Everything that can possibly be said about the legendary Johnny Cash has probably been written. But that has never stopped his mystique from percolating into popular culture with an explosion of tribute artists.
Trudy Taphorn, founder of the Blue Suede Music Festival, is the Canadian promoter for The Man in Black Show and she’ll be introducing Shawn Barker as the great man himself on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Arden Theatre.
Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Barker brings a retro look and feel to the American icon’s music. It’s a concert that promises to deliver Cash’s raw prowess while crossing musical genres.
“He’ll also be singing a lot of the songs he made famous with June Carter Cash,” said Taphorn, in the throes of organizing The Man in Black tour.
The show, originally conceived by Las Vegas producer Kurt Brown, will be slightly lusher than Cash’s original “boom-chicka-boom” humble style using just a guitar and an upright bass.
“We’ll be coming from Stage West in Calgary with a six-piece band and two singers. It’s evolved into adding a drum and steel guitar to advance the sound. People expect a bigger sound. Johnny Cash wasn’t into a big sound, but by the end of his life, his staging was more elaborate,” Taphorn said.
“This will be a full scale show in keeping with what is expected today.”
Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39.95. Call 780-459-1542.
Well, not quite. However, Billy Joel tribute artist Michael John and Elton John tribute artist Joey Riedel are dropping by the Morinville Community Cultural Centre on Friday, Oct. 24 for a night of high-energy rock and roll.
The two piano men will sing a slough of familiar Joel songs such as Only the Good Die Young and Angry Young Man as well as parts of Elton’s catalogue covering three decades.
Dinner and show tickets are $45. Show only tickets are $25. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. and show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at 780-420-1757 or online at tixonthesquare.ca or at the cultural centre box office.
The Calgary based Kirby Sewell Band has found a lot of charms at LB’s Pub in St. Albert. So much so, that it is hosting a two-day CD party for the release of Girl With a New Tattoo.
This five-piece, with a reputation for delivering sweat-pouring blues performances, have the power to present unflinching, bat-out-of-hell performances.
The six-foot-six Sewell commands the stage with his gravelly voice. Guitarists Neil Gunhold and Morgan Turk as well as Jim Johnston (drums) and Jae Cho (bass) accompany the robust singer.
There is a $15 cover charge. Music starts at 9 p.m. LB’s is located at 23 Akins Dr.
