For fans of Maine Cabin Masters, Matt “Dixie” Dix has always been more than just a skilled carpenter.
With his laid-back demeanor, infectious humor, and genuine love for the craft, he’s become the heartbeat of the show. Whether he’s wielding a chainsaw, cracking jokes mid-demolition, or bringing his trademark flannel-clad presence to every build, Dixie embodies the authentic Maine spirit that makes the series so beloved.
Born on April 13, 1973, in Augusta, Maine, Matthew Allan Dix grew up in the woods of Maine, surrounded by lakes, lumber, and small-town values that shape so many Mainers.
Carpentry wasn’t something he chose as a career path later in life. It was woven into his upbringing, part of the fabric of growing up in a place where working with your hands and knowing how to fix things weren’t optional skills but essential parts of daily existence.
The Origins of “Dixie”
The nickname that’s become inseparable from his identity has roots that go back decades.
Growing up in Maine, the people in the area added “ie” to the end of either last names or first names. According to Dix, Chase’s father, Eric Morrill, first started calling his uncle and his father Dixie back in the 60s.
The name stuck, passed down through generations, and became part of Matthew’s identity in a way that feels quintessentially Maine, where nicknames often carry more weight than legal names.
During an appearance on the “From the Woodshed” podcast, Dixie explained the tradition with characteristic humility, noting that his father told him Eric Morrill would call him either “Danny or Dixie.” The nickname became so ingrained that few people even know his given name is Matthew.
A Childhood Friend Turned Television Star
Long before television came knocking, Dixie was part of the tight-knit building community in Maine, working alongside his now long-time friends Chase Morrill and Jared “Jedi” Baker.
This wasn’t a crew assembled by casting directors. These were genuine friendships forged over years of hauling lumber through Maine’s backwoods, solving problems on remote job sites, and sharing the kind of experiences that only come from working side by side in challenging conditions.
When Maine Cabin Masters premiered on January 2, 2017, on what was then the DIY Network, Dixie brought that authenticity to the screen.
He hasn’t changed who he is for the cameras. He’s still the same guy who would rather be in the woods than anywhere else, who finds deep satisfaction in finish carpentry, and who keeps the crew’s spirits high even when projects go sideways.
Dixie’s Role on Maine Cabin Masters
As one of the master carpenters on the show, Dixie handles much of the hands-on construction work that transforms dilapidated camps into functional family retreats.
He’s grown to prefer finish carpentry over framing or demolition, appreciating the slower pace and detail-oriented nature of that work. He finds deep satisfaction in using his hands and working alongside trusted friends.
His expertise goes beyond technical skill. Dixie has an intuitive understanding of what makes a Maine camp special. He respects the history of these structures while helping modernize them for contemporary use.
When asked about his favorite projects, of all the projects he’s been a part of, restoring the family camp on Togus Pond holds a special place in his heart, especially because his mother and aunt now use it regularly to host gatherings and reconnect with family roots.
The Togus Pond project exemplifies what drives Dixie. It wasn’t about creating something flashy for television. It was about preserving a place where his family could continue making memories, where traditions could be passed down, where the simple pleasure of being “upta camp” could endure for another generation.
Why Fans Call Him the Heart of the Show
There’s something about Dixie that resonates with viewers on a deeper level than mere carpentry skills would explain. He represents a certain authenticity that’s increasingly rare on television.
Despite the growing popularity of Maine Cabin Masters, he emphasized that not much has changed for him personally. He’s still the same laid-back, hands-on carpenter, just now more recognizable at Hannaford or the hardware store, often met with warm greetings and the occasional free beer.
On the official Maine Cabin Masters website, Dixie’s profile reveals the simple pleasures that define him.
“I would be a Labrador Retriever because they are loyal, loving and always happy! If I had a boat it would be a 65-foot Viking and I would name it Chasing Tail. I enjoy being in the woods, hunting, fishing, and hiking around.”
His favorite place? Anywhere in Northern Maine, the Moosehead area.
Beyond the show, Dixie runs Dixie’s Tune Shack in Rangeley, Maine, a winter-season ski and snowboard repair shop that reflects his love for the outdoors and his commitment to his community.
He’s been part of the Kennebec Cabin Company since its early days, contributing not just his carpentry skills but his easygoing personality that helps keep morale high when projects get stressful.
A Devastating Loss
On February 1, 2025, the Maine Cabin Masters family experienced an unimaginable tragedy. Ginna Dix, Matt’s wife of nearly 24 years, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 48.
The Maine Cabin Masters official Instagram account announced the heartbreaking news on February 5, 2025.
“We are heartbroken to announce the unexpected passing of Ginna Dix on February 1, 2025,” the announcement read. “Beloved wife of Dixie, God Daughter to Ryan’s parents, and friend to so many. Ginna was a huge part of the Maine Cabin Masters family and will be missed tremendously.”
The statement concluded with a request for privacy: “We thank you all for your love and support, but ask that you give the Maine Cabin Masters team privacy at this time.”
Remembering Ginna Dix
Ginna, who hailed from Sidney, Maine, was a nursing student at St. Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2000.
That same year, she met Dixie, and the two tied the knot Sept. 22, 2001.
Their marriage spanned 23 years, during which they built a life centered on family, community, and the Maine they both loved. Ginna and Dixie shared three children, Michael, Lindsey and Kiley.
Ginna was far more than Dixie’s spouse. She was a dedicated healthcare professional who made a genuine difference in people’s lives.
For many years, she worked as a registered nurse at a hospital and then a cancer care center in Maine before pursuing her master’s in nursing degree at Indiana’s Purdue University, where she graduated in 2018.
Following graduation, she returned to Maine and became a nurse practitioner at the Harold Alfond Center and MaineHealth Franklin Memorial Hospital.
Her obituary painted a picture of someone who found joy in life’s simple pleasures.
“Ginna loved spending time at their home in Rangeley with her husband and their three dogs, Quimby, Dodge and Asher,” her obituary said. “Ginna found joy in spending time at the beach in the summer and snowmobiling through the woods in the winter.”
Perhaps most tellingly: “She was happiest when she was ‘up to camp’ surrounded by her family and friends, listening to music, and drinking a glass of Prosecco on Saturday mornings. She was often found sitting quietly on the couch with her dogs, a strong cup of coffee and reading a book.”
She died at Maine Medical Center in Portland, surrounded by family. No cause of death was provided in her obituary.
Support from the Maine Cabin Masters Family
The depth of Ginna’s connection to the Maine Cabin Masters extended beyond her marriage to Dixie.
Ginna Dix had been married to Matt “Dixie” Dix, one of the stars of the Magnolia Network series, since 2001, and the announcement noted she was the goddaughter to Ryan Eldridge’s parents, illustrating how intertwined these families truly are.
Ryan Eldridge, Dixie’s co-star and lifelong friend, shared a deeply personal tribute on Instagram that revealed just how far back their connection went.
“We were born on the same day two years apart, our parents were best friends, you married my best friend,” Eldridge wrote alongside a throwback photo of the trio.
His tribute continued with vivid memories that brought Ginna’s personality to life.
Eldridge recalled Ginna Dix being “one of the boys,” when she was a young, “riding around inside the house on bicycles on Iron Mine Hill,” who grew up to be a “powerful, no nonsense women.”
He shared specific moments that clearly still resonated decades later: “I will never forget that time I whacked you with a tennis racket, you calmly gave me a look that I’ll never forget as you weren’t phased and knew I was screwed as you calmly walked back to tell our parents,” he recalled.
He also remembered being present “the night you and Matty locked eyes and were dancing on the countertops.”
His message concluded with a heartfelt acknowledgment of loss: “You have been a big part of my life since day one and left this world way to soon, but you sure did make a mark in your short time,” he added. “I love you Gin!”
A Community Mourns
The outpouring of support from fans and the community has been overwhelming. Thousands of comments flooded the Maine Cabin Masters social media accounts, offering condolences, sharing their own stories of loss, and expressing gratitude for the joy the show has brought them over the years.
A gathering for family and friends was held on Sunday, February 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Augusta Elks Lodge in Augusta, Maine.
In lieu of flowers, donations were requested in Ginna’s name for the Kennebec Valley Animal Shelter, a fitting tribute given her love for animals.
Looking Forward While Honoring the Past
As of early 2025, Maine Cabin Masters continues production. The show has aired 11 seasons and over 160 episodes since its 2017 debut, moving from DIY Network to the Magnolia Network in 2022.
The crew recently completed work on the spinoff series Maine Cabin Masters: Building Italy, where they tackled the unique challenges of European architecture.
Dixie has been present for every step of that journey. He’s appeared in every season, every episode, bringing his skills, his humor, and his unwavering commitment to preserving Maine’s cabin heritage.
How he and the crew will navigate this profound loss while continuing to create television that celebrates family, tradition, and the places we call home remains to be seen.
What’s certain is that the Maine Cabin Masters community, both on screen and among the show’s dedicated viewership, will continue to support Dixie and his family through this difficult time.
The same values that make the show special (loyalty, friendship, community, and the importance of preserving what matters) are now the very things sustaining them through grief.
For Dixie, who once said he’d be a Labrador Retriever because they’re “loyal, loving and always happy,” the path forward will undoubtedly be challenging.
But if there’s anything Maine Cabin Masters has taught viewers over the years, it’s that the strongest structures aren’t just built from lumber and nails.
They’re built from the connections between people, the memories we create together, and the love that holds everything in place even when the storms come.
In a show about preserving the past while building for the future, Dixie now faces the most personal renovation of all: finding a way to honor Ginna’s memory while continuing the work they both believed in.
And knowing the strength of the community surrounding him, he won’t have to do it alone.
Matt “Dixie” Dix: Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Dixie’s wife on Maine Cabin Masters?
Ginna Dix, Matt Dixie Dix’s wife of nearly 24 years, passed away unexpectedly on February 1, 2025, at the age of 48. She died at Maine Medical Center in Portland, surrounded by family. The Maine Cabin Masters official Instagram account announced the heartbreaking news on February 5, 2025. No cause of death was provided in her obituary. Ginna and Dixie had been married since September 22, 2001, and shared three children: Michael, Lindsey, and Kiley.
How did Matt Dix get the nickname Dixie?
The nickname has roots that go back decades. In Maine, people in the area added ie to the end of either last names or first names. According to Dix, Chase Morrill’s father Eric Morrill first started calling his uncle and his father Dixie back in the 1960s. The name stuck, passed down through generations, and became part of Matthew’s identity. The nickname became so ingrained that few people even know his given name is Matthew Allan Dix.
Who was Ginna Dix?
Ginna Dix was a dedicated healthcare professional who worked as a registered nurse at a hospital and then a cancer care center in Maine. She graduated from St. Anselm College in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, then earned her master’s degree from Purdue University in 2018. Following graduation, she became a nurse practitioner at the Harold Alfond Center and MaineHealth Franklin Memorial Hospital. She was also the goddaughter to Ryan Eldridge’s parents, illustrating how intertwined the Maine Cabin Masters families are.
What does Dixie do besides Maine Cabin Masters?
Dixie runs Dixie’s Tune Shack in Rangeley, Maine, a winter-season ski and snowboard repair shop that reflects his love for the outdoors and commitment to his community. He’s been part of the Kennebec Cabin Company since its early days. Born on April 13, 1973, in Augusta, Maine, carpentry was woven into his upbringing as part of growing up in a place where working with your hands was essential. He prefers finish carpentry over framing or demolition, appreciating the slower pace and detail-oriented nature of that work.
What was Dixie’s favorite Maine Cabin Masters project?
Of all the projects he’s been a part of, restoring the family camp on Togus Pond holds a special place in his heart, especially because his mother and aunt now use it regularly to host gatherings and reconnect with family roots. The Togus Pond project wasn’t about creating something flashy for television—it was about preserving a place where his family could continue making memories and where traditions could be passed down for another generation.
How long has Maine Cabin Masters been on TV?
Maine Cabin Masters premiered on January 2, 2017, on what was then the DIY Network. As of early 2025, the show has aired 11 seasons and over 160 episodes. The show moved from DIY Network to the Magnolia Network in 2022. Dixie has been present for every step of that journey, appearing in every season and every episode. The crew recently completed work on the spinoff series Maine Cabin Masters: Building Italy.
What is Dixie’s connection to Ryan Eldridge?
Ryan Eldridge and Dixie are lifelong friends whose connection goes back to childhood. Ryan shared that We were born on the same day two years apart, our parents were best friends, you married my best friend in his tribute to Ginna. He recalled Ginna being one of the boys when she was young, riding around inside the house on bicycles on Iron Mine Hill. Ryan was present the night Ginna and Dixie locked eyes and were dancing on the countertops, witnessing the beginning of their relationship.
How can fans honor Ginna Dix’s memory?
In lieu of flowers, donations were requested in Ginna’s name for the Kennebec Valley Animal Shelter, a fitting tribute given her love for animals. Ginna loved spending time at their home in Rangeley with Dixie and their three dogs, Quimby, Dodge and Asher. She found joy in spending time at the beach in summer and snowmobiling through the woods in winter, and was happiest when she was up to camp surrounded by family and friends.
