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Authentic tribute to the Man in Black

David James and Big River are often described as one of the most authentic Johnny Cash tribute shows
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David James and Big River take the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre stage for a revival of Johnny Cash classics Oct. 25. (Photo submitted)

“Hello. I’m almost Johnny Cash.”

David James and Big River are often described as one of the most authentic Johnny Cash tribute shows touring today, and they’re reviving Cash’s classic sound at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Oct. 25.

Thousands of fans agree with those reviews, as they routinely sell out shows in venues large and small across Canada and the U.S.

James and his band – Todd Sacerty on bass, Duncan Symonds on guitar and pedal steel, and Colin Stevenson on drums – look and sound like the legacy of the Man in Black, and when they step on stage, they live it.

From the way Cash holds his guitar to the way he talks to his audience, the legendary musician lives again when James steps to the mic and says, “Hello. I’m almost Johnny Cash.”

The professionalism of the musicians on and off stage is a testament to the memory of Cash that fans have come to expect from James and Big River. The extensive catalogue of songs, from classics like Walk the Line, Get Rhythm, and Boy Named Sue, to newer hits like Rusty Cage and Hurt, attracts audiences of young and old alike to relive the music of Cash.

James has dedicated himself to recreating an authentic tribute to Cash, focusing on not only his rich baritone, but also his mannerisms and his interaction with the crowd, whether it’s an intimate show in a high-end casino or an outdoor festival like the Calgary Stampede or the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in Vancouver.

“It’s not only about the voice,” James said. “It’s about living and breathing the man – his posture, his mannerisms, his moves, and his quirks. I want our audiences to go home feeling like they just observed the man himself.”

The Man in Black might be gone, but James and Big River are fulfilling the continuing demand for his music and keeping the memory of the legend alive in the hearts and minds of fans everywhere.

David James and Big River take the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre stage Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for $49.50 for all seats from the Ticket Seller, www.ticketseller.ca, 250-549-7469.