I'm The New Johnny Cash

I knew I wanted to be a musician maybe three years ago when I picked up the guitar. There was something about it that I liked so much, the way it sounds...that’s why I learned to play. Not singing though. I was embarrassed and very shy back then; I didn’t even want to sing in front of my family.

My voice didn’t sound the same back then, and I never sang Johnny Cash. I’d sing The Beatles or Buddy Holly, but never Johnny Cash. I didn’t have the voice for it.

It’s great to be compared to Johnny Cash - the greatest musician, artist, performer of all time. It's a huge compliment. But one day I'd like to get away from the whole Johnny Cash thing. I’m writing my own songs and not singing as much Cash as when I started. At my shows I sing and perform my own songs, as well as other artists.

I’ve got a bunch of shows coming up this summer, so I’ve got to get ready and rehearse with the band and write some more songs. I want to try and mix it up. I don’t want to sing just a bunch of country songs. I’ve written a lot more folk songs, and if you listen to the CD, it’s not really country, it has a bunch of different types of music. I don’t want to get pigeonholed.

Best Moment In A Whirlwind Career

Going to Hendersonville and recording at the Cash cabin has been the best moment. I’ve been singing Johnny Cash for a long time and all of a sudden I’m recording at the studio that he made, with his son John Carter. It was great.

It felt good, I couldn’t believe it. I was there looking at John Carter and it was weird.