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CARL'S NEW ALBUM
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04/14/2013 06:48 PM
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April 12, 2013 Makes It Five Years
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We Love You Carl! My dear, sweet Carl. What a recovery. It’s been a bumpy five years since the night you got hit in the head with a flying car. You’ve been through so much. You’ve learned so much and together we’ve grown stronger. Look at you now! Doing the things you love and discovering new adventures. I’m so proud of you. A lesser man would have been counted out but not you. “There ain’t no quit and that boy”- so true. You are not only a survivor; you are a brave and noble warrior. Here’s to the rest of our lives together – living, loving and laughing. Love you, Betty
Wow. It's crazy to think that it has been five years since getting a phone call from the Ballan County Police Dept. Five years since sitting in the "quiet room" of the hospital with a box of tissues. It has been five years since my father woke up from a coma and demanded a beer.
But that's just what makes today a day of thought and reflection on where our lives have gone since being so violently shaken up. "How's your dad doing?" "How's Carl?" What's the old man up to these days?" You know, all things considered, he's doing pretty damn well. Very well, actually. Still traveling the world with his music, and recently he has begun sharing his knowledge of life through the form of inspirational speaking. What a settling thought it is to know that he has learned, and in turn will teach others of the importance and value of life. To live. For that is what he is doing. Living. This is quite a step forward from five years ago, when we thought he was gone. When we were told he would be a blind, brain dead triple amputee. Nope, I've still got my daddy. And he's turned into a far more powerful man than perhaps even he realizes. I would like to thank everyone visiting this site for their support, and for being a contributor to the healing kindness we have felt over the last five years. - Lauren
I love you Daddy. Carlin
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04/08/2013 09:51 AM
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HELLO 2013! SEEYA 2012!
Everybody give it up for the year that was. Two thousand and twelve… oowattabuzz. We got all we could handle on the list of chores Whatever you were doing, do it even more Obama’s back in and the hockey’s back out The world didn’t end; was there ever any doubt? Gizmos and gadgets redefining our brains Do we really need to climb aboard that train? If you’re pushing too hard and speeding down the tracks Maybe take a minute, calm down and relax, What a beautiful world, and what a crazy scene Let’s make it all good in twenty-thirteen!
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09/08/2012 12:08 PM
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Been away, haven’t seen you in a while, how’ve you been? More precisely, you perhaps haven’t heard from me in a while. This newsletter format, while enjoyable, is also a responsibility to sustain, and a task to which I’m not always equal. I consider it a privilege that you folks like to know what’s going on in my world, so it is a joy to share with you.
Photo by: Cher Renee Lewis
All the news that might fit:
Coney Hatch has done a few shows again this year with the original four guys (Me, Andy, Steve and Dave). A worldwide deal for a new album is now in place with Frontier Records of Italy! As we assemble material and build the tracks in the studio it all slowly begins to take shape. A pretty exciting sound, worthy of the vintage days of Coney is emerging! First quarter 2013 is now the goal for release date.
CONEY HATCH, MARCH 31,2012 w/ Andy Curran
I’ve produced a CD full album for a group called the Victoria Secrets, a student combo from Haliburton. It’s a great listen, with a variety of musical styles. For more on this see the youtube video of “Victoria Secrets Summer of ’93” and the posting on my website.
I’m working with Roger King at PNA agency to acquire voice-over jobs. People have commented on my speaking voice for years and Susan deCartier (Blue Rodeo manager) put me in touch with Roger. The hope is it will be another application of my voice and performance skills, and already I’ve had the pleasure of a radio-spot session helmed by the legendary Syd Kessler!
In the over FOUR Years now since my car crash (unbelievable how fast time flies) I’ve made huge gains in healing and recovery. I’ve also learned to accept the things that just aren’t going to get any better. As I like to say to my wife Betty, “Not bad for a guy who was broken to bits and stuck back together.” I’ve been helped along by the good will and active support and encouragement of so many people. Thank you.
I actually got out on the ice for some old-timers pickup hockey before last season was done and I’m looking forward to the start of the new season. I don’t skate so fast now but the wonder is that I’m out there at all.
Had lots of epic solo acoustic shows this year as well as a couple of dandy trio gigs with Mark Santer and Tim Harrington. Also a few gigs playing bass with old friends Hotel California.
Working on writing and demoing a bunch of country tracks with Dean Young for some kind of future album release. Still working out the details.
My book project is splitting into two now; I just can’t shut up I guess! It’s too much for one book, I’d have a doorstop-sized volume, so splitting the story in two areas of interest is now the way.
Thanks to Cher Renee Lewis for the action shot below from my Hard Rock Hotel Orlando 2012 show. Re-date for 2013 so keep an eye out! Take care and I’ll return with more news soon.
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07/05/2012 04:33 PM
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Introducing The Victoria Secrets
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June 18th was the album release for a project I’ve been working on with a terrific group of young people from my home town of Haliburton,Ontario It's an album of original music on which I was the producer and the "coach". This is a remarkable story.
The students, aged 16-19, are from the AETC facility in our town. That’s Adult Education Training Centre. These are kids who were marginalized, or didn't fit in to the regular school system. Some were bullied and harassed, some had disastrous home lives, and some had behavioural issues or poor choices which led to them being out of the mainstream in tough to finish an education. The music program was begun there by a caring teacher named Greg Shantz about four years ago in an attempt to hold their attention with something they'd enjoy. I began volunteering to help two years ago, and this CD titled the Victoria Secrets is the improbable result. The name came about because they are housed in the Victoria Street public school.
This is a nice underdog story. This collection of young people came to the school at different times over the past year, most of them with little or no experience of playing, singing or writing music. Many have never been on a team or felt connected to others in a good way; the experience they had of life was often of rejections, failings and unhappiness. They knew the blows and kicks that life can bring far more than the sweet stuff. But now, because of this project, they have pride in themselves and a positive identity to stand behind ie "I'm a musician", "I'm a singer" “This is our band", "These are my friends".
There are some amazing performances on this record, and I hope you will take a look at the youtube video they've created for "Summer of '93". This could sweep the nation, as they used to say in the old days.
If you like the single, the album will be available July 9th through my website by clicking on the store – Diamond Ditty.
Cheers,
Carl
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03/24/2012 06:12 PM
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CONEY HATCH NEWS FLASH
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Commencing in two weeks, Carl, Andy, Steve and Dave are convening in a studio in Toronto to record a new album set for summer release to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of our first album. The band’s UK debut at Firefest last October went so well that we were immediately offered a European record deal. We’ll be recording our first new music in many years.
In support of the new album, we are planning more concerts in 2012. The first one is just around the corner at the Edelweiss in Kitchener/Waterloo on Saturday, March 31st. We'll be test-driving some new material as well as swinging through the Monkey Bars and dealing from the Devil's Deck!
Look forward to seeing you at the Edelweiss and to keeping you posted on our progress. We’re working to get a single out as soon as possible so you can look forward to having a listen here and at coneyhatch.com
The video clip currently on Carl Dixon TV is from our 2011 appearance at Firefest in Nottingham, England. Featured are, We Got The Night and Girl From Last Night’s Dream. This video was shot by Stephen Bate a great guy, fan and friend.
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02/11/2012 01:09 PM
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DIXON ROCKS HARD ROCK HOTEL - ORLANDO
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Carl's back to the Hard Rock Hotel Universal Orlando on February 14th for an exclusive solo acoustic show. Last year was a hit with his Florida fans and new fans filled the room beyond capacity. Happy Valentine's Day. Look forward to seeing everyone in Orlando!
 | Hard Rock Hotel Universal Orlando 2011
Photo by: Renee Lewis |
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11/14/2011 09:35 PM
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CARL AT CHRISTMAS
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 SNOW by Carl Dixon is a celebration of winter and the holiday season.It’s a compilation of some of Dixon’s favourites including a passionate and moving rendition of a little known gem called “Snow”, (originally by Carolyn Mas)which became the title track for this album. Each song features Carl’s unmistakable voice, a respect for tradition, and an element of playfulness: the spirit that emerges in all of us during the holidays. One surprise is a little ditty called Snowflakes are Dancing; a co-write between Carl and his late father, Ronald Francis Dixon. Adapted from a poem that the senior Dixon wrote years ago, Carl has arranged it and now presents it to the world in a composition of fun and merriment. Other tracks include enduring masterworks like What Child Is This, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and Oh Holy Night as well as some lesser known traditional carols like Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella and Here We Come A-Wassailing. There’s even a jazzy rendition of the timeless classic from Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Christmas Time Is Here, and a version of Let It Snow hot enough to melt the snow. Aided by some of his trusted musical “go to” mates, Carl has created a wintery musical adventure. The whole album is a lovely and moving listen that wraps up with a reading by Dixon himself from the poem King John. SNOW will become a holiday favourite for years to come.“Snow combines the familiar and the unexpected in a musical setting. I’m glad I captured these sounds and these songs.” - Carl Dixon
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11/01/2011 03:41 PM
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CONEY HATCH @ FIREFEST
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Touched down last night from Heathrow, returning from “Blighty”, the scene of many memorable moments in the last eight days. Coney Hatch played Firefest in Nottingham on Sunday, Oct.23 and it was one of the best things we’ve ever done. There was excitement in the streets around the festival and in the room itself as the hour of our performance drew closer. Three days’ worth of AOR Rock bands drew people from 28 nations to this annual Festival, an example of the great loyalty of the fans of this music. Coney Hatch and our fans waited many years for this, and the crowd at Rock City went mad for us in the course of our first-ever English performance, an event nobody thought would ever happen. We responded with the best we had in us and these four old friends felt like a band again. 
There are many people to thank for the great experience: Kieran Dargan and Bruce Mee for running such a well-organised tight ship; the production crew at every step of the way, including getting us on the stage; Phil Ashcroft for connecting us to Firefest. Most of all thanks to the fans who made us feel on top of the world again, maybe in a whole new way. You people rock our world!
photos courtesy of Steve Church at Crash!Bang!Click!
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07/25/2011 06:30 PM
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SIZZLING STUDIO PLATTER OF THE WEEK: Carl Dixon – Lucky Dog (DD) :: “Lucky” ain’t the word to describe a guy who got seriously smearcased in a horrific head-on collision only to improbably survive and then ambitiously thrive, but it’s one heckuva good start. Now some of you may remember Carl from his Coney Hatch days but it’s no hangin’ matter if you don’t ’cause this inspiring new album cleans Coney’s clock six ways to Sunday.
You can take it from me when I tell ya that Lucky Dog is a classic rock fan’s delight because it sounds just like it was recorded back in the halcyonic ’70s. Even better, it ranks right up there in the heartfelt department with such like-minded laid-back long-players as Luther Grosvenor’s Under Open Skies and Neil Young’s Harvest. Bonus bravery points for having the intestinal fortitude and spiritual wherewithal to write a soul survivor song titled “Stitches, Sutures & Staples.”
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After a long journey of healing and recovery from an horrific car crash in Australia in April 2008, Carl has written and produced the most mature, complete and uplifting musical statement of his career to date.The distinctive voice is still in place as well as the perceptive, clear-eyed songwriting which has characterized his musical output over the last 28 years. What’s unexpected on this release is the range of musical styles Carl brings to the song arrangements. From Rock elements to Country to Blues, Folk and Jazz there is a musical journey on Lucky Dog which is not often seen from one artist on the same album. “I let the songs tell me where they should go and what kind of treatment they should get” declares Carl. “I’m only here to serve the song.”
Long –time stalwarts Mark Santer and Tim Harrington on drums and bass are supplemented by guests
like Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve on bass, Métis fiddler Clint Dutiaume and a young female singing duo
called The Lonely Petunias on backing vocals.
The real story here though is the range of instrumentation which Carl himself plays on the recordings:
lead guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, laptop dobro, banjo, blues harp, slide guitar, drums & percussion,
bass guitar, keyboards and of course lead and background vocals.
And for longtime fans, the music is remarkably diverse, and a few steps away from the hardrockin' days of Coney Hatch, April Wine and The Guess Who. Topically, they are heartfelt, philosophical, introspective and dripping with intense emotion. Musically, they range from pop, to singer/songwriter stylings, to even more exotic arrangements and tempos, with Dixon performing most of the instrumentation – Barrie Examiner
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