RUSTY EVANS AND THE “RING OF FIRE”:

 OUTSTANDING TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY CASH

Presented by the Headwaters Council for the
Performing Arts
January 30, 2009
By Barb Wilkinson

Once again kudos go to the Headwaters Council for the Performing Arts for the electrifying presentation at Northland Pines High School Auditorium on January 30, 2009.  Traveling from California with his band “Ring of Fire,” Rusty Evans brought down the house with an exceptional tribute to Johnny Cash.  With a voice like “rolling thunder” and an uncanny likeness of the “Man in Black,” Evans emulated the soul of the country music icon with precision.  Beginning with the legendary Walk the Line, he immediately set the stage for the evening’s ambiance.  With his amplified acoustic guitar, he skillfully replicated Cash’s signature sound and was skillfully augmented by his three-piece band. 

Performing so many of Cash’s original compositions such as Fulsom Prison Blues, I’m the Man in Black, Cry, Cry Cry, Sunday Morning Coming Down and Big River, Evans brought back delightful memories of the man who was champion of the underdog and godfather of all that is dark in country music and rock n’ roll.  Like his mentor, his soulful baritone voice sang the blues for the downtrodden with compassion and understanding.  Additionally, lending his own touch to Cash’s world famous songs, the vocalist sang close to thirty original and several of his own compositions.  Accompanied by the “Ring of Fire,” comprised of his son and lead guitarist Danny Uzilevsky who plays one mean instrument by setting a snappy pace with his accompaniment, guitarist Carrick Montague and drummer Chris Carpiniello help create Cash’s signature sound.  As a result, the audience spent the evening tapping its collective feet and feeling like heading for the dance floor. All brought back delightful memories of the man who could understand and reproduce the profound despair of those who were down and out.

By successfully capturing the essence of Cash’s humility that was always emanating while he was on stage, the spectators could actually feel that Johnny Cash was on stage.  This performance was indeed a living tribute to the “Man in Black.”