As if an invitation to play at the prestigious US Johnny
Cash Music Festival wasn’t enough -
the band has had a fantastic response from Johnny’s daughter to lead
singer Suzi Fray’s tribute song ‘Cinnamon Hill’.
The Nelson based Johnnys are off to the Johnny Cash Festival
in Ventura California in June and have been communicating with Cindy Cash, who
said of Suzi’s song: “I have
stopped my world tonight to listen to 'Cinnamon Hill' by Suzi Fray. WOW! I was
mesmerized. I cried as I heard my dad saying the same words that Suzi
sang.”
Inspired by Cash’s autobiography, Frays ‘Cinnamon Hill’
tells the story of Cash’s home in Jamaica and the sanctuary it provided from
the hard road of touring.
Fray uses some of Cash’s words in the lyrics and says she is
absolutely ‘blown away’ that her song rings true for Cindy.
“That’s what I was trying to achieve - I was just so moved when reading his
story that I wanted to communicate Johnny’s feelings in a very real and candid
way, in a human way not as star.”
Cindy also said that she loves the song and the band: “I am
completely taken aback by the voices and the words of this song. I couldn't be
happier or more proud to welcome this band to our festival. One thing I know
dad would say, 'An all girl band singing my songs. I want to hear this!' Oh,
how he did love the girls!”
The Johnnys will be playing ‘Cinnamon Hill’ Live for the
first time at The Johnny Cash Music Festival on June 16 as a personal tribute to
the Man in Black.
The
Johhnys are raising money to get to the festival and are selling gigs
‘Cash Up Front’ and holding
fundraising concerts including one
at The Boathouse on Friday 25 May, with the second at The Playhouse in Mapua on
Saturday 9 June.
