5 Quick Questions with Chicago Blues Legend, Freddie Dixon

 Freddie Dixon is the embodiment of the Blues. The second son of world-famous Seventh Son Willie Dixon, Freddie has been surrounded by the Blues since the day he was born. His father is a Blues legend as a songwriter, producer, and musician, at the helm of Chess Records for many of the sides cut in the 1950’s, 60s, and into the 70’s. Freddie began his career learning his chops playing with many musicians in Chicago’s numerous South-side Blues clubs.  He was soon hired to play in his father’s band, The Chicago Blues All-Stars, and traveled around the world spreading the Gospel of the Blues. Dixon – a member of the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame – continues to perform as Freddie Dixon and the Chicago Blues All-Stars.

The proverbial torch was handed to Freddie in the early 1990’s when Willie Dixon passed away. Since then, Freddie has continued as a Blues Ambassador, playing in front of crowds from Europe to Australia, as well as locally in Chicago. In 2020, Freddie — along with Chicago Blues legends John Watkins and Maurice John Vaughan — produced a well-received two-disc CD called 3By3 (available here). Freddie Dixon is a proud member of the Chicago Blues Hall Of Fame, 

Indie Pulse Music went 5 Quick Questions with Freddie recently.

IPM: What’s Freddie Dixon up to, musically?

FD: What I’m up to musically, besides always being on the lookout for new, upcoming Blues talent, is securing constant work. Since the Covid 0pandemic, things have considerably slowed down. People aren’t too anxious to fill a theatre because of on-going COVID concerns. Frankly, I don’t blame them; however, things are starting to pick-up. I am trying to take advantage of playing all the outdoor venues while it’s possible, and at the same time look for new gig opportunities.

IPM: The older statesmen of the blues such as yourself, many are getting terrific gigs and others, not as much. Is there a way to keep everyone working?

FD: The operable word here is ‘working’. It is not hard at all to keep a working Blues band together. A non-working band, well that’s quite a different story. Everybody would be kept working if the Blues received more airplay. Artists would be in demand because the more people who are exposed to the Blues, the more people enjoy it. This is one thing that has not changed over the years. To hear it is to love it.

IPM: Any plans to record new music anytime soon?

FD: Some musicians I’ve been working with lately are Maurice John Vaughn, John Watkins, and Shirley Johnson. We all worked together on my latest CD, 3×3. I’m looking to releasing new music sometimes late fall or early winter. Stay tuned.

IPM: What’s it like to be the son of Willie Dixon?

FD: The question I get asked most about my father, Willie Dixon, is how was it growing up in a household with him? My answer is basically like any other household. We all had chores to do and rules to follow. My father was on the road a lot, and when I got older, I joined him.

IPM: As you grow older (like a finely-aged wine), how has that influenced either your live performances, playing and/or songwriting?

FD: The sage advice I would give to younger, new musicians is to play every single gig with all you have in you. Let the audience feel the love, passion, and compassion you have for them, as Blues lovers, and from yourself as a kindred spirit. With Blues, the audience can feel as well as hear the music.

For more on Freddie Dixon visit mybusinessisblues.com or visit his Facebook