Vince Mira is The New Johnny Cash

Young Singer Sounds Like the Man in Black

Close your eyes and listen to Vince Mira, and you'll undoubtedly picture Johnny Cash. Vince has risen to fame channeling the man in black, but the 15-year-old with the deep voice wants everyone to know he's more than just a one-trick pony.

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.

Recording At The Cash Cabin With Jon Carter

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. John Carter in front of me producing my songs, it was unbelievable. Just great.

I never thought this would happen; it's been a surprise. Everything has happened so fast, in a matter of two or three months. First I got a call from John Carter Cash, then started doing local news shows, then on to Good Morning America. The next week we heard about Ellen Degeneres and everything happened really quick.

Johnny Cash and Other Influences

I like older music. I don't like the new stuff, it's just not as good. You can never go back to the older stuff, so I just keep listening to it. Music nowadays, some of it's alright but I'm not a big fan. I hardly listen to it, and I never listen to the radio. I'd rather just put on some old CDs and listen to that all the time. On my iPod right now? Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and The Beatles.

I don't feel mature for my age. I feel like a teenager, you know? I'm a storyteller; it's what I do. I'm not a normal teenager; I don't play at the park or play video games. I stay home, write music, and perform. I'm not into that other stuff, it seems like a waste of time.

A year from now, I don't know where I want to be and I don't really care. Wherever I am, I'll be happy.