Hall-of-famer

When Portales native Ronny Cox heard he was being inducted into the New Mexico Music Hall of Fame, he was genuinely surprised - mainly because he hadn't heard of it.

In fairness, the hall probably never heard of Ron's Rockouts, either.

Cox, who's had a variety of notable supporting roles in major Hollywood movies, will be inducted into the hall Nov. 2 at the Kimo Theatre in Albuquerque.

Cox is being inducted in the performer category, under which artists become eligible for induction 25 years after release of their first record. Criteria includes the influence and significance of the artist's contributions to the development and perpetuation of New Mexico music.

Born in Cloudcroft, Cox moved to Portales when he was 13.

"When I was growing up in Portales, Norman Petty saw a singing group I was with in high school," Cox said. "He saw us sing there and hired us to sing backup for a girl named Hope Griffith.

"I never achieved anything of note at Norman Petty Studios, but I did have a band in high school. Ron's Rockouts. Rick, my older brother, was the bass player. Mike, my younger brother, was our lead guitar player. We were sort of the band happening in Portales in the late '50s."

As an adult, Cox largely paid the bills through acting, but was inspired to get back into music after working on the Steven Bochco "Cop Rock" TV series. The show was a colossal flop, but Cox said everybody loved coming to work each day and the experience reminded him how much he missed music.

Cox answered a few questions on the nomination, acting and music.

What do you understand was the driving force in your nomination for induction?

I have no idea, other than the fact the dueling banjos in "Deliverance" is iconic. Even though I didn't play in the original recording, I was the guitarist and I matched what was played. Did I play it? Yes. Was I on the recording? No. Did that cost me about a million dollars? Yes.

In the early '90s, I realized how much music meant to me, so I cut back on acting and did music. This last year, I did the last five episodes of "Nashville," acted and sang in that. I was also in a TV movie with Willie Nelson, "Pure Country: Pure Heart." I've had a pretty good career. I'm not rich, but I get to do what I want.

What gives me the most pleasure is doing music. I do love acting, but I don't love it quite as much as the music. There must be that imaginary fourth wall with you and the audience (in acting). You can't step through the camera.

With my show (as a musician), the stories and connecting with the audience are equally as important to me as the music. It doesn't always happen, but there's a profound one-on-one sharing that can take place between me and the audience, and that's an opiate that is undeniable.

What's it like being a "that guy" from the movies?

Playing the bad guys are about 10 times as much fun as playing the good guys. The most fascinating characters are the bad guys.

I liken it to painting. The good guy gets three colors, red white and blue. The bad guy gets every color in the palette. Playing the bad guy, going down those dark alleys, are so fun to play.

What's your favorite role, regardless of what people tell you their favorite role is?

In a way, that's like picking a favorite child. "Deliverance" was my first notable role. "Beverly Hills Cop" was my first hit. "Robocop" has become a cult classic.

I've gotten to play so many delicious characters, it's really hard to pick. Each one has its own set of challenges. The fun for me is getting to play each one of those guys.

There are a lot of people who play a persona, and that's an idealized version of themselves. That's not me. I want to play as far away from me as possible.

Induction doesn't mean retirement, so what's ahead on the music landscape for you?

That's the great thing about being an actor and a musician. My plan is never to retire. I never feel more vital or alive or happy than when I'm in front of an audience.

There's every reason, age wise, why I should be retired. I'm doing a couple of plays, and I'm being offered movies. I turn down about 80 percent of the movies I'm offered, because I won't let any TV or movies interfere with any music gig I've got lined up.

I understand you've lined up a tour in conjunction with the induction.

I'm doing what's known as a Star of David tour. We're playing Silver City, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Pampa, Portales (Nov. 6 at Eastern New Mexico University), Amarillo, Durango.

In that order?

Yes. That was not the best routing in the world, but when you put a tour together on short notice you take what is available.