Daniel Thompson is no stranger to Port Macquarie having performed his Johnny Cash Walk the Line show here last year, and The Greats of ‘70s Country Music in 2016.
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“The Glasshouse is a great venue, I like it there. It’s a nice place to play, and we always get a good crowd there,” Thompson says.
On this occasion he brings us Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, in honour of the 50th anniversary of that album’s release. “I think it’s one of the greatest live albums ever recorded. It took him from being a star to a superstar.”
Thompson says in 1968, it was pretty unusual to record an album live, especially at a maximum security prison. “It was a big risk for him [Cash].”
During his performance, Thompson will talk about why Cash chose to do the album at Folsom, and what the album meant for his career at the time.
Thompson’s credentials as a Cash tribute artist are solid. Since he began in 2009, more than 50,000 people have seen him on stage.
“When you actually sit down an add up how many people, it’s hugely rewarding. It’s nice to go back to a venue each year and get good attendance. It means people are liking what you do. You can look out into the crowd and see people you have seen before. Often those who have never been [before] say they weren’t sure about coming along, but they’re glad they did,” he says.
In addition to the complete Folsom Prison album, Thompson and his stage partner Stuie French will perform about 15 of Cash’s biggest hits.
“Always when we put a show together, we have to consider what we can do in the time. We pick the eyes out of what people want to hear and what we want to play. There are so many in the Johnny Cash catalogue, he recorded more than 1500 songs.”
The last of his albums really stand out for Thompson. “I guess the most significant are the Folsom Prison, and San Quentin lives albums. Everyone knows My Name is Sue – he gave it everything he had, and had a bit of fun with it.”
One thing is for sure, don’t ever let him hear you say Cash wasn’t much of a singer. “I will argue that ‘til I’m blue in the face. [His voice] it was very unusual I’ll give you that, but it’s something else. When you realise the physicality he put into it. It’s like playing a game of footy, my body, the next day, it hurts – because it’s such a physical way of singing.”
Thompson gives the audience the authentic Cash experience, wearing black and playing a Fender guitar similar to the one Cash played on his TV show. But, he did say he would have a new suit. “Last time I was in Port Macquarie I split my pants. I looked down and knew there was no hiding that. I promise the wardrobe will be totally in tact.”