In the 1980s, Surrey-based musician Gary Kehoe had the idea to create a kind of tribute show to the Grand Ole Opry, the famous weekly concert show based out of Nashville, Tenn., that since 1925 showcased the top country acts of the day. For the tribute show, the talented Kehoe would perform his own impersonations of many of the country music stars of the time.聽
But, that all changed in 2003.
鈥淎fter Johnny Cash died in 2003, I thought it might be a good idea to instead do a Johnny Cash tribute show,鈥� said the baritone-voiced Kehoe. 鈥淎nd then in 2005 when the movie Walk The Line came out about Johnny Cash鈥檚 life, things got crazy. Suddenly there was so much demand for Johnny Cash tribute shows that I spent a lot of time travelling across the country, from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland, performing
as Cash.鈥�
He said people from all walks of life enjoy Johnny Cash鈥檚 music, because it crossed boundaries and didn鈥檛 just appeal to country fans, but everyone with an ear for a good song.
His tribute show also took him on tour across the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, and on Friday, Sept. 19, Kehoe and fellow 鈥淢an in Black鈥� impersonator Dirk Henke bring The Johnny and Cash Show to Squamish鈥檚 Royal Canadian Legion.
聽鈥淚t isn鈥檛 just a Johnny Cash show, though,鈥� said Kehoe. 鈥淵es, the majority of the show is Johnny Cash material, but I also do some other characters, like Hank Snow, Stompin鈥� Tom Connors and Bob Dylan. Dirk also does Neil Diamond and Buddy Holly.鈥�
Kehoe said audiences should expect more than just a simple tribute concert.
鈥淚t鈥檚 much more of a theatre show than other concert-style Johnny Cash tributes,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here will be lots of costume changes, videos, jokes and stories, as well, because, for me, performing has always been about keeping the audience entertained.鈥�
Let Kehoe, Henke and the spirit of Johnny Cash keep you entertained on Friday, Sept. 19 at the Royal Canadian Legion.
For more on the show, visit www.johnnycashequivalent.com.
