Rusty Evans pays tribute to the Man in Black

Rock-a-billy Hall of Fame inductee Rusty Evans and Ring of Fire pay Tribute to The Man in Black - Johnny Cash at 7 p.m. Monday, June 7 in Carson Nugget's Banquet Room.

Evans began his musical journey in 1957, singing folk songs in Greenwich Village in New York with talented artists, including a then unknown Bob Dylan.

"Bob told me I sounded like (Johnny Cash) and said I should do some of his songs," Evans said. "Yes, I guess you could say this is Bob's fault."

Evans had met the legendary performer in the 1960s and was inspired by him, Evans recalled. His formative years had revealed a love of country music and he made it part of his mission to get others on board.

And though his earlier years were spent making a substantial name for himself in the music industry, including such endeavors as touring with the New Christy Minstrels, performing on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, Evans took a break to explore other creative interests - painting and printmaking among them.

"I took at least a 10-year break and have been on an odyssey back," Evans said.

The time away from the business as well as a few more years of wisdom, have allowed Evans to return with a more refined view of what makes things work. Part of the joy of this is having his son Danny Evans playing on stage with him each night.

"My son and I have played together since he was little so he is a great complement to what we do," Evans said, adding that he and his band do their own arrangements, rather than imitating Cash.

Evans' Tribute to the Man In Black, begins in the 1950s, moves into the 1960s and then into the more contemporary 1990s, a period in Cash's career that introduced him to a whole new generation. Evans weaves together 90 minutes of classic Cash, stories and a few originals.

"I'm not channeling Johnny or impersonating him, I am just carrying the torch," Evans said. "People say to me 'when we close our eyes we hear Johnny,' and that's rewarding."

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30 for premiere and section-A seating and $25 for section B, with open seating in all areas. Call 775-882-1626 ext. 251, for reservations or go to ccnugget.com. The Nugget is located at 507 N. Carson St. For more information about Rusty Evans, find him on Facebook.