Page 14 - Phonebox Magazine August 2016

The Buzz
What’s on in your area this August?
Talking about Johnny Cash
This month, we had a chat with Clive John who is the front man of the Johnny Cash Roadshow. Described as the UK’s No.1 Tribute, singer/songwriter Clive John joins The Spirit Band to re-create the fantastic sound of Cash. The Roadshow takes the audience from the 1950s through to 2002, and includes greatest hits such as Ring of Fire and Walk the Line, accompanied by a video backdrop with images and snapshots from Johnny Cash’s life. We spoke to Clive about how he came to be involved in this production, which is the only show to be endorsed by Johnny Cash’s family.
Firstly, how would Clive describe the performance? He explains, “I am a songwriter/ musician/singer who has bizarrely ended up in the ‘tribute’ world and never thought in a million years I would! So hence the reason why I have veered my show more towards a
‘celebration’ as I think this is more respectful and tasteful. I love the music of Johnny Cash and this clearly comes across in the show as it does with the rest of the eight-piece band on stage. The performance is a roller-coaster of emotions.”
Having been described by many critics as having an ‘uncanny resemblance’ to Cash, when did Clive rst realise that he looked like the singer? “I don’t think I look like Johnny Cash to be honest! But I capture the essence of him. Other reviewers have said I am ‘uncannily’ like him, and others have said I look nothing like him! I’m just happy to be doing it at all!”
So where is Clive’s favourite place to perform,
and which of Cash’s many songs does he like? He says, “Intimate venues usually have a better atmosphere at a personal level but larger venues can be more exciting just by the sheer magnitude of an arena, for example. My personal favourite song is Sunday Morning Coming Down, written by Kris Kristofferson. Crowd favourites are usually San Quentin, Ring of Fire and Hurt.” Clive has been touring a lot in Norway recently too. What did he think of Norway, and where are fans mainly based? “There was amazing scenery in Norway... I mean AMAZING! But a pint of Guinness was £12! I’m always impressed at how they can speak so uently in English. Audiences were awesome.
“In my experience, fans are all over the world – or at least everywhere we’ve been! At the moment, we are doing really well in Belgium as every single show sells out there.” Finally, what does the future hold for the Johnny Cash Roadshow? Clive explains, “We are lming a new DVD at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow on Friday 7th October, so I’m looking forward to that! Hopefully there will also be a live album from it, which will contain some tracks that we don’t have studio versions of. We hope to do some shows in America at some point but even if the offer came along, I’m not sure we could t it in!”
The Johnny Cash Roadshow is coming to The Stables in September, or Milton Keynes Theatre in early 2017. You can book tickets now for the show at The Stables by visiting stables.org.
Sir Tom Jones Visits Bedford
Born into a coal-mining family in Pontypridd, the talented singer left school at the age of 15, and soon found himself with a wife and child. To support his young family, Jones found employment in various factories and the construction trade. Nevertheless, he worked hard and soon found success in the rock ‘n’ roll scene, becoming the frontman of Tommy Scott and the Senators in 1963. Since then, he has had a very successful solo career spanning several decades, and has been a Coach on BBC show, The Voice.
Having recently had his 76th birthday, the singer is continuing to perform at various concerts all over the country. Just last year he released his new album, Long Lost Suitcase. Jones will be coming to Bedford this month to perform at Bedford Park on Sunday 7th August. Gates open at 5pm, with the concert starting at around 7.30pm. The Shires, who Phonebox Magazine has previously interviewed, will be the support act. You can book tickets by visiting bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk.
14 Phonebox Magazine | August 2016