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INTERVIEW
  with CLIVE JOHN, star of
Johnny Cash Roadshow
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
3rd May 2018
8pm
The Johnny Cash Roadshow is heading to the Palace Theatre, Westcliff this Thursday and I got the chance to have a quick catch up with  respected singer/songwriter, Clive John, who captures with astounding accuracy the essence of what it's like to be at a real Johnny Cash show.  I can actually vouch for this myself having seen Clive perform as Cash in the show last year.  I begin our conversation by saying how much I enjoyed watching him perform as the country singing icon, whose massive catalogue of hits include I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues and Ring of Fire and he genuinely seems really chuffed to hear it.

It is the only Johnny Cash tribute show that has been fully endorsed by the Cash family.  Both Rosanne Cash (the eldest daughter of Johnny Cash and his first wife, Vivian Liberto Cash Distin) and her daughter Caitlin have seen the show. 

"I used to be a solo artist, just doing my own material, and then the Johnny Cash thing came about.   The show just kept on getting busier and bigger and more popular, so now that’s all I do.” 

That said, Clive has managed to find some time to record an album of his own material which came out at the beginning of this year, A Brand New Beginning and the first single, Big Things Are Happening Today, from the album has already reached no 2 in the Independent HotDisc Country Charts in England, Ireland and all over the world; which gives you an idea of just how popular and good Clive’s vocals are.
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Explaining why he chose to commit his career to the Johnny Cash Roadshow, Clive tells me, “I ran my solo career alongside it for a little while but then it just got too manic - I couldn’t do both.”  He goes on,  “I was about to have a mental breakdown so I had to choose but I wanted to record my own album with my own material because I just miss singing my own songs now and then.  So I just did it for my own soul.”  

“We play a song from the album which is a Johnny Cash’esque sounding song anyway and we play that in the show in the second set, so that’s my way around it really.”


I wonder if he ever feels bitter that the Roadshow has taken over from trying to establish his own solo career but Clive insists that he really does enjoy it.  In fact, things have gotten so busy that Clive has had to employ his wife, Sarah, to work for him too.

Clive is looking forward to coming to the Palace Theatre and his newest recruit, drummer Graham Cuttill, also has a good reason for looking forward to the Southend leg of the tour as he comes from Southend.  Originally the drummer for The Foundations, whose  hit, Build Me Up Buttercup  was a huge hit in the sixties, Cuttill has been with the Roadshow for just four months now.

“One of the Carter Sisters recommended Graham and after sifting through over 50 other applicants, I went with him.  Recommendations are always better.” Clive admits, adding, “Also, he didn’t sound desperate for the job, he was just like, “Yeah, I’ll come and do if for you if you want…whatever.” He was with The Foundations for 28 years and he only left them because the lead singer died.  Graham is a lovely guy.”
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So what can audiences expect from the show on Thursday? 

“Well, you always have to do the classics because you can’t not do Walk the Line or Ring of Fire or Folsom Prison Blues or A Boy Named Sue.  You have to do them.  We always do the hits and then we drop in a few different songs now and then.”

Also featuring Amanda Stone as ‘June Carter’ the ‘Roadshow Horns’ and the amazing ‘Carter Sisters’ all aspects of Cash’s life are covered throughout the evening and with the show taking the audience through from the 1950s right up to 2002, there’s no room for disappointment.

All the greatest hits are included, along with songs from the latest five decades of the man in black’s career and I suggest to Clive that the Roadshow now seems to be quite a dominant feature in his life.   

“That’s what my life is now really.  We just keep on touring!  So long as you’re happy that’s the most important thing.”

The show is selling really well, so don't delay in grabbing tickets for what has been quoted as "
more than just a show, it’s a heart warming story played out with genuine passion and a wonderful celebration of one of worlds greatest known artists."
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 Go to the Johnny Cash Roadshow website for more information on Clive John and the band and tour info - www.johnnycashroadshow.com
Tickets are available at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135
£23.50 £22.50 £18.50
Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.

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