Bruno Michel: Dale, your debut album "Cheatin' Heart Attack" was released in 1995 by Hightone Records. In looking back, what would you have to do different these days to enjoy the same level of success?
Dale Watson: Hindsight is 20/20. I don't think I'd do much different. Hightone Records was a good steppin' stone. I did three great albums with them. Later I learned later that I could have done things a little different business wise. But they were important to help me getting out there. The best lessons I ever learned I learned from my mistakes.
You've always objected to "commercial" country music. Which advice would you give a young artist who wants to start out today?
Stay true to yourself. It's not that I don't like the modern or commercial Country Music. I think there's great songs in that field. I guess there's room for both. I objected and still do that the radio stations have only room for commercial Country and don't allow many classic country artists to be played. I don't make "old" music, there are a lot of new songs. I just make them sound vintage. Keep the roots out there so people remember where that stuff came from. I tried to please record companies and it made me feel awful. They were happy about it but I certainly was not.
You have experienced some tragedies in your life only to re-emerge stronger than ever. What keeps Dale Watson fueled up after almost 20 years in the business?
Honestly it's the audience. When I was going through the worst of times they were always there and when I was doing not the best of shows, they understood why. I have to say that happens only in Country Music. These fans understand where the songs come from and why they are sometimes dark and sad.
Since your first "Truckin' Session" album in 1998, fans in Switzerland connect your name with Trucker Songs. Did you ever plan to get this image? Or is it just a wrong impression that fans have?
It's not a wrong impression. I have a commercial drivers license, my dad was a trucker and my brother drives our bus for me. Trucking was always a part of my life growing up and I'm honored to be a part of that. I still like Dave Dudley or Red Simpson, they were some of my biggest influences.
What would Dale Watson do professionally today, if he hadn't become an artist?
A truck driver (laughs). I went to truck drivin' school right before Cheatin' Heart Attack came out. Then success came and my first European tour kept me from getting out there in a truck.
In 50 years from now, if people check the encyclopedia, what would they read under the header "Dale Watson"
That I was a flame-keeper. I'm not doing anything different than what I learned from my musical heroes. I try to keep traditional Country Music alive.
You've appeared with many of country music's greatest. Is there still a dream partner, you'd like to share the stage with?
Yeah, you know, Loretta Lynn is still on the top of my list. I came close a couple of times but it never quite worked out. I hear she doesn't do so many duets these days but I keep hoping.
What was the best piece of advice you ever received and by whom? And on the other end, is there something you would do different in your life if you could change it?
Well, I think the best piece came from Willie Nelson who told me: "Whatever you do out there, have fun with it". And that's what I'm telling my guys in the band. The number one rule is to have fun. I don't want them to consider this as a job. The main goal is to have fun playing music. Even if the crowd wouldn't like it or whatever, we still would have fun on stage. And usually that reflects on the audience.
And on the other end, is there something you would do different in your life if you could change it?
A ton of things. I made more mistakes than Carter has pills (Red.: Gründer einer Pillenfabrik). It's hard to chose one. Thinking about it, I'd probably be less hard-headed about the music I make. I always wanted to do the classic country thing. There was a lot of great songs that I shut out. Today I would be more open-minded about my selection.
What's Dale Watson's pet-peeve?
Yeah, I do. It's when my teenage daughter not cleaning her room (laughs).
If you were to interview Dale Watson, which question would you ask him that I did not ask?
I think you pretty much covered it. Maybe what would I wanna do in the future. I'd like to put more focus on acting. I'll always put out albums but acting has become a pretty important factor in my career. Movies or Commercials. I got a national Canadian commercial running right now. And I had a small part in a movie with Willie Nelson which will be out this Christmas.
Thank you for the interview.