Johnny Cash Is Going Back on Tour … Sort Of
No, the real Johnny Cash has not been resurrected to save country music. If that was the case, then we would really have a story. Nor has his essence been reconstituted in a fictional form to slay vampires or anything fantastical such as that. And no, this isn’t one of those situations where they haul out one of those holographic images and try to pass it off as the real thing.
This is is something … well … different. There will be real live musicians in the flesh touring around the country playing Johnny Cash songs, and sometimes singing them. And Johnny Cash will be there, at least in recorded form. It’s all received the blessing of Johnny Cash’s son and primary estate caretaker John Carter Cash. It’s called “Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience,” and it’s very likely coming to a concert venue near you.
The production promises to bring the songs and stories from the ‘Man in Black’ to the stage in a way that audiences haven’t seen or heard before. As video from the legendary Johnny Cash Show recorded at the Ryman plays on a projection screen, real life musicians will play in sync with the original recordings, reenacting these landmark moments. Cash will also sing some of his most iconic hits like “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ring of Fire,” and “I Walk the Line.”
Johnny Cash will also tell stories about other legends of music and ordinary people he met along the way. Both male and female singers will also split vocal duties performing their own takes on Johnny Cash hits. No word on who exactly the singers or musicians that may be involved will be at the moment. “This brand new concert experience will bring my father and his music back to fans all around the world,” says John Carter Cash.
This could end up being a very cool experience, or perhaps a kind of cheesy one. With the very extensive calendar they have already assembled for the tour with more dates on the way, they seem to be very confident in their concept.
It feels somewhat similar to a concert concept Randy Travis attempted to launch in 2019 where members of Randy’s original band would perform Randy Travis classics sung by James Dupré, with Randy Travis appearing on stage as well. But only three of the twelve original dates moved forward, with “production concerns” being cited as the reason for the cancellations. Travis and the production have since played a select number of shows after Covid-19.
We’ll just have to see how well “Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience” is received. But with the continuing appeal for Johnny Cash’s music in the United States and around the world, there will definitely be some interested to see what it’s all about. See full tour dates below.
For more information and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.
June 30, 2023 @ 11:14 am
The families of Waylon and Conway are wondering: “How come whatever we try to do–reissues, tributes, concerts, product tie-ins, etc.– to commemmorate and revive interest in our guys, never goes anywhere?”
June 30, 2023 @ 6:00 pm
Lucky
My question exactly. Cash got hip with the Hellywood crowd, the rock crowd, and other non- country crowds. He is cool and hip and they wear the shirts to prove it.
Waylon would tell them where to stick it. Long live Waylon. Gotta love him.
June 30, 2023 @ 11:17 am
I’m trying to decide how I feel about this. It’s definitely positive that it has John Carter Cash’s blessing.
It feels a little like when they have orchestra’s play the score of a movie while the movie shows (not exactly the same, I know, but it has a similar feel to it).
I guess it just feels like an enhanced version of a tribute band. I guess I’ll wait to see what some of the reviews of early shows have to say about it before deciding if it is worth it.
June 30, 2023 @ 12:58 pm
A few years back I saw something similar (I know, not exactly the same…) with Prince’s music. They had a mini orchestra and a band and had Questlove from The Roots involved and the estates blessing. It ended up being a lot of fun because it was ultimately a party – how can you not have fun when a live band is playing 1999? People danced in the aisles and had a blast.
As much as I love Johnny Cash and his music, this will be no party. I can’t see this being something particularly enjoyable.
June 30, 2023 @ 1:32 pm
I’m honestly surprised that they didn’t approach this with holographic technology like they did with Elvis and Freddie Mercury. Still it is great knowing the Man in Black will never die.
June 30, 2023 @ 2:38 pm
Not sure how I feel about this. It seem close to being disrespectful.
June 30, 2023 @ 2:47 pm
This is lame. Talk about milking a corpse; shame on the family for allowing this. I guess the money’s running out for some of them. This is almost as bad as the Ronnie James Dio hologram/live band disaster from a few years ago. Want to hear Cash live? Put on At San Quentin or At Folsom Prison, or one of the other live Cash albums out there.
July 1, 2023 @ 8:11 am
This is almost as bad as the Ronnie James Dio hologram/live band disaster from a few years ago.
This is exactly what I thought.
June 30, 2023 @ 3:12 pm
I bet Rosanne hates this.
On a related note, I watched a documentary on YouTube about Vivian, Johnny Cash’s first wife. Rosanne and her sisters featured prominently and they talked about how hurtful it was to their mother the way that she was erased from the narrative to bolster the mythos of Johnny and June. When they had a memorial concert for Johnny Cash after his death, Rodney Crowell dedicated a song to her (she was in the audience)…it was edited out of the broadcast.
Then there’s the whole thing with the Walk the Line movie. I guess what I’m saying is that not everyone in the Cash-Carter clan seems to be on the same page regarding the treatment of Cash’s legacy.
July 1, 2023 @ 8:19 am
Was that My Darling Vivian or another one?
Also, yeah, Vivian’s erasure has always irked me as well, and not just because she’s from the city I’ve called home since 2010.
June 30, 2023 @ 3:27 pm
“They pulled him out of the cold, cold ground, and they put him in a suit of lights….” Elvis Costello, “Suit of Lights” (1986)
June 30, 2023 @ 3:27 pm
From what I’ve heard from a source close to them, the family doesn’t own the rights to any of Cash’s music and they don’t get any royalties from it. They have an official Cash tribute artist who’s recorded songs, and they try to get those licensed for commercial use. So this is another way to make some income while hopefully pleasing fans. Understandable!
June 30, 2023 @ 7:32 pm
Sounds like bullshit to me. Who told you this? The gardener’s best friend’s sister’s dentist’s dog groomer’s mother’s uncle?
“…this is another way to make some income…”
Neither John or June need money, being that they are both deceased, so anyone else in the family who does need money should go out and tour themselves.
Shameful.
July 2, 2023 @ 5:43 am
There might be some distortion since I heard it second hand, but Google says all the copyrights were sold to BMG (and that there were legal disputes over royalties among Johnny’s descendants). I can’t find info who owns the masters.
June 30, 2023 @ 4:14 pm
“Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience” is making its way to concert venues near you, showcasing the legendary talent of The Cash Man himself. This production promises a unique and captivating blend of real live musicians and original recordings, creating an immersive experience for fans. It’s a commendable effort to bring Cash’s iconic songs and stories to life in a new way.
Kudos to John Carter Cash for supporting this concept, as having the blessing of the late artist’s son and primary estate caretaker is crucial for such endeavors. By combining the power of projection screens displaying footage from Cash’s legendary Johnny Cash Show at the Ryman and talented musicians playing in sync with the original recordings, this concert experience aims to transport audiences into the heart of Cash’s musical legacy.
It’s worth mentioning that “Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience” also provides a platform for both male and female singers to showcase their own interpretations of Cash’s hits. This addition brings a fresh twist to the concert, offering diverse perspectives on the timeless music of The Cash Man.
However, it’s essential to address some of the article’s shortcomings. The opening paragraph seems to get tangled in a web of confusion, concocting far-fetched scenarios involving vampires and holographic images. Let’s focus on the actual concept at hand without resorting to such exaggerations. We don’t need to summon mythical creatures or rely on smoke and mirrors to appreciate the greatness of Johnny Cash. His music speaks for itself.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the unnecessary comparison with Randy Travis’ past concert concept. This article’s attempt to draw parallels between the two unrelated events is as perplexing as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. We’re here to celebrate The Cash Man, not to dwell on failed ventures. Let’s keep the focus on the forthcoming “Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience” and its potential to captivate audiences around the world.
In conclusion, while there are a few missteps in this article, the upcoming concert experience dedicated to The Cash Man holds great promise. The combination of real live musicians, original recordings, and captivating visuals has the potential to transport fans into the world of Johnny Cash’s music like never before. So get ready to embark on a musical journey that pays homage to one of the greatest icons in country music history. The Cash Man’s legacy lives on, and this concert experience aims to honor it with passion and authenticity.
June 30, 2023 @ 4:37 pm
If you were looking for reconstituted boilerplate press release copy, you took a wrong turn at The Boot/Taste of Country. Though I personally remain cautiously optimistic about this idea being worthy of an audience and worthy of Cash’s legacy, I think you can see from the other comments that there will be a fair amount of justified speculation about this concept. Citing comparative situations like what happened with Randy Travis is the reason for cautious optimism. I do trust John Carter Cash to not do his father’s legacy wrong, but ultimately we’ll have to see what bears out on the stage and in public sentiment before passing judgement. I did my part by informing the public, and offering it up for objective discussion instead of just parroting the press release.
June 30, 2023 @ 9:19 pm
I must admit, I understand your concerns and share your cautious optimism about this concept. It’s undeniable that there will be justified speculation surrounding such endeavors, especially when it comes to preserving the legacy of an iconic figure like Johnny Cash. Drawing parallels to past situations, such as what happened with Randy Travis, can indeed provide some grounds for hope. Trusting John Carter Cash to honor his father’s legacy is a reasonable stance, but as you rightly pointed out, we need to witness how things unfold on the stage and gauge public sentiment before casting our final judgment. In my own way, I have tried to inform the public and foster objective discussions rather than mindlessly echoing the press release. Although I must confess, this concept does leave me slightly “eery about” its potential outcomes. It’s a bit like indulging in Donna’s famous meat pie; you’re enticed by the aroma, but until you take a bite, you can’t be sure of the flavor. And just as I drank my weight in fiflthy waum liquor, I suppose we’ll have to wait and see how this musical endeavor resonates with Cash’s fans and the wider audience.
July 2, 2023 @ 8:56 am
Is this SCM’s first chatGPT comment on an article? All the hallmarks are there…
July 2, 2023 @ 9:10 am
There were some other comments the other day that also looked Chat GPT generated. It’s funny how we’re all supposed to be fooled by AI. But you really can spot the earmarks of it rather quickly, at least at this phase.
June 30, 2023 @ 7:35 pm
Is that you John Carter Cash? Lol. Spin it however you want to. If people want the Johnny Cash experience, they can listen to all the great music the man recorded. No need to tarnish the legacy with cheap gimmicks. This sounds like a money grab, nothing more.
July 1, 2023 @ 6:48 pm
I understand how the article might have led to confusion, but I assure you that I am not John Carter Cash. I am just an enthusiastic fan, like you, eagerly looking forward to the new Johnny Cash tour. I apologize for any misunderstanding caused, and I hope we can all come together to celebrate the incredible music and legacy of Johnny Cash. Let’s enjoy the tour as devoted fans and keep the Man in Black’s spirit alive.
June 30, 2023 @ 4:58 pm
I checked Randy Travis’s website.
They’re selling tickets for a handful of show in July and August in Tennessee and in Upstate New York and Vermont. The Rutland, Vt. listing mentions James Dupree. The others don’t.
I imagine that most people who would buy tickets for a Randy Travis show would be aware that Travis cannot sing or perform anymore, but I’m sure some will be surprised to find that out.
June 30, 2023 @ 6:39 pm
Was not aware they had restarted the Randy Travis tour. Will be interesting to hear how these shows go.
June 30, 2023 @ 5:37 pm
Like the world needs more Johnny Cash hipster fans.
Most overrated singer in country music history.
Let the man rest.
June 30, 2023 @ 6:35 pm
WRONG. Johnny Cash is easily in the top five of the greatest country and Americana performers EVER. Let me guess: You’re a Conway Twitty fan. Right?
July 1, 2023 @ 5:02 am
What country fan doesn’t like Conway?
July 1, 2023 @ 10:40 am
Only those with adequate levels of testosterone.
July 2, 2023 @ 8:27 pm
….”Most overrated singer in country music history.”…..
This is absolutely true. Nobody, not even Garth Brooks, achieved more fame with less talent, than Johnny Cash.
July 2, 2023 @ 9:19 pm
“All these long years later it’s still music to my ears/
I swear it sounds as good right now as anything I hear/
I’ve seen the Mona Lisa, I’ve heard Shakespeare read real fine/
Just like hearing Johnny Cash sing I walk the line”–Rodney C.
July 3, 2023 @ 9:10 am
And I enjoy his music. My playlists are dotted with his tunes, but if someone asked me to pick a singer to represent country music, his name isn’t in the top 10.
June 30, 2023 @ 6:51 pm
I love Johnny Cash, but will skip this event when it arrives in Orlando. The Orange Blossom Revue in Lake Wales is the same day.
July 1, 2023 @ 3:35 am
I am a country music fan as a result of Johnny Cash and was lucky enough to see him in concert on a few occasions. He is much missed but this, I am really not sure about.
July 1, 2023 @ 6:26 am
Not sure how I feel about this one- depends how its executed. I only got to see him July 4, 1986 and was on the young side so would be cool to see at least something. But he is joining the ranks of Amy Winehouse and Elvis still doing shows which is pretty lame. I dont feel like risking the $65 for a ticket until some review of early shows come out. Kind of a toss up till we know more.
July 1, 2023 @ 8:24 am
They had something like this for Roy Orbison a while back. Sorry that I didn’t see it, I think it was one of those hologram things. I can’t see other singers also performing Johnny’s songs on this thing. I always hated tribute shows are award shows where a bunch of popular recent music artist perform a legends songs right in front of the legend. Like an All Star Tribute To Whomever, or a Pioneer award. Yes the old artist might not hit the notes right, probably down the key, but, I’m old hat I guess. I do realise that these tribute shows probably only get green lighted because of the new stars involvment. Just saying.
I
July 1, 2023 @ 9:08 am
For those that never had the chance to see Cash “live” I suppose this has some appeal. I first saw Cash in the Fall of 1969 when he was a Super Nova as well as several other concerts in the 70’s and with the Highwaymen show in the 80’s so I have no interest in this.
Wish that John Carter Cash would put his efforts toward getting more of Cash’s ABC-TV show performances released on DVD. A 2-DVD set with selected performances and some of the guest stars was released back in 2007 and one of the Cash Legacy CD releases included a DVD with performances from that show not included in the DVD set. But there are many more songs that Cash performed on his show that he never recorded in the studio. Issuing those songs on CD would also be welcome.
I realize that releasing those entire shows on DVD presents a legal nightmare with musician royalties & clearances but extracting just Cash’s performances from the shows sure seems plausible. His “Ride This Train” segments were works of art and deserve to be seen once again. There were 58 episodes of the show so there’s a lot of music there. He also did a summer series on CBS that has not been shown since they first aired in the 70’s.
In the past GetTV aired poorly edited episodes of the original shows. Cash’s opening song was even eliminated in some episodes. Obviously the shows needed to be edited to add more commercial time but why cut the opening song? Sure wish that those shows could be aired again in their entirety. PBS might be a great partner for that.
July 1, 2023 @ 9:27 am
PBS? How about Circle TV? Oh wait, they are too busy airing Longmire and Clint Eastwood reruns.
But yes it would be great to see what you suggested, along with Glenn Campbell show and Marty Stuart’s show.
July 1, 2023 @ 10:02 am
I first saw Cash live in the Spring of ‘57. At the time I was young and didn’t really care for his “old-fashioned” music, I preferred some of the more “rocking” stuff from that era. I saw him again in ‘61, and once again I didn’t appreciate him, I was more concerned about the Chuck Berry concert I was going to see a few days later. Thankfully, my third (and final) time seeing “J.R.” I did appreciate him. I was 1970, and I was more of a “full-fledged” country fan, and I enjoyed the show. Now at 84, I still love his music and have enjoyed countless “listens” to his dozens of great tracks.
July 1, 2023 @ 10:01 am
I think it’s a cool concept and I applaud John Carter and anyone else involved in trying to keep The Man in Blacks legacy going. I was lucky enough to have seen him in concert three times. While newer fans or those who never got a chance to see him obviously can’t now, this may be the closest they ever get to seeing Johnny Cash in concert. I don’t see a date close enough to me to make me pull the trigger and order tickets, but it says more will be added. If it comes close enough I’d love to check it out.
July 1, 2023 @ 1:43 pm
This strikes me as about as authentic as staging a corpse in their “natural” state.
For those of you who might not be familiar, a new trend in funerals is to prop a corpse up, be it sitting, standing, skateboarding, etc.
To give the people at the memorial service a “real life” experience.
July 1, 2023 @ 6:12 pm
Prop me up beside the jukebox when I die…!
July 1, 2023 @ 1:56 pm
Yep, the one I watched was My Darling Vivian.
For anyone not familiar, there was a picture taken of her while they were married that made many assume she was black (she’s of Sicilian descent). Ridiculous the amounts of letters that had to be written vouching for her whiteness in order for Johnny Cash not to be banned from performing in the South (is it weird to capitalize here? I’m the first person in my bloodline to be born and raised in the South, maybe I’m weirdly proud of it).
Then there was the visual of her with her gun, fending off rattlesnakes and drunkard fans and potential racist maniacs out in the middle of nowhere…could make a good song.
July 1, 2023 @ 6:59 pm
I was actually aware of the “black confusion” involving Vivian and her having to defend herself against threats. I wrote a song about it back in the 1973. It’s titled “Vivian (A Force So Rare)”
(Verse 1)
In a small town down south, where stories unfold,
Lived a woman named Vivian, strong and bold.
People always thought she was black, you see,
But she had a spirit that defied what they believed.
(Chorus)
Vivian Cash, a force so rare,
With her gun in hand, she’d face the scare.
Fending off rattlesnakes and drunkard fans,
And potential racist maniacs, she took her stand.
(Verse 2)
Out in the middle of nowhere, in that old country home,
Vivian stood tall, she refused to be alone.
She’d sing her songs, with a voice pure and true,
Her soulful melodies, painting skies of blue.
(Chorus)
Vivian Cash, a force so rare,
With her gun in hand, she’d face the scare.
Fending off rattlesnakes and drunkard fans,
And potential racist maniacs, she took her stand.
(Bridge)
She strummed her guitar, her fingers danced on the strings,
A testament to the strength that her music brings.
Through hardships and trials, she found her way,
In a world that tried to label and betray.
(Verse 3)
Vivian Cash, an inspiration to us all,
She shattered expectations, stood proud and tall.
With a heart full of grace, and a spirit that’s free,
She embraced her truth, breaking through society’s decree.
(Chorus)
Vivian Cash, a force so rare,
With her gun in hand, she’d face the scare.
Fending off rattlesnakes and drunkard fans,
And potential racist maniacs, she took her stand.
(Outro)
So let the story be told, of a woman so strong,
Vivian Cash, she proved them all wrong.
In a world of misconceptions, she found her way,
A beacon of resilience, shining bright every day.
July 1, 2023 @ 3:36 pm
Has Rosanne weighed in on this yet?
If she gives it her blessing, I’ll consider going. Otherwise, it’s El Passo.
July 2, 2023 @ 4:40 am
The Johnny Cash show isn’t comparable to the Randy Travis show. For starters, Randy is alive and present. And it isn’t true that “the concept never went any farther from there.” After COVID, we saw Randy’s show last year at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. They did a limited number of shows last year and this year and have more scheduled. James Dupre sings Randy’s hits and is backed by Randy’s original band. Randy and Mary sit at the edge of the stage and participate in the show. It was most enjoyable, it’s well done, and I highly recommend it.
July 2, 2023 @ 7:55 am
Diane,
Just added your Marty Robbins book to my list of books to read.
July 3, 2023 @ 12:48 pm
I am not saying that that Johnny Cash show and Randy Travis show are the same. Obviously, they are not. But I don;t think it’s unreasonable to say they are somewhat comparable. They are both shows where the original singer is unable to perform, and the idea is to help keep their legacy alive in live performance.
I was unaware that the Randy Travis live shows had been restarted, but corrected the article when I was notified. I might do a separate article on that.
July 3, 2023 @ 1:04 pm
There is a big difference in not performing because you’re dead and not performing because you had a stroke. We can’t know what Johnny would think of these shows. We know what Randy thinks because he participates in them. He approved the show. We see his joy in watching his band perform and in singing a few lines with James. He is alive and active. He and James sign autographs after the show. Yes, an article would be great; it would clear up misconceptions.
July 3, 2023 @ 4:22 pm
DJD–
I liked your book on Faron.
I can understand Randy Travis’s predicament. Other artists–ones who were not nearly as successful as Travis was–earn steady and meaningful income for the rest of their post-stardom lives by touring and performing for their old fans. Travis probably counted on always being able to support himself, and then some, with that.
If there are fans that want to support Travis and watch him enjoy himself while someone else sings his songs, that’s great, as long as they know what they’re in for.
If anybody buys tickets and travels to see Travis, based on believing Internet and social media hype about his “miraculous recovery,” and expecting to see and hear him sing “Forever and Ever Amen,” I guess that’s on them.
August 3, 2023 @ 3:11 am
I live in Europe and cannot understand the critical comments here. Maybe it’s because there are still so many ways to see Johnny Cash in the US, whether it’s on TV shows, movies or events like this. In Germany I mostly have no access and on the 20th anniversary of his death I would love to go to one of these planned Concert Experience shows. Even after 20 years, I miss him and I want to see him, no matter what form.