Fade to Black is the title of the newest CD from Tommy Cash, one of seven Cash children and the younger brother of music icon Johnny Cash.
“When you do something and you know it’s good, you feel a great sense of accomplishment,” writes Tommy in the record’s liner notes. “That’s the way I feel about this new CD.”
Cash Family's Legacy Grows with Country Music Tribute CD
The 15-song disc, which contains both classic and new tracks, is Tommy’s debut offering for the InLight Records label. Although Tommy’s scored hits on his own, there’s no disputing that his legendary brother cast a long shadow, and in such cases, it’s often difficult for the talented relatives of big stars—be it a son or daughter, brother or sister—to carve one’s own identity.
For example, country superstar Reba McEntire has not one but two singing siblings, brother Pake McEntire and sister Susie Luchsinger. While both had record deals of their own, the spotlight firmly favored Reba, who managed to score on the commercial country charts first.
Similarly, the Arkansas-born Tommy, as Johnny’s younger brother, surfaced on the country music scene behind his beloved brother; thus, comparisons were inevitable. Tommy did manage to make his own mark on country music, however, landing his first record deal in 1965 with Musicor, then a year later, joining the United Artists roster.
Tommy Cash Makes His Mark on the Country Music Charts
A veteran of the U.S. Army and one-time deejay for the American Forces Radio Network, Tommy just missed country music’s Top 40 in 1968 with his The Sounds of Goodbye single. But a year later, and as a recording artist for Epic, he notched the biggest hit of his career, Six White Horses, which was a song he dedicated to the late John F. and Robert Kennedy, as well as Martin Luther King.
The following year, in 1970, he delivered two Top-10 singles, One Song Away and Rise and Shine, along with one Top 20, I Recall a Gypsy Woman.
Throughout the years, Tommy has continued to tour both in the U.S. and abroad, including a summer 2008 tour that took him to Ireland, Scandinavia and Nova Scotia. Upon returning the States, Tommy—according to a message to fans on his Web site—entered the studio to begin work on his latest, Fade to Black.
Country Stars George Jones and Marty Stuart Duet with Tommy Cash
“It is most likely my very best work,” Tommy shares in an online message to fans. “The new CD contains a variety of material and duets, (including one) with Marty Stuart on Six White Horses. Additionally, Tommy’s son, Mark Cash, joins his dad on the CD to sing on a remake of I Walk the Line and lends harmony on San Quentin, both famous tunes that were inked by Johnny, as most country fans likely know.
Meanwhile, “The Possum” of country music, George Jones, also joins Tommy on his new album. The pair deftly tackled Some Kind of Woman, the CD’s lead-off number, which was a track co-penned years ago by Tommy with Jimmy Rodgers.
There’s no mistaking that Tommy is a Cash; it’s evident in his vocals. But he comes by it honestly, and who better to pay tribute to the great Johnny Cash?
Fade to Black: Tommy Cash Tips His Musical Hat to Country Music Legend Johnny Cash
“I included a few Johnny Cash songs on (Fade to Black) as a tribute to my wonderful late brother,” Tommy shared on his Web page. “I hope you enjoy my version of Ballad of a Teenage Queen, Get Rhythm, Ring of Fire and others, including Ragged Old Flag.”
Produced by InLight President Rick Lloyd, Fade to Black features well-done versions of non-Cash classics, too, including On the Wings of Dove and Skip A Rope. The tribute songs to Johnny are appropriately energetic and Tommy’s voice ensures they’re right at home among the 15-song collection. Yet Tommy’s original material is just that—all his own—and likely to earn him new fans, not merely solidify his already broad fan base, just as the duets are guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of true country fans.
"I grew up in northeast Arkansas, the youngest of seven children,” Tommy said in his artist biography. “I remember Mama and Daddy working long hours to provide for us and give us a Christian home ... (and) most of all, I remember a whole lot of love.
“My brother Johnny and I are the only two who made a career in the music business," he continued. "(And) sometimes I perform a musical ‘tribute’ to Johnny in my concerts.”
New Country Record Shines with Traditional Country Songs
The self-dubbed tribute CD may very well be Tommy’s strongest release to date, for there’s nary a weak groove to be found on Fade to Black, which shines from beginning to end. Or just perhaps, the younger Cash brother is simply a late bloomer.
No matter the case, in the closing words of the nearly 69-year-old Tommy's own bio, “the best is yet to come.”
For more information about Fade to Black, including audio samples, please access the InLight Records page.
Lisa L. Rollins - Texas native Lisa L. Rollins, Ph.D., is an award-winning feature writer, interviewer and journalism educator.
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