Singing cowboy busking Levin after two front teeth knocked out

The Singing Cowboy has vowed to keep a Levin date despite having his two front teeth knocked out.

Jock Hume, aka The Singing Cowboy, will board a train bound for Levin tomorrow with his distinctive cowboy hat and trusted guitar.

Hume cancelled gigs in recent weeks after having his front teeth knocked out while swimming at a beach near Auckland early last week.

The 73-year-old said a flying rock thrown by a group of children hit him square in the mouth. Dazed and bloody, he was left bewildered by the experience.

"I did manage to retrieve one tooth but the other one is still at the bottom of the ocean," he said.

"I had time for a quick swim and I had asked some schoolchildren if they could refrain from throwing stones while I was in the water," he said.

"I think they were bored but I said I am only going to be in the water for two or three minutes and then they could carry on."

The Singing Cowboy.

"The little horrors ignored me. Next thing you know one hit me in the mouth."

Hume said the young boy responsible was made to apologise.

But all was not lost. He had been travelling and playing for more than 50 years and wouldn't let missing teeth stop him from pursuing his love.

"It looks a bit unsightly up close but I'll still be okay to do my busking," he said.

"I can still perform."

The experience only served to provide Hume with more purpose. He was now busking to help raise funds to have his teeth fixed.

He was left with what he estimated to be a $16,000 dentist bill to have implants.

Hume had been a regular performing on the streets of Auckland and New Zealand since 1970, and had forged a living from his talents.

The Singing Cowboy act was now part of New Zealand country music history and in 2005 he was recognised with an Unsung Hero certificate from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand.

Jock Hume, aka The Singing Cowboy, taken before his front teeth were knocked out.

Among his favourites were Jim Reeves' "I Love You Because" and Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire".

Hume was due to arrive in town today and would book in at a local motel. If the weather was nice he said "I might even go for a swim."

The Singing Cowboys would be playing outside Kings Music Centre on Oxford St in Levin on Saturday between 10am and 3pm, and at the Te Horo Country Market on Easter Sunday.