Though country legend Johnny Cash passed away in 2003, it’s almost as if he’s still wooing audiences. Five decades past his heyday, Cash’s music has become a staple of any modern-day hipster’s music collection, with most Americana-based performers including at least one of his tracks in their set list.
While the seaside community of San Diego might seem a less-than-likely place for the man-in-black’s country sounds to take hold, Cash was always a big draw locally and continues to have a fervent fan base.
One clear indicator of his continued popularity is the annual “Cash Only “” A Tribute to the Music & Legend of Johnny Cash” mini-festival.
Now in its fourth year, the event will take place on Feb. 26 at Winston’s, with ten of San Diego’s best-known, roots-based musicians, including Joey Harris, Eve Selis, Nisha Rose, The Palominos, The Tornado Magnets and event organizer Chuck Schiele, along with three of the area’s best Johnny Cash tribute groups: Cash’d Out, The Cash Kings and The Band in Black. Topping the bill is “Cactus” Jim Soldi, who was Cash’s lead guitarist.
The inspiration for the show came to Schiele while he was in Memphis recording at the legendary Sun Studios, where Cash and many others got their start.
“While singing my tracks they had me stand on an ‘x’ on the floor made out of electrical tape, claiming this was the spot where Elvis sang,” Schiele said.
Adjacent to the spot was a giant photo of Johnny Cash.
“After a while it started to speak to me, and by the time the session was over I had the idea for a Johnny Cash tribute,” said Schiele.
Though he is a huge Cash fan, Schiele has a hard time picking a favorite song.
“It changes from time to time. After all, he recorded something like 1,500 songs,” Schiele said. Though Cash’s early material is usually cited, Schiele points to one of Cash’s last recordings as special. “The one that really puts a lump in my throat is the way he covered ‘Hurt,’ originally by Nine Inch Nails,” he said. “The level of honesty in this song requires the bravest of men to express it.”
Palominos singer Mark Merrell agrees the emotion in Cash’s music is a key to its endurance in the public eye.
“The stories he tells, the emotions he pulls from us all are just as relevant today as when they were written. If they don’t touch your heart, then you don’t have one,” Merrell said.
Singer Eve Selis concurs.
“I think Johnny Cash has a voice and a message filled with passion. People want to listen to what he’s singing about because it comes from his soul and it’s real,” Selis said. “I think people are searching for the truth and are starved for it. Johnny Cash is a place they can find it every time.”
Selis discovered Cash’s music when she was learning to play guitar.
“Most of his songs have the same three chords in them, so I learned Folsom Prison Blues,” she said. “I was so happy I could play along and sing this song that when my band recorded it, I played badly on it and sang it live. We mixed it low,” Selis said.
Merell came to be a Johnny Cash fan in a more roundabout way.
“My father hated country music but brought home the album Live at San Quentin, because the single ‘A Boy Named Sue’ had become such a crossover hit,” Merell said. “I soon fell in love with all the rest of the music.”
Schiele said organizing the event and juggling so many acts is a major undertaking, but he considers the end result well worth it.
“Four hundred or so people singing along with all of the great bands in unison is a truly amazing thing to witness,” Schiele said.
He considers the communal aspect of the show to be a highlight.
“There is a great sense of communion between the bands, the audience and the ghost of Johnny Cash,” Schiele said. “I’ve never been at a show where everyone’s sense of respect was so heightened. You can feel it. It’s thick.”
“Cash Only ” A Tribute to the Music & Legend of Johnny Cash” takes place at Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St., Ocean Beach, on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Tickets are $10. Showtime is 9 p.m. and is geared to those 21 and up. For more information, visit www.winstonsob.com.