Recently I performed my first almost hour long Johnny Cash tribute and it went pretty well; lots of work. It's just me with my electric Martin D-16 (T) amplified and Johnny's Top 13 #1 hits. I play both Johnny's and Luther's part (enough to make it sound as genuine as I can).
I just placed a notice on Facebook and got a few "likes".
Here's my Tribute Song to Johnny that Wes is speaking of in the post above:
I'm always finding more songs that Johnny sang. Here's one written by our hometown boy from Duluth (and Hibbing) Minnesota, Mr. Bob Dylan.
I did some hunting on the web so I could do this right when I play it in my "J Cash Lives" Tribute shows (it's just me and my guitar so I "play" both parts; Luther's and Johnny's).
I've included 2 videos that helped me; Johnny Cash playing using a slip of paper for a snare drum effect (which you can do; and if playing both bass and chords, just place paper around/under 3 of the smallest strings: g, b, and e). The next is what I think is the best "how to" video I've found on the web to learn the bass line part, by Center Stage Guitar Academy.
Marty's great intro to Johnny and Johnny playing with paper in the strings:
Here's the best instruction I've found to learn the bass line:
My suggestion is to watch both videos and learn this bass line real well.
Next I went through the work to get the lyrics with the "right" chords for each verse; something I've not seen ANYWHERE on the web. My suggestion here is to copy and paste them from my page here and put into a word type document so you can play this in the right (modulating) keys! (You're welcome).
A final note: to play along with Johnny, he "fingers" everything as if playing in E but he capos the first fret so he sings in F.
Enjoy!
I Walk the Line
written and recorded by Johnny Cash
Merle Haggard was one very talented guy but destiny could have been much different if not for Johnny Cash showing up and giving concerts at Quentin Prison. Here's how one article states it: READ MORE.
As tributes to the late Merle Haggard continue to roll in, one anecdote keeps coming up: That time Haggard was an inmate at San Quentin and saw Johnny Cash perform one of his famous prison concerts.
Haggard devotees often point to that as a turning point for the hard-living country music star. Haggard’s teenage years were a blur of petty crime, vagabond travel and juvenile detention; arrested for robbery in 1957, he was doing hard-time and yes, really did turn 21 in prison — but he had serious music skills, and seeing Cash on stage inspired him to get his life on track.
I was looking for a couple of options for doing my Johnny Cash Tribute shows, and to offer them to readers here at J Cash Lives. This first one is good, maybe a bit "too" much with the decorations, but I like it and it is "showy" so your audiences will like it.
Let me know in the comments which one(s) you like and would like to see a Johnny Cash Tribute artist wear; or if you have any other favorites or ideas.
Perhaps Johnny Cash’s most favorite Martin guitar (and he played many)
was a specially made D-35, his – and Martin’s – first guitar with a polished
black finish. Perfect for "the man in black," Cash played this guitar
on stage for nearly 20 years.
To check current pricing and availability, CLICK HERE. Check out the Blonde Version; also very nice:
To check current pricing and availability, CLICK HERE. For my Johnny Cash Tribute shows, I use a 1994 Martin D-16 T, which I like. I don't think Martin makes it anymore; it's an electric acoustic.
Let me know in the comments below any information you have about Johnny's other guitars.
Here's a great pic of Johnny Cash in his "elder" days. I was impressed by how he looked so much like the American Eagle and then created this art. If you enjoy this, go to my store and get this item for yourself or for someone who appreciates the Man in Black!
