I was talking with a friend about musical credibility, particularly when someone who is getting on in years is embraced by a young crowd. What triggered it, was seeing a brilliant show with Billy Joe Shaver over the weekend, and noticing that the audience was more than just baby boomers, but instead the audience spanned the ages. It is good to see someone like Billy Joe, who is still out there writing and adventuring, be lauded for his authenticity and passion. I was living in Nashville in the 90s, and frequented some pizza joints around Vanderbilt University. I would eavesdrop on the conversations at the tables around me, and especially loved being a fly on the wall when they talked about music. The frequency with which Johnny Cash’s name was brought up brought me joy. The things those college kids were saying about him gave me hope for the future.
There are a slew of Johnny Cash albums being rereleased today, and as a bonus, there is a new tribute CD/DVD, too. On Friday, April 20, 2012 at The Moody Theater in Austin, TX, there was a gala concert and 80th-birthday tribute to Johnny, and on Tuesday, We Walk the Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash was released. It parades an all-star list of talent including Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Brandi Carlisle, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Shelby Lynne, Buddy Miller…the list goes on and on. Look for this concert on PBS, too, as the album has been released In conjunction with the US television broadcast. Here is a taste!
- Jessie Scott