Cash’d Out been talkin’ ‘bout Jackson
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
By Aaron Davis
Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Most of us never had the opportunity to see Johnny Cash perform live. In numbers like “A Boy Named Sue,” his rebelliousness coupled with a humble demeanor embraced a lyrical style that echoed sorrow, redemption and comedy. The classic freight train sound of his backing band, The Tennessee Three, fell mostly in the country realm, but his widespread appeal is attributed to a bag mixed with rockabilly, gospel, blues, and folk.
More than a dozen tribute bands are dedicated to The Man in Black’s music, yet only one is endorsed by and linked to the official JohnnyCash.com – Cash’d Out. Cash’s best friend, Bill Miller, even invited Cash’d Out to perform at the opening of the Johnny Cash Exhibit at the Fender Museum in California.
How does one choose Johnny Cash music over say, Elvis’?
“Musically, I like the way Johnny Cash tells a story and the simple complexity of his music,” said Cash’d Out frontman Douglas Benson. “It was tough finding a guitar player to play the Luther Perkins parts.”
Give Cash’d Out the benefit of a couple of doubts and you’re bound to enjoy some good ole boom-chicka-boom: 1. Nobody has Cash’s gravelly bass-baritone voice. 2. They don’t look exactly like J.C. and his band. And 3., there won’t be a mariachi-style horn section for “Ring of Fire.” What you can expect, though, is a concentrated setlist dedicated to his early Columbia era and Sun Records sound, combined with the energy of the classic multi-platinum live recordings from Folsom Prison and San Quentin. There’s even a June Carter—personified by San Diego singer-songwriter Vanja James.
“We’ve watched old videos like Live At Town Hall Party, The Johnny Cash Show and anything we can get our hands on to study,” Benson said. “Vanja scours YouTube for old June Carter comedy routines, dances and banters. She got her mom to make her a bunch of new dresses for the Midwest tour.”
If you’ve never seen The Johnny Cash Show that ran on ABC 1969 to 1971, Sony released a phenomenal Best of DVD in 2007. The 83-minute summary is an even-handed overview of popular music performances (Dylan, Krisofferson, Louis Armstrong) and Cash’s perspective on issues that mattered most to him: drug use, poverty, reliance on faith, compassion for criminals.
Benson added, “You’ll get your money’s worth in the first 15 minutes that you’re there, and the rest of the show is free!” JHW
What’s Good Here? Productions presents Cash’d Out at 10 p.m., Friday at Town Square Tavern. Admission is $10 at the door for patrons 21 and over.
Courtesy artwork Cash'd OutPERMALINK:
Cash’d Out been talkin’ ‘bout Jackson | Planet JH News Article: Music Box
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