Walking The Line With The Johnny Cash Roadshow - Clive John Q&A

EXPERIENCE the essence of the Man in Black’s legendary live sound when The Johnny Cash Roadshow rolls into St David’s Hall this Saturday January 23 at 7.30pm.

Expect all the hits from Ring of Fire to I Walk the Line with stunning attention to detail. Plus, this is the only tribute show that is officially endorsed by the Cash family. This show not only encapsulates all his solo classics, but also features his beautiful duets with his wife June (perfectly portrayed by Jill Schoonjans) plus a sprinkling of hidden gems. Johnny Cash left behind big shoes to fill, but award winning frontman Clive John always relishes the challenge and replicates every nuance of his character in uncanny style.

Andy Howells recently put questions to Clive John about the show.

The Johnny Cash Roadshow really recreates the Johnny Cash experience on stage. Is it a pressure to constantly get it right for the audience?
I love what we do and we have done it a thousand times or more but I still get butterflies now and then. Sometimes I get so tired I can hardly think straight but the buzz of a show gives the medicine to deliver.

One thing I noticed when attending one of your shows was how the audience really gelled in by joining in at key moments – just like on Cash’s live recordings – does that help you and your band along while performing?
Of course. The show is all about a roller-coaster of emotions that needs energy and enthusiasm from the audience to make it a better experience for everyone.

How do you keep the Johnny Cash shows interesting for yourself and the audience? Do you vary
the shows at all?
Myself and the band love the material – all the songs are very strong and it is a nightmare sometimes when we have to shorten the set. I never know what songs to leave out! Johnny Cash has a vast library of material to choose from so it never gets boring. We do vary the show sometimes.

Are there any particular Johnny Cash numbers that have proved a challenge to learn?
Yes. A lot of them are story songs and don’t have a chorus that keeps on repeating. This means that if I miss one sentence it completely throws the song off its thread. Sometimes Johnny Cash himself would make this mistake so at least I can say it’s authentic when I mess something up!

• Andy Howells is a freelance entertainment writer. This feature was published in the South Wales Argus entertainment section The Guide on January 1, 2016.
• For more on Clive John and The Johnny Cash Roadshow visit the official website.