Rutherglen Town Hall hosts Johnny Cash Show

Sep 23 2009 by Andy McArthur, Rutherglen Reformer

IT WAS A full house at Rutherglen Town Hall for the Roger Dean Sings Johnny Cash Show.

Roger has visited the Town Hall previously with his show along with his backing group the Lazy Boys. He tells the story of Johnny Cash and sings his songs throughout the show.

Johnny Cash came from Scottish roots. The first American Cash was William Cashe of Strathmiglo in the Kingdom of Fife the Captain of a sailing ship. After sailing the Atlantic with cargo for several years he settled in America in 1667. The “e” was dropped later and the surname became Cash.

Johnny was raised on a farm in Kansas which his father was allocated and he helped to grow and harvest cotton. Poverty existed and the harvest was sometimes good but not always.

Taking an interest in country music lead Johnny towards a singing career. Gospel singing was his forte but the producer Sam Philips of Sun Studios in Memphis told him that gospel music would not sell. Johnny then sung Hey Porter which was recorded by Sam Philips and he was asked write another song.

Cry Cry Cry was that song and it put Johnny Cash on the road to stardom. His first marriage failed and he went on to marry June Carter and they became partners for life.

Being on the road for long periods took its toll and amphetamines were used to keep the star going. He became addicted and would go for weeks in a dazed state. His deep religious roots were a help in his hour of need, along with support from his family he kicked the habit.

He was a supporter of the underdog and sang the song Why I Wear Black to explain this sentiment.

One album he released, Bitter Tears, included only Native American Indian songs to highlight the plight of the Indian Nations.

Roger Dean captures Johnny Cash in so many ways. His voice and his style of playing. If you close your eyes you would believe that Johnny Cash was on stage. Roger himself says the he may sound like Johnny the resemblance is quite different.

Johnny Cash was six foot of American Beefcake while he is five foot of Scottish Short Cake. Roger, like Johnny, can trace his roots to Scotland - his mother was born in Coatbridge.

Roger’s group the Lazy Boy consists of Benjamin Howell on keyboard, Freddie Allan on drums and Warren James on guitar. Together they capture the sound of Johnny Cash. Among the audience at Rutherglen Town hall were a very broad mixture of fans.

One family group was mum, dad and three sons. The youngest had just started primary school this year and of course there were some older fans too., testimony to the lasting effect that Johnny Cash’s music has on people.

Roger tours Britain all year round and visits Scotland twice during that time. He will next be up in April in Paisley, Musselburgh and Airdrie.

If you missed him this time make sure you get to see him next year.

Roger closed the show by telling the last chapter of Johnny Cash’s life, how June Carter Cash did not survive a heart bypass operation and that Johnny worked very hard in the recording studio to occupy his time and control his grief.

He died on September 12 2003, a few months after June’s death. During his final recording sessions he recorded We’ll Meet Again and dedicated it to June. Roger reminded everyone that the same song is topping the charts this month.

There was only one song to close the show and that was Walk the Line. Calls for an encore brought I’m A Rambler and Orange Blossom Special.

Roger thanked all of the audience for coming to see his show and also his technical crew and the staff of Rutherglen Town Hall. He looks forward to returning with his show at a future date.