This jail house is still rocking

MARKING the 50th anniversary of the iconic live album At Folsom Prison, one of Australia’s leading Johnny Cash tribute acts is coming to Hobart.

Award-winning country singer Daniel Thompson and Golden Guitar-winning country music legend Stuie French are bringing Johnny Cash: The Concert to Hobart next weekend.

At Folsom Prison was recorded live on stage at Folsom State Prison in California.

Thompson said the record, which was released in 1968, was a really significant album in the Johnny Cash catalogue.

“It really started a period in his career where he became an international household name, and that was really the album that kicked that part of his career into gear,” he said.

Thompson said recording a live album in a prison was seen as a risk on the time, but “Cash really knew what he was doing”.

“The record company were a bit nervous about it and didn’t really want to do it, but Cash more or less said ‘I want to do it, come along and record it and if you don’t like it don’t release it’,’’ he said. “Obviously they liked what they heard.”

Thompson said the album showed Cash at the top of his game and what he was like on stage.

“It’s a real snapshot of that period of his career, so there are a lot of reasons it was a really successful album,’’ he said.

Thompson and French are nearing the end of a six-month, 43-date national tour performing the album.

“It’s really interesting the people who come along to the shows and the real cross-section of Australia that connect with Johnny Cash,’’ Thompson said.

“They all have the same love for Johnny Cash’s music but for different reasons, which is always great and makes the show different every time.”

Daniel Thompson and Stuie French will perform Johnny Cash The Concert at the Wrest Point Entertainment Centre from 8pm next Saturday (September 1).

Tickets are $66.21. For bookings and information go to www.ticketmaster.com.au