began to follow in his late father's footsteps. After purchasing several roosters from a close friend, Wynell began to train the birds in his back yard. In a matter of months Wynell and his birds were competing around the state, earning Wynell significant winnings along the way. Wynell would eventually become one of the most successful and revered cockfighters across the deep south. Cockfighting was Wynell's new passion, yet his love of the blues never waned. The blues still coursed through Wynell's veins and although he could no longer play the music he loved, he remained an avid listener and champion of blues music. In his later years Wynell began a career in radio, spinning discs for several shortwave stations. Today Wynell hosts a weekly radio show that airs on the Radio of Clark University (ROCU) in Worcester, MA. Wynell deftly incorporates into his program a vast knowledge of the blues along with his compelling personal experiences and stories. Wynell's program conveys his intimate relationship with the blues and in so doing provides his listeners with a wholly unique musical experience. Wynell puts it best when he says, "The blues ain't just music to me, the blues is who I is and how I feel. The blues is in my bloodstream, the blues is all in bones and in my soul." Wynell Dixon's Guide to Blues and Roots Music airs weekly at 4:00pm on Sundays on the ROCU: www.clarkuradio.com
