Walking the Line,

Australia's Number One Johnny Cash show,

Presents:

Starring Rohan Powell as Johnny Cash and Amber Joy Poulton as June Carter cash, BLACK is a live music theatre/cabaret show that tells of the life and career of Johnny Cash, highlighting the humour Cash used to deal with tragedy and darkness that motivated his addictions and rages, nearly driving him to suicide, and pays tribute to the positive influence his second wife, June Carter..

Far from the general perception that Johnny Cash was dogged by darkness throughout his life, the Man in Black carried with him and freely exercised an imaginative sense of humour – it just happen to be a bit on the dark side! From the rollicking fun of a countdown to his own hanging in Twenty-Five Minutes to Go or being in the grip of bloodlust with such tunes as Cocaine Blues and Delia, through to the gentle humor of a disastrous flood that was steadily destroying the family farm chronicled in Five Feet High and Rising, BLACK shows that Cash was able to laugh at fate and shake his fist at the devil.

BLACK showcases a collection of more than 30 Johnny Cash and June Carter songs, some which spring from the darkness of tragedy, addiction and the self-destruction that haunted him for most of his life, while others reverberate with hope and humour, much of which can be attributed to the influence of his second wife , June, the great love of his life.

BLACK is supported by a five-piece band that adheres as closely as practicable to the style in which the original songs were recorded. The show in performed in two parts, each running for approximately 45 minutes.

Songs include:

• Songs include:
• We’re doing alright for Country Trash
• Where did we go right
• Ring of Fire
• Boy Named Sue
• Cocaine Carolina
• Sunday Morning coming down
• Fast Boat to Sydney
• Love Oh Crazy Love
• Delia
• Big River.
• Cocaine blues.
• Mercy Seat.
• 25 minutes to go
• The Man In Black.
• Get Rhythm.
• Jukebox Blues.
• It Ain’t me babe
• If I were a carpenter.
• Ole Slewfoot
• Daddy Sang Bass
• I’ll Fly Away
• I walk the line.
• The Loving is the easy part
• I won’t back down
• Long Legged Guitar Pickin Man.
• Folsom Prison
• I Got a woman
• Ghost Riders

Walking the Line - Australia's No 1 Johnny Cash Showband    

A tribute to Johnny Cash the man and his music.

The music of Johnny Cash spanned almost 50 years, from the start of his career in 1955 with the legendary Sun Records, right up to his death in September 2003. Johnny Cash did not confine his style to country music. Songs from his early career show he had a great understanding for the Rock ‘n’ Roll genre in which he made his widest impact on a worldwide audience.  Nor did he limit his repertoire to his own material. Throughout his career he recorded many cover songs in his own inimitable style. The most well known of these is Ring Of Fire, written by June Carter. In his foray into cover songs, he favoured tunes not only his contemporaries such as Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Neil young but also chose an eclectic selection of newer song-writers from Nick Cave to Nirvana, U2 and the Nine-Inch Nails to express stronger emotions. 

Walking The Line, performed by Australia’s Number One Johnny Cash Show, travels over those 50 years of Johnny Cash classic songs and cover songs, and features some of the classic duets with June Carter-Cash. The musical repertoire is illuminated with anecdotes of Johnny Cash's life and adventures and is guaranteed to leave you with a greater understanding and appreciation of the man, Johnny Cash, and his music.

Walking the Line personnel is:

 Rohan Powell (far right) - Well-known for his work in Acoustic Juice, Rohan has performed in operatic productions, rock bands and recorded an album of country-crossover originals in Nashville. For some years Rohan has made a feature of Johnny Cash songs in his repertoire and relishes the opportunity to present the tunes and his favourite Johnny Cash anecdotes in a cabaret format. 

Amber Poulton (should be easy enough to find in the picture) - has performed as a singer for more than 10 years and enjoyed every moment, something that is evident in her passion for music.  Amber, along with her singing partner and sister, Leah, sang with corporate party band ‘Flirt’ for 7 years. Amber has lent her talents to the task of bringing to life the magical voice of June Carter. 

Anthony Thyer (seated):  Guitarist extra-ordinaire, possibly overqualified for the job but it’s all about the “sound”. Playing Johnny Cash material allows Anthony the opportunity to indulge in his love of American classic guitars and amplifiers that helped create the legendary guitar twang associated with Cash’s music. 

Denis “The Preacher” Surmon (far left), bass player. Like many bass players, he’s often felt before he’s heard. Denis has played many musical styles in a variety of groups from originals to cover bands. Dabbling in songwriting has seen Denis’ name on the back of a few albums, including Slim Dusty’s On the Wallaby and two Double Whammy!! releases.A love of roots and country music saw Denis gravitating to the Johnny Cash Show Band. 

Peter Matzick (back line, holding oversized chopsticks). Also a veteran band musician, specialising in drumming and percussion. Despite being an active performer, Peter spends his days teaching youngsters the joys of hitting things with sticks. Peter is not overly concerned about the fame of being in a leading show band; he insists he is just doing it for “cash”.

The band has just released a 15 track CD (left) - Walking The Line - which will be on sale at gigs. Walking the Line offers a cross section of some of Cash’s most famous songs but also presents two new original songs, written by Rohan Powell and the band and recorded in the same style.

Track List: Walk The Line; Get Rhythm; Man in Black; Sunday Morning Comin' Down; It Ain't  Me Babe; Orange Blossom Special; Folsom Prison Blues; Daddy Sang Bass; Long-legged Guitar Pickin' Man; The Loving is the Easy Part; The Eyes of the Drunk; A Boy named Sue; Jackson; Ring of Fire.

 The CD is available at Walking The Line shows or from Allington's Outpost, on Main North Road, Salisbury South. Try www.allingtons.com.au for online shopping or ordering. Ask for Walking The Line, Australia's Number One Johnny Cash Show.