Johnny Cash Tribute Show Coming To Huntington: 'Come On Out'

HUNTINGTON, NY — Shawn Barker knows what it takes to be Johnny Cash.

Barker, who scored a role as Johnny Cash in the Broadway production of "Million Dollar Quartet" over two decades ago, said he made a "conscious decision" to develop Cash's mannerisms.

"When I got the role, just like any other actor, I did a character study," Barker told Patch. "I read the biographies, watched the videos, went out to Nashville, went to his house. I did anything I could do. That's just how you do a proper character study. I did anything I could get my hands on to further my character development."

And Barker is set to bring his "The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash" show back to Huntington at The Paramount at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21. People can purchase tickets here.

Since 2004, Barker has performed more than 1,000 shows in 12 countries, including shows in Australia, Europe, Canada and throughout the U.S., selling more than half a million tickets over the course of his career.

Barker, with strikingly similar looks to Cash, a baritone voice, and spot-on mannerisms, bears an uncanny resemblance to the original "Man in Black." He strives to revitalize the true character and spirit of Johnny Cash himself, an American musical icon.

The energetic show features Barker in character throughout the entire evening, walking the audience through each era of Cash’s life and music, including hits like "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk The Line," "A Boy Named Sue," "Hurt" and "Ring of Fire," complete with a full backing band.

Born and raised in a working-class suburb of St. Louis, Barker took a schoolboy love for singing in church with his family and turned it into a career.

Barker recalls his grandfather being a big fan of Johnny Cash.

"I could remember him playing Johnny's music when we would be on vacation together with my dad's mom and dad," Barker said. "He'd be playing old country music and Johnny Cash. That was probably the first thing I remember about Johnny Cash."

The "Man in Black" echoer said he always enjoyed listening to Cash and other older music with his grandfather, such as Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley jams.

The path to his current career wasn’t a straight line from gospel choir to Johnny Cash tribute act.

After serving in the United States Army, Barker returned home to Missouri, took a job as a carpenter, and spent his free time learning how to play the guitar. He developed strength and versatility in his voice by modeling his crooning on a cast of legends — Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, and Gene Vincent.

His performances quickly turned from hobby to profession, but Barker’s first touring gigs were portraying Presley — not Cash.

Barker tried auditioning for Elvis Presley in "Million Dollar Quartet" in 2004, but the director, Floyd Mutrux, saw someone else in Barker.

"He said, 'We could get a bunch of people to do Elvis,' but they literally were like, 'We haven't had anybody who could do Cash, yet,'" Barker recalled.

Barker believes Mutrux's decision had something to do with his personality and the way he sounded when he talked.

This will be the fourth or fifth time Barker brings his Cash act to Huntington, he said.

"We always get great crowds, though. If they've been there before, then they know what a great show it is and what kind of musicians we have. How much fun it is. If you're not a Cash fan, even, we've got some of the best musicians out of Los Angeles and Nashville to play the shows."

Barker praised The Paramount as a venue that stands out.

"It's not like a performing arts theater or a casino like we do a lot of times," he said. "It's more of a big rock club that's got some good history, so it's fun. It's more of an upbeat, kind of wilder rock type of an audience that we get to have there. It's a lot of fun, actually. That place is so cool. It's one of the cooler venues that we play."

Barker, currently touring, will trade in the tropical Key West, Florida, weather for snowy, frigid Long Island. With free time in his touring schedule, Barker and his crew spent it cruising on scooters and living on a 77-foot yacht in Key West for a few days.

The musician shared a message to Huntington residents and other Long Islanders.

"Come on out, man. Everybody needs to come out and check out the show on Feb. 21. It's going be next Friday. We're looking forward to it. It's a big change from Key West, Florida, to Long Island, New York, man. Come on out and check out the show and see my Key West tan that I picked up."