Shawn Barker wasn鈥檛 born to play Johnny Cash 鈥� but you鈥檇 be forgiven for thinking otherwise.
The St. Louis native, who once sang gospel in church with his family and worked as a carpenter after serving in the U.S. Army, now sells out theatres around the world with The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash.
Barker is bringing his one-of-a-kind tribute show to 91大黄鸭, and fans of Cash and classic country in general can expect an energetic journey through the life and music of one of America鈥檚 greatest icons.
鈥淲ith his strikingly similar looks, baritone voice, and spot-on mannerisms, Barker has become known as the preeminent Johnny Cash tribute artist,鈥� a media release for the event states.
Since launching the show in 2004, Barker has performed over 1,000 times in 12 countries, from Europe and Australia to across Canada and the U.S.
The concert walks audiences through the various eras of Cash鈥檚 career, featuring favourites like Folsom Prison Blues, I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire, Hurt, and A Boy Named Sue. A full band backs Barker, who stays in character throughout the performance.
Barker鈥檚 musical journey mirrors Cash鈥檚 in more ways than one. Both men grew up in working-class families, sang in church, served their country, and developed their distinctive voices by modelling themselves after musical giants.
Barker鈥檚 path to becoming Johnny Cash wasn鈥檛 straightforward. In fact, his first gigs on the road were portraying Elvis Presley.
But in 2004, during an audition for the Broadway show Million Dollar Quartet, director Floyd Mutrux saw something else in Barker.
鈥淲e have 100 people who can play Elvis, but we only have one who can play Johnny Cash, and that鈥檚 Shawn,鈥� Mutrux said.
Barker took the part and has never looked back.
According to the late W.S. 鈥淔luke鈥� Holland, Cash鈥檚 longtime drummer, Barker鈥檚 performance is the real deal.
鈥淚t鈥檚 exactly like The Johnny Cash Show from the 1960s,鈥� Holland once said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing. When I saw it, it was like I was starting all over again.鈥�
The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash takes place at Revelry Food + Music Hub on Saturday, Aug. 16.
Tickets are available through .
