A tribute to possibly two of the greatest country and western singers of all time is coming to Powell River to walk the line and make the audience fall to pieces.
David James has been performing high-energy tribute shows to Johnny Cash for the last five years with his band Big River.
“I’ve been a Cash fan since I was a kid,” said James, “but it wasn’t until I saw the movie Walk the Line that I really discovered I could sing like him. I just started singing along and my girlfriend was blown away.”
Audiences can expect everything from 1955, the start of Cash’s success, to his death and all points in between. James, who has learned a lot about Cash over the years, will help his listeners gain a greater appreciation for Cash’s life and times.
“I tell a lot of stories about Johnny’s life and tie them into the songs,” said James.
Though James takes on Cash’s persona for the show, it’s not a theatre production.
“I take on his persona, but I speak of him, not like I am him,” said James.
He plans to play all the fan favourites like “Ring of Fire” and “Folsom Blues” and many others from Cash’s catalogue of songs.
“We just bring it,” said James. “It’s good music and, like I’ve said more than once before, for anyone who’s not a Johnny Cash fan, by the time we’re through with them, they will be.”
Award winning multi-impersonator Bonnie Kilroe will perform her Patsy Cline show at the concert. Kilroe also performs a Divas show which includes 18 personalities from Cher to Lady Gaga.
“I’ve had a love affair with [Cline’s] music since I was 16 years old,” said Kilroe.
She has been singing Cline’s songs on stage for the past 13 years and brings alive all of her most famous, like “Crazy,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Walking after Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces” and many more. Audience participation is encouraged and Kilroe said she likes to bring people from the audience up on stage with her.
“I think people assume Patsy Cline was this angelic singer,” said Kilroe, “but she was really down to earth and loved doing rockabilly. There’ll be a lot of up tempo stuff, everyone’s favourites and some surprises in the show.”
Country Legends Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash plays the Evergreen Theatre at Powell River Recreation Complex on Sunday, February 17. Doors open at 7 pm and the show starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $35, available at the complex box office or by phone at 604.485.2891.
