HAVING been a professional entertainer for 20 years, Daniel Thompson felt he had a degree of understanding and appreciation for the music of Johnny Cash.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, it wasn't until he decided to present a tribute show to the late music legend that he really began to comprehend Cash's personality and influence.
"It's one thing to sing a couple of hit songs, but getting into the character of the guy and learning what he was all about ... I feel quite fortunate to be able to do this," he said.
"Getting the chance to really get into his catalogue, and learn who he was and what he was about has made me a fan.
"A real fan."
The past five years have seen the Central Coast-based musician touring Johnny Cash: The Concert to more than 25,000 Australian Cash fans.
Thompson is back with In Solitary, an intimate portrait of the Man in Black, who died in 2003.
A different show to the Johnny Cash: The Concert performances, In Solitary focuses on a darker side of Cash, featuring songs spanning his entire career.
Thompson's special guest on the In Solitary tour is singer/songwriter, long-time friend and collaborator Mike Carr on piano, guitar and vocals.
Thompson said he was relishing the opportunity to tell fresh stories about Cash in a more intimate setting.
This included delving deeper into his vast catalogue.
"A lot of the newer generations of Cash fans have got into his music from the darker songs," Thompson said.
This belief is underlined by Cash's latter-day American series of albums, which rejuvenated his career.
Under the tutelage of producer Rick Rubin, songs such as his harrowing reinterpretation of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt added considerably to his legacy.
"The show is built around what he did with the American Recordings songs," Thompson said.
"It's songs from all throughout his career, but they are the basis, a starting point.
"With Hurt, it's two very different takes on the same song, but equally as dark."
Thompson said it was quite a skill for Cash to make those songs his own.
"Without that part of his career, he may have been resigned to just another country singer.
"He was able to show his versatility, even at 68, 70 years of age.
"He would have been a legend without those albums, but not to the extent he is now.
"It was a really pivotal part of his career."
In Solitary
Centro CBD, Wollongong,
Sunday, March 22
and
Jamberoo Pub
Thursday, April 9