CASH (Johnny Cash Tribute) At Manchester Academy 2018

As is so often the case with unique artists, it takes another one
to fully appreciate them. Having lived the life and music of Johnny Cash
and other country heroes who came before and since, Ben Welburn, aka
CASH, has effortlessly recreated the sound, vibe and appeal of the
master himself.

Growing up on a farm in the heart of Yorkshire,
music has always been central to Ben’s life. With a Grandfather who was
a big band drummer, and a Father with a vast musical collection
enthusiastically shared with whoever would listen, music was everywhere.
However, it was the music of a certain JR Cash that managed that rare
feat of stopping a young and energetic Ben in his tracks. It gave him
that first “light bulb” moment, as he recalls, “I had heard music
before, of course. But this voice. His voice. I mean it literally
brought me to a standstill. The words too. They just struck a chord with
me somewhere and I really felt I understood what he was saying. I got
this man, even as a child I could feel it”.

As a youngster, this
was the first time Ben had felt that deep connection with music and
lyrics. Although Ben didn’t know it at the time, Johnny Cash would also
come to be a very important figure in his life as an adult.

Investigating
the man further, Ben realised it wasn’t just Cash’s musicality that
they had in common. The way Cash stood up prolifically for the working
class, and wasn’t some clean cut musical ideal, only served to heighten
Ben’s appreciation of the man.

“JR has always been rough around
the edges and I don’t know why but I always felt I was born with an
outlaw’s approach to life. Not that I was out there robbing trains or
anything, but it was more of a mentality; just something inside of me
really”.

Aided by many late nights and a plentiful supply of
hard liquor, Ben would often sing Johnny Cash songs to his mates,
strumming along on acoustic guitar. Being a drummer first, it took a bit
of coaxing from family and friends before Ben decided to take the Cash
alter-ego seriously. “I have always felt a bit weird about pretending to
be anyone else other than myself, so the concept of being Johnny Cash
didn’t really appeal”, says Ben. “People were continuously telling me I
had to do something with all this Cash stuff, so I decided I would
start taking it more seriously, but the word tribute was key. I would
pay my respects to the man by getting his stuff out there again;
reaching out to established and new fans, but in no way would I try to
be him. That is just not doable in my eyes, so I don’t want people
thinking I think I am him. Cos I don’t!”