Tell Me About The Man in Black
Born and raised in Hanford, James Garner lived on a farm where they grew cotton, corn, and wheat. Most often youngsters raised on acreage where crops or animals are raised grow up learning to work, to support the agriculture effort, and often to be Dad's little helper whether a boy or a girl. Sadly, even a few farm-raised kids have a recalcitrant streak and get into trouble. However, most find their way into adulthood with character, strength, and class. James has all this, and more.
Eventually the economy of California agriculture began to dictate that small farms like the Garner's had to either get much bigger, or find another way to support a family. The senior Mr. Garner was mechanically skilled, as many farmers learn to be. He was also accomplished as a machinist and welder, with an interest in sprint cars and drag racing. He took a job in town while continuing to support his friends on the race track. The Garners rented out the acreage, but continued to live on their farm.
When James entered Hanford High School, he soon became involved with FFA (Future Farmers of America). Many other chapter members were farm kids he'd grown up with, so he fit right in. He was quickly enlisted to the Cotton Judging and Dairy Cattle Judging teams. The talent and character of James was soon recognized. His senior year at Hanford High, he was elected Chapter President. Toward the end of the year, he ran for and was elected California State President. During an FFA Conference at Galt High School in 1996, (between Stockton and Sacramento) James met another FFA member named Mandy. The attraction between two good FFA kids was inevitable.
James spent the next year after graduating from Hanford High traveling around California, representing the FFA as The FFA State President. At the conclusion of that year, he ran for national office, and in 1998 became the National FFA Vice President. He spent the following year traveling the United States representing the FFA.
He enrolled at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as an Ag Science major. Mandy accompanied him to SLO (as San Luis Obispo is often called). They both graduated in 2003 and were married. In 2004 Mandy landed a job at Galt High School teaching Agriculture. Today, she's the Chairman of the Agriculture Department at Liberty Ranch High School in Galt. James and Mandy have two youngsters. Jeffrey is 14 and a freshman at Liberty Ranch, and a “Green Hand” member of their FFA Chapter. Their girl, Carly, is 11 and in 6th Grade, loves horses and soccer, and has a 4-H Sheep project.
About the time James went into junior high, he became enthralled with the music of Johnny Cash. He acquired a guitar and began trying to accompany himself as he learned and sang the music made famous by “The Man in Black.” He begged his mother for guitar lessons so he could be as good as Johnny Cash. However, wanting to learn to play and being willing to do the work necessary to learn, were two different things. His guitar teacher was frustrated because he wasn't doing the assignments and it was glaringly obvious he hadn't practiced.
Still excited about being able to play the music of Johnny Cash, James began watching videos of performances until he picked up on the nuances and finer points. He would sit for hours playing for himself at home as this was 100 percent for his own enjoyment. Once he got to SLO, a group of fellow college students began going out to a Karaoke Club at least a couple times a month. Of course James Garner always sang the Johnny Cash tunes.
Even after they graduated, the old group of former college students would occasionally meet up for Karaoke. One evening in Lodi, they saw an ad for a Sunday Jam Session. The house band offered anyone who would like play or sing a couple of songs could do so with them as a backup.
The next Sunday James sang a couple of numbers with the band, and was urged to come back the following weekend. When he offered to bring his guitar they said that was even better. After a few more Sunday Jams, several band members expressed an interest in doing a show including stories about the music, the man, and the history of Johnny Cash.
By 2006, the concept of a “Tribute to Johnny Cash” show that would stand by itself was becoming more than just a fanciful idea. 2007 was spent putting the show together, and in 2008 they did 30 shows.
Even as a young teenager, James' goal in life was to interest his friends in the music of Johnny Cash. Of course many of his friends complained, “That's the old stuff my parents listen to. I want to hear something more modern.”
James has never been interested in simply singing the songs. He never wanted to play in a bar, just to make music. To James, singers who simply sing the words while strumming a guitar are “a dime a dozen.” He wants his audience to know more about Johnny Cash so you come away with a better understanding of his story, songs, and life.
James Garner's first love is the music, but the words are front and center. They are honest stories about love, life, farming, trains, even prison. “These are songs about things that are true today. They're not throw away pop songs. There's no Yahyah-yah in these lyrics.”